Specialist Glass Products invests £1.2m

Yorkshire-based glass manufacturer Specialist Glass Products has invested £1.2 million into new equipment to further enhance efficiency after receiving £840,000 in funding from Lombard.

The company is reported to be the first in the UK to acquire this machine at a jumbo size, allowing for larger-scale production without compromising on quality and value.

At Specialist Glass Products’ glass processing factory in Huddersfield, the new Systron proHD vertical glass processing machine will allow the firm to handle more jumbo glass orders up to 6,000mm x 3,210mm. Specialist Glass Products will also continue to process flat glass and curved glass orders to bespoke measurements.

The installation of the new machine is expected to enable Specialist Glass Products to drive turnover to £15m within two years, with sales growing by at least 10% per annum.

Andrew Taylor, managing director at Specialist Glass Products, commented: “The machine will help us streamline processes with automated services, enabling us to produce high-quality units more efficiently. Specifically, it will allow us to achieve excellent edge finishes more quickly and consistently, which ultimately benefits our customers by offering competitive lead times and maintaining the high standards of quality they expect.”

The new machine is multi-functional and can polish, grind, cut, and shape glass into any form. It also allows for the production of 120 fully finished panels daily. This ensures that the glass manufacturer can continue to work with bespoke designs, especially those requiring identical units of the same shape and size.

Standout features of the new machine that will enhance production include consistent polishing quality with precise control over polishing pressure, guaranteed arris parallelism due to patented water-cushion guidance, vibration-free processing to prevent chipping, and protected suction cups to prevent damage during the manufacturing process.

Andrew added: “This new processing machine is part of our broader strategic investment plan and highlights our commitment to pushing the boundaries of glass processing. Following on from our significant £1.75 million investment in 2023/24, which saw the acquisition of a jumbo cutting machine, two polishing machines (both vertical and horizontal), and a CNC processor, this new addition further strengthens our capabilities.

“It will not only streamline our capacity but also positions us to lead in delivering cutting-edge solutions to meet evolving market demands. It’s an exciting step forward in our mission to innovate, diversify, and grow sustainably.”