Westcountry Glass, part of the Cornwall Glass Group, has increased its capabilities with the purchase of a Lambert GT Services Limited toughening plant. It is anticipated that the factory will begin production at its new site at the end of the year.
Westcountry Glass, part of the Cornwall Glass Group, has increased its capabilities with the purchase of a Lambert GT Services Limited toughening plant. The plant is the first piece of major processing machinery for its new factory in Plymouth, and also the first of its type in the UK, enabling production of toughened glass up to 2850mm x 4200mm in size.
Lambert GT Services Limited is supplying and installing the AG-Series Gapless Forced Convection Glass Tempering Furnace and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Westcountry Glass. The new 5th generation furnace has the benefits of superior product quality, higher efficiency and easier processing control. The furnace has an intelligent temperature control module with a more accurate heating zone, along with technology to avoid overheating of glass edges and thermal stress spots caused by uneven hot air backflow.
Peter Lambert from Lambert GT Services Limited has been associated with manufacturing tempering systems for over 30 years and designing his own machines for over 20 years.
“Northglass already have installations in most of the major glass companies in Europe. Now, with the Cornwall Glass Group added to that list of high profile customers, so does the UK. Lambert GT Services are extremely pleased and privileged to be associated with Cornwall Glass on this project” said Peter.
The impressive toughening plant will complement the next stage of machine investments including a unit line capable of producing oversized units in the region of 4000mm x 2700mm. The machinery will give the group new manufacturing capabilities and possibilities, and offer customers a much wider range of products and processing.
Mark Norcliffe, a Company Director of the Cornwall Glass Group and Martin Saint, General Manager of St Austell, Westcountry’s largest manufacturing site, visited many installations running a variety of different furnace types both in the UK and Europe, before making the decision to purchase the Northglass AG Gapless Furnace. “We look forward to a long partnership with Lambert GT Services Ltd,” said Mark.
“This new machine will complement our three current furnaces and open up many new opportunities for Westcountry Glass and the Branch Network of Cornwall Glass. Our team is very excited with the prospect of being able to produce toughened glass for both single and IGUs to the new maximum sizes now available, and being able to offer new products and capabilities to both current customers and new clients”.
It is anticipated that the factory will begin production at its new site at the end of the year.
Westcountry Glass, part of the Cornwall Glass & Glazing Group is a major manufacturer and supplier of double and triple glazed sealed units, toughened glass and supplier of an extensive range of glass items such as splashbacks and glass shelving through to mirrors and various other glazing products. With over 35 years of experience, the local family-run company currently operates 15 sites from Penzance to Bristol, and with over 200 staff it continues to grow year after year.