What’s Happening – Events

The company is carrying out a major construction programme to completely re-build and install a state-of the-art float glass furnace, as well as upgrade other areas of the factory, which will secure the long-term supply of consistently high-quality, high-performance glass for the window and door market and wider construction sector in the UK.

Due to be completed by late summer, the installation of the enlarged capacity furnace will replace the existing furnace that has reached the end of its design life, having been installed in 2000 when the factory was built, supported by an extensive Project Team, including Stefano Smith (Associate, Spawforths) leading on planning and environmental matters.  The new furnace will use less energy and will help the company to optimise manufacturing efficiency increase manufacturing automation and increase production capacity.

This will contribute to the commitment made globally by Saint-Gobain in 2019 to achieving net zero carbon by 2050 and will help in delivering its new purpose of ‘Making the World a Better Home’, in recognition of the need to protect our planet and invent a more sustainable future.

Steve Severs, Managing Director at Saint Gobain Glass said:

“This is a major milestone in the history of our business.  It demonstrates our commitment to the long-term future of glass manufacturing in the UK and our confidence in the wider construction industry and UK manufacturing sector.  The new facility is designed to manufacture high-performance products developed in the UK to meet the specific needs of the UK window industry”.

“The project has been several years in development and planning to ensure continuity of supply for our customers throughout the construction process. This has involved stock build-up in advance and imports of glass from our Saint-Gobain sister plants in Europe which will help to fulfil orders throughout the process. I am grateful for everyone’s support and commitment and look forward to the official opening later in the year.”

“Saint-Gobain has a long history of glass making, stretching back over 350 years.  We are very experienced in delivering these complex high-value engineering projects, supported by highly skilled in-house technical and engineering teams. And of course, strict measures are being deployed to ensure the works are delivered in a COVID-19 compliant way.”