Flat Glass Solutions has been combining world class technology with class leading customer service for UK glass and IGU manufacturers for over a decade. We catch up with managing director, David Cahill, to find out more.

Established in 2014, Flat Glass Solutions (FGS) has grown to become one of the most respected suppliers to IGU manufacturers and glass companies throughout the UK, success that has been built on high quality service and a commitment to delivering world class machinery.

For David Cahill, managing director, the aim of setting up FGS just over a decade ago was to clear – he wanted to introduce the UK market to new and exciting technology, to transform manufacturing with advanced, pioneering solutions, while giving customers the same kind of service they would expect from a local, domestic supplier.

“I’ve been involved in glass processing for the best part of 30 years now,” says David, or ‘Oz’ as he affectionately known by many. “Mine is an engineering background, so first and foremost I’m passionate about the machinery, how the latest automation can improve efficiencies, enhance quality, increase volumes or even help introduce completely new product ranges.

“When I launched Flat Glass Solutions my primary objective was to use my experience to assist IGU and glass manufacturers, to put them in front of machinery that they may have not even have known about or considered before, and bring world class engineering into UK factories.

“Over a decade later, and we’re still pushing forward with cutting edge solutions, raising standards and responding to the demands of modern manufacturing and supply.”

Taking a global view on glass processing innovation, part of David’s remit is to extol the virtues of working with China, something that he admits can initially raise questions with some customers, particularly regarding quality and supply chain resilience.

However, he insists that while China and Chinese manufacturing can sometimes get a bad name, the reality is that the quality and professionalism of product from the Far East is ‘staggering’.

“It can often be raised in those opening discussions, but my response is always the same. Until you’ve made a few trips out to China and witnessed first-hand how things are done, you simply can’t comprehend the level at which they operate,” he says.

“When you visit IGU production facilities in China for example, where they produce thousands of units daily matching any international standards, only then can you appreciate that they really are at the cutting edge of automation technology.

“And it’s this technology that we are helping to bring to factories in the UK.”

Exhibiting at the 2025 FIT Show helped to highlight how FGS has grown since its inception just over a decade ago, especially as it proved the perfect opportunity to introduce a new engineering manager and a new operations manager, appointments that served to further enhance the locally based and industry leading service and support to customers.

“FIT Show was a big success for us,” continued David. “We were able to engage with new prospects, connect with new clients and showcase exciting developments within the business. That included our expanded team here in the UK as well as highlighting our long-term collaboration with European partners, Viprotron and Dieffe.”

Looking to the future

As the industry gears up for a new year, and with consumer confidence largely still suppressed under broader economic conditions, we ask David his thoughts on what to expect in the months ahead.

Are we ready for growth or will the industry continue to stagnate?

“There’s no doubt that it’s been a tough 12 months or so, but when it comes to relatively big capital expenditure, we typically find that investments follow conversations that might span several years,” says David. “As a result, we tend to try and ignore what’s going on in the economic short term and look to the long term, because if you’re in it for the long term, with the right machinery and processes in place, that’s where you will find growth”.

“Ultimately, it all comes back to providing that level of personal service that we’ve set out to deliver for our customers,” he concludes. “We’re here to sit down with a coffee and run through problems and propose solutions on the ground, whether they’re £15k or £500k. It’s all part of the journey and we’re looking forward to having plenty more of those conversations – preferably over a hot cuppa! – throughout 2026 and beyond.”