Going against recent market trends, DB Glass, a manufacturer of sealed units based in Newton Abbot, south west England, is investing GBP 3.2 million and creating 20 jobs.
DB Glass, which is a subsidi…
Going against recent market trends, DB Glass, a manufacturer of sealed units based in Newton Abbot, south west England, is investing GBP 3.2 million and creating 20 jobs. DB Glass, which is a subsidiary of the publicly-listed Epwin Group, is moving part of its operations to 1858 sq meter premises located opposite the original site. The new operation will be dedicated to toughening glass. Over the next six months, extra jobs will be created at both sites through further investment said Jim Rawson, chairman of Epwin Group. DB Glass makes up to 14,000 sealed units a week using 150 tonnes of glass and employs 140 people. Upgrading of the firm“s old factory took ten months. Steve Webber, general manager of DB Glass, said: “As the site was originally marshland the floor strengthening was achieved by deep piling 180 concrete-filled steel columns to a depth of nine metres to support a concrete raft over the glass storage area.” The investment is a response to higher demand for toughened glass. As a result of recent building legislation, safety glass has become compulsory in high risk locations such as doors and low level glazing. DB“s toughened glass is five times stronger than ordinary glass. Mr Webber added: “Previously we were buying in all our toughened glass from a variety of suppliers around the country. Some weeks as many as 7,000 pieces were purchased. “As the window industry matures, service and quality becomes even more crucial to our customers. This investment allows us to be in full control of this vital aspect of the business by enabling us to provide our own toughened glass.”