Welcome to the 69th Clemson Brick Forum 2023
The 69th Clemson Brick Forum will be held Monday October 2nd and Tuesday October 3rd in Anderson, South Carolina near both the Clemson University Campus and the National Brick Research Center. While there are issues that have not changed much since the first Forum in 1955, I often wonder what the people from early Forums would think of the Brick Industry today. I imagine that they would be amazed by the automation and productivity gains that we have made, but baffled by some of the environmental and sustainability challenges that we now face as an industry. The program that we have put together for this year’s Forum focuses on just these issues.
One thing that has not changed is that the Clemson Brick Forum is a meeting for brickmakers with presentations by brickmakers. This open exchange of information is one of the things that makes this meeting different from other similar meetings. For the first time in at least 10 years, we are going to hear about the startup of a new plant. On Monday we will also have a number of presentations on plant upgrades, innovations, sustainability and wall systems. On Tuesday we will have presentations on means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and best practices. Along with the technical program we will also have some special events. There is a Vitreus-sponsored Wine Hour planned for Monday evening, and there is the J. C. Steele cookout reception planned for Tuesday evening. And of course, the steak cookout, always a highlight of the Forum, is planned for Tuesday evening-- we are ready to light the grills!
We hope that you can join us. For more information on the schedule, the presentations, and how to register, please go to 2023 Clemson Brick Forum - National Brick Research Center (brickandtile.org).
Sincerely,
John Sanders
Director – The National Brick Research Center
