Ritec International has with sadness announced that Stephen Byers, its co-founder and managing director, as well as co-developer of its ClearShield System, died peacefully on Saturday, March 6, aged 79, after suffering from pneumonia.

Friends and colleagues paid tribute, saying: “Stephen and his wife and business partner Karen are well-known figures in the glass industry both in the UK and internationally. The inseparable team set out over 40 years ago to challenge the glass industry and transform perceptions and attitudes towards the protection and maintenance of glass surfaces. They displayed staunch determination and admirable dedication to raising awareness on the corrosion of glass, and most importantly how it may be avoided or corrected. And their efforts paid off.

“Stephen and Karen single-handedly created a new and global industry for the protection of glass surfaces now firmly and permanently accepted by the whole of the glass and construction industry. Their award-winning ClearShield System (later rebranded the ClearShield Eco-System) for the renovation, protection and maintenance of glass, pioneered and still continues to be a leader in ‘non-stick’, easy-clean glass surface technology.

“Stephen worked relentlessly with the Glass & Glazing Federation to begin the development of some industry standards, and to make health & safety and ethics driving factors in the growth of this new industry. Today their technology is used in more than 70 countries on commercial and residential buildings as well as on ships and other transport vehicles, and in many other applications. But also lesser known, Stephen and Karen introduced crucial innovations such as a ground-breaking system for the protection of glass and ceramic electrical insulators with their VoltShield System.”

Stephen and Karen’s achievements were recognised in 2019 by the GGF when they were honoured with an award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry. They are pictured here receiving the award from the organisation’s then president, John Agnew.

Karen Byers said in her own tribute: “I feel privileged to have enjoyed such a wonderful life with Stephen and to have shared the excitements and challenges of creating amazing innovations with him. I am determined more than ever to keep Ritec International running smoothly, feeling great strength to ensure its prosperity so that Stephen’s legacy may live on for many years to come”.

Karen and the rest of the Ritec team have assured that the company’s activities will carry on uninterrupted in honour of Stephen.Messages of condolence may be sent to condolences@ritec.co.uk

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