In the world of high technology, some materials remain in the shadows, yet no laboratory can function without them. Quartz glass is one such material. It is indispensable in electronics, medicine, chemistry, and pharmaceuticals, but only a few know how to work with it.
Aleksandr Drozdov is a hereditary glassblower and the founder of a workshop that, since 2012, has produced unique custom items for Russia’s largest enterprises. His story is an example of how tradition can become the foundation for a high-tech business.
Aleksandr, many peole associate glassblowing with artistic craft, while you work in a scientific-industrial field. How does your path differ?
— They are indeed very different directions. Artistic glass is about aesthetics and beauty. Scientific glassblowing is about precision. Every millimeter and every degree matters. I make precision components that are later used in chemical reactors, medical equipment, or electronic installations. A mistake can cost millions.
What was decisive for you when you decided to start your own production?
— I realized the niche was almost empty. My father was a glassblower, and I grew up in that environment. After university, I saw an opportunity to combine his experience with modern business approaches. I bought equipment, redesigned a lot, and officially started in 2012. Within a year, it became clear that the business was viable.
Your business became profitable very quickly. How do you explain this result?
— First, demand is always there. Scientific glass is needed by dozens of enterprises, but specialists are rare. Second, word of mouth worked wonders. Our first major client was a chemical production plant in Khimki. We helped them scale up, they kept us busy, and that was the start. From there, clients shared contacts among themselves.
You often emphasize that your advantage over foreign competitors is speed. How does that work in practice?
— Companies need quick results. In China, production can take two to three months. If there’s a mistake in a batch, it takes even longer. We can produce or repair an item in just a few days. For businesses, this is critical. That’s why companies prefer to have their unique components made by us.
Today your workshop works with large enterprises. What builds client trust in you?
— Patience and willingness to take responsibility. We explain complex technical issues to managers in simple terms, debate and prove new approaches to engineers. Sometimes we even make prototypes at our own expense to convince clients. But that’s exactly what builds trust: when a client sees you are willing to take risks for results.
Which projects do you consider milestones in your career?
— Repairing a quartz bath for the Mikron plant in Zelenograd. It was a massive component requiring incredible precision, and we completed it in a short time. For me, this confirmed that our workshop can handle federal-level tasks.
How many people work with you?
— Practically two: me and my father. Occasionally, we bring in freelance specialists, but the core is always the two of us. The work is complex, requiring years of training, so finding and educating people is extremely difficult.
Why is the staffing problem so acute in your field?
— Because there’s no systematic training. Soviet-era specialists are retiring, and new ones aren’t being trained. There are almost no colleges or courses for glassblowers, and companies don’t teach it either. The craft requires at least six years of practice, which is why the market is emptying.
What has changed in the industry over the last ten years?
— Precision requirements have grown. Modern equipment like CNC machines and laser systems has appeared. But specialized machines are expensive, so we adapt what we have. Artificial intelligence hasn’t yet reached this field, but it’s only a matter of time.
How do you assess Russia’s role in the scientific glass market?
— Let’s say this: we have potential in this niche. But without a systematic approach, we risk losing specialists. There’s domestic demand from medicine to space technology, but if experts disappear, we will remain dependent on imports.
A personal question: how do you experience working with glass yourself?
— For me, it’s almost meditative. There’s fire, a quartz tube, and hands. In that interaction, an object is created that later serves science. It’s a combination of craft and precise engineering. I think that’s why I’m in this profession: it gives a rare sense of contributing to something greater.
If you could pass on one quality to young people entering the profession, what would it be?
— Patience. Without it, nothing works here. Mistakes are costly, and corrections take time. A student may spend years just observing before being trusted with serious work. But with patience, the profession opens up vast horizons.
People often say plastic is replacing glass. Do you agree?
— No. In some areas, plastic is more convenient, but where heat resistance or chemical inertness is required, there’s no alternative. In medicine, chemistry, and electronics, quartz is indispensable.
How do you see the future of your workshop?
— I want it to remain alive. Hopefully, we can attract apprentices and pass on our experience. The market will grow: electronics and medicine are expanding, so demand for quartz glass will only increase. The question is whether there will be enough specialists to meet that demand.
