Wally Blattner: Building Something Worthwhile and Doing Something Good
The CEO of Glory Bomb AG on a career that began in Durban and took him through Swiss aviation, why relationships matter as much as technical skill, and how every can sold gives something back.
Few careers follow the path their owners planned. For Wally Blattner, CEO of Glory Bomb AG, that unpredictability has been the common thread: a journey shaped by curiosity, hard work and a willingness to take an opportunity when it appears.
“Looking back, very little of my journey was planned,” he says. “But I think that’s what shaped me most: stay curious, work hard, adapt and don’t be afraid to take an opportunity when it comes along.”
From Durban to Switzerland
Wally was born and raised in Durban, South Africa. After finishing high school in 1993, he travelled to Switzerland with the intention of exploring Europe. Things turned out differently.
“Well, I got ‘stuck’ here,” he says. He began learning German and eventually made Switzerland his home.
He started out as a motorcycle technician before moving into aviation, completing his aircraft mechanic trade at ZIMEX Aviation in Zürich. He later became a Licensed Aircraft Engineer at Swiss International Air Lines and worked as a contractor covering maintenance peaks for various companies in Switzerland. From there, he moved into management and sales with AvTech, RUAG and Honeywell Aerospace.
Outside of work, Wally is married with two adult children. His family remains a constant source of motivation and, as he puts it, keeps everything in perspective.
Lessons From Twenty-Five Years in Aviation
Over more than 25 years in the industry, Wally learned that technical knowledge matters, but it is only part of the picture.
“Technical knowledge is important,” he says, “but relationships, trust and keeping your word are just as important.”
In 2019, he co-founded Glory Bomb AG, opening what he describes as another completely different chapter in his life.
Leading Through People, Curiosity and Challenge
What gets Wally out of bed each day is a combination of people, curiosity and the challenge of building something worthwhile. He enjoys solving problems and creating an environment where people feel trusted and have the opportunity to succeed.
Even after more than two decades in aviation and with Glory Bomb now taking shape, his drive has not faded. “I still love the challenge of seeing what we can achieve next,” he says. “I’ve never been very good at standing still!”
A Business That Gives Something Back
Ask Wally what makes him proudest about Glory Bomb, and the answer is its ability to grow a business while giving something back.
For every can sold, the company contributes 5 cents towards water projects in South Africa, Wally’s home country. Having grown up there, he says, the cause is very close to the team’s hearts.
The company’s registered trademark, “Do Something Good,” sums up what the brand wants to stand for. “It’s a small contribution with every can, but as we grow, so does the impact,” he says. “Every can counts.”
A Productive Day Starts with a Can
Wally’s approach to productivity is refreshingly simple. When he arrives at the office, one of the first things he does is chug a Glory Bomb.
“Then it’s on to emails, calls, customer meetings and focusing on the continued strategic growth with my team and any challenges the day brings”.
His productivity secret fits in a single line: “Get up, show up, chug a Glory Bomb, and get on with it.”
Competing as an Independent Brand
Building Glory Bomb in such a competitive market is, in Wally’s view, the company’s biggest ongoing challenge. As an independent brand, it does not have the budgets of the big players, so it has to be creative, persistent and personal.
The team’s response is to get out and meet customers, let people experience the product first-hand and listen to their feedback. Wally’s years in sales prepared him well for this. “I learned not to fear hearing ‘no’,” he says. “Quite often, it simply means ‘not yet’.”
His approach is clear: “Keep showing up, deliver what you promise and never give up on something you believe in.”
Advice for the Next Generation
For anyone starting out in the industry today, Wally’s advice begins with curiosity. “Stay curious, learn the basics and never underestimate the power of relationships,” he says. “Be honest, keep your word and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.”
He also encourages newcomers to stay flexible about where their careers lead. “Your career won’t always follow the path you planned. Mine certainly didn’t. Stay open to opportunities, take a few calculated risks and learn from the people around you.”
His closing principle is straightforward: “Most importantly, work hard, stay humble and enjoy the ride.”
