Pro Installer October 2016 - Issue 43 | Page 10

10 OCTOBER 2016 PRO INSTALLER PRO NEWS www.proinstaller.co.uk MORLEY GLASS INVESTS IN AUTOMATION Morley Glass & Glazing has installed an automated 58-metre long sealed unit production line as part of its £1m move to new premises. The company’s new 46,000 sq ft premises in Leeds, West Yorkshire, is said to be the world’s largest dedicated factory for manufacturing ScreenLine® integral blinds into insulating glass units. Ian Short, managing director of Morley Glass & Glazing said: “The new premises give us the opportunity to design the space in exactly the way that we need it to be. It will be a bespoke integral blinds manufacturing facility. We’re investing in the latest automated technology with a new Best Makina fully automatic sealed unit assembly line, which is less labour intensive, improves the efficiency of our production line and enhances the quality of the finished product. It’s capable of producing 3m x 2.5m sealed units and the automation means that there is less handling of the glass – and therefore less potential for damage.” Arriving in Leeds with a vehicle escort from Turkey, the new machine was packaged in three huge containers and installed by six engineers in just one week. Ian added: “It is a very robust machine and the first of its kind to be installed in the UK. It has an automated gas press and robot gun that utilises three different types of sealants: hot melt for traditional sealed units, silicone sealed for structural glazing and Kommerling GD115 polysulphide for fire-glass as well as being used as our primary sealant for sealed units. With using Best Makina they have a philosophy that one size doesn’t fit all, and have made the complete line tailored to suit our needs. The machinery also comes with a two-year warranty. “The three tonne washing machine even recycles its final rinse water, which is used to clean the brushes in a pre-wash cycle, helping to maintain the machine’s components, keeping it clean and free of debris, and ensuring the quality of the finished products. “The new premises also give us the space to increase our product range. We’ll soon be launching fire-rated Uni-Blinds® as well as a home automation interface that enables window and door installers to easily incorporate motorised integral blinds within home automation systems. “And to complement our exclusive S159 (equivalent to RAL7016) anthracite grey colour we also have another exclusive product coming out. The SL16C blind system (24mm over all DGU) is available in three colours. These new product developments show how we are continually striving to satisfy the market demands for integral blind systems.” Morley Glass has achieved 30% year-on-year growth as demand continues to increase for its Uni-Blind® sealed units with ScreenLine® blinds inside. For more information about Uni-Blinds® visit www.morleyglass.co.uk Profile 22 Optima Reaches G Awards Profile 22 Optima has been chosen by judges as a finalist in two key categories in this year’s closely observed G Awards. The achievement continues a ‘superb year’ in which Epwin Window Systems division carried out what was said to be the biggest new systems launch that the industry has seen for a decade. Featuring in both the ‘New Product of the Year’ and ‘Promotional Campaign of the Year – Trade’ categories, the new window and door system was designed to offer fabricators and installers a ‘total’ system, to include a full range of products and customer support packages from day one. Becoming a finalist in these categories was therefore highly appropriate, said Epwin. “I am delighted to have reached the finals of the G Awards, especially in these key categories,’ said Clare O’Hara, managing director of Epwin Window Systems. “It will be a very tense evening during the awards waiting for the results. But whatever the outcome, this is evidence of the progress we have made in a very short time. A great effort by our team and our customers.” Flush Casement Optima Chamfered Optima Sculptured Flush Tilt & Turn