Japanese glass producer Asahi Glass is to build a new plant in Jakarta, Indonesia, and will begin production there in 1998. As part of Asahi“s aim to strengthen autoglass operations in Asia, expansio…
Japanese glass producer Asahi Glass is to build a new plant in Jakarta, Indonesia, and will begin production there in 1998. As part of Asahi“s aim to strengthen autoglass operations in Asia, expansion plans are also under consideration for facilities in the Philippines, Taiwan and Malaysia. The company is looking at a production point in China, as well. By 1999, Asahi Glass expects to double autoglass revenues from the current level to JPY 35 billion. That would give the company a 25% slice of the world market. Furthermore, Asahi Glass has invested JPY 6-7 billion to increase its production of sheet glass in the Czech Republic by the end of 1996. The investment involves a new production line at Glavunion, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Glaverbel SA, which is majority-held by Asahi. The new line will be capable of producing 300 tonnes daily, raising the company“s capacity to 600 tons, the largest glass-sheet output in central Europe. The glass, to be sold in the republic and other central and eastern European countries, will be used for buildings and automobiles. Asahi Glass expects sheet-glass sales in the region to expand 10% annually. The region has been accommodating major manufacturers such as Sony Corp. and General Motors Corp., both of whom have moved into Poland.