Glass & Sealed Units
Two ‘ Glass Industry Oscars ’ Go To …
» SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS WAS RECOGnised as the Glass Company of the Year – at the glass industry Oscars , the G22 Awards – for its commitment and investment in the industry . Last year it invested more than £ 30 million in its site in Eggborough , which included the installation of a new state-of the-art float glass furnace , and refurbishment and redevelopment of associated areas of its factory . The project was one of the fastest ‘ cold-repair ’ upgrades of a float-glass furnace – 117 days ’ glass-to-glass .
The investment has secured the longterm supply of consistently high-quality , high-performance glass for the UK ’ s glazing and window industry , cementing the company ’ s position as a critically important supplier to the sector .
Production Specialist Will Ruane was named the winner in the Unsung Hero category . He joined the company as an intern in finance department , took an interest in glass production and is now on a development and training programme to achieve a senior management role in Float Glass manufacturing .
He played a vital role in the project to install the new furnace . His dedication , work-ethic and infectious positive attitude helped the team to deliver a hugely complicated project on time and on budget against the additional complication of tight COVID working restrictions .
He subsequently suffered a life-changing accident and is now wheelchair-bound but returned to work within six months and continues to be a valuable and proactive member of the team .
Steve Severs managing director at Saint-Gobain Glass said : “ This is a fantastic achievement for the whole team and hugely rewarding for Will . The G22 Award comes immediately after winning two awards in the Glass Focus Awards where our project The Spark was awarded Design of the Year – Flat Glass , and we also won the Strengthening business through people award .
“ These four awards have been won for our work and achievements during a couple of difficult years and demonstrate the commitment and resilience of the team – as well as the team ’ s continued passion for the industry .”
www . saint-gobain-glass . com
Broadening horizons
» IF YOU ’ RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO own a property that offers you stunning sunsets over the sea , you ’ re going to want to make the most of the views . And , for the developers of a low-rise block of premium apartments in Devon with just this outlook , TuffX provided the perfect solution for how to achieve it .
TuffX supplied 69 units comprising 21.5mm and 17.5mm toughened and laminated glass panels , each 1200mm in height . As well as clear glass units , TuffX also supplied panels with a satin privacy finish so that each apartment could enjoy
unimpeded balcony views of the ocean to the front of them while also retaining privacy from their neighbours to the side , who would no doubt be doing the same . In total , TuffX delivered 155m 2 of specialist glass to the site in Exeter . The near-invisible frameless glass balustrades completed the outside space for each apartment , which have full-width floor-toceiling sliding glass doors for access . Which means , whether the occupants are outside on the balcony or inside with the doors closed , the same unbroken stunning sea views can be enjoyed across the bay . www . tuffxglass . co . uk
58 FEBRUARY 2023 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM