Record year for Unilam
Unilam has reported its busiest year ever for IG and laminating solutions. With strong demand throughout 2022, the company delivered five, fully automatic IGIS sealed unit lines and seven Sagertec laminating systems.
A long-established supplier of innovative and intelligent automated solutions for glass production, Unilam is said to be best known for its Cooltemper range of toughening plants, and over the last 10 years has evolved its offer further to include IG lines and EVA/PVB laminating systems.
According to Unilam, its IGIS sealed unit lines and Sagertec laminating systems have proved to be particularly popular, with strong demand from customers even during the pandemic.
Unilam is also looking set for a busy 2023, despite the economic forecast, with the first of five Cooltemper toughening plants delivered over the Christmas period.
The latest machine being installed is a landmark project for the company, as it is being supplied to one of Unilam’s original Cooltemper customers and will be replacing a 25-year-old plant.
According to Unilam’s Nolan Millard, the new Cooltemper Jetstream RT will help to dramatically reduce energy consumption whilst allowing a significant increase in glass volume, both of which are major advantages given the current energy crisis and labour shortage situation.
“We are extremely proud to have offered the market leading Cooltemper range of toughening plants and heat soak ovens for over 27 years, making us probably the longest standing independent supplier of the same brand of toughening plant in the UK,” said Nolan.
“Working with Cooltemper for such a long time has given Unilam unrivalled levels of knowledge on our machines which, along with our team of eight service engineers and over £250,000 of spare parts stocked in our 16,000ft2 facility in Leeds, enables the service and support on which we have built our business and reputation.
“It’s a testament to the quality and reliability of Cooltemper products to think machines up to 25 years old are still in operation and overseen by Unilam,” he continued. “This gives new customers the confidence in what they are investing in and that their supplier will be around for the next 25 years!
“Our focus for 2023 is to build on our already strong team of engineers as well as invest further in additional stock holding of parts and the implementation of an online spares catalogue.”
Nolan adds that, in an increasingly demanding marketplace, customers place even greater emphasis on the level of support machinery suppliers can offer.
“We view our customers as partners, and we aim to continuously improve our service which we believe is key to ensuring successful business for both parties,” he said.
“Our emphasis on service and support has paid off with sales remaining strong even in the face of uncertain conditions created by the pandemic.”
In addition to machinery, Unilam is also the largest supplier of EVA laminating film in the UK, through its sister company, Specialist Laminates.
As the name suggests Unilam is no stranger to laminated glass also, and through its sister company Specialist Laminates is the largest supplier of EVA laminating film in the UK.
The Leeds based specialist in EVA film and ancillary laminated products is entering into its 12th year of supplying Unilam EVA film to the UK market.
“The continued, upward rise in demand for our Unilam EVA and Sagertec laminating systems has allowed us to make great strides in assuring continuity of supply and furthering our product testing to retain our position and standing in the market,” said Nolan.
“Our Unilam EVA comprises raw materials from DuPont in Japan giving the highest levels of clarity with superior technical and strength characteristics. Our testing is completed by TUV and we have the highest classification level for EN12600.”
