IGU manufacturer, Cleartherm, has invested in an automated Super Spacer application line. The Leicester-based company was an early adopter of the technology, becoming only the third UK company to acquire an automated Forel Super Spacer hot melt line in 2006.

“When we first started using Super Spacer, we applied it by hand,” explained Cleartherm managing director, David Laing.

“Then, following a visit to America, we saw an automated hot melt sealant line for the first time. That was a real ‘wow’ moment for us. We had seen the future.

“We knew we had to incorporate automation technology in what we did – and before long, we’d acquired only the third automated hot melt line in the UK.

“With automation, the quality is far superior, unit processing is much faster, and you can make considerable savings on labour,” he continued.

“We were reminded just how much automation has improved our lives back in December, when our previous automated line was taken out.

“For the last week of 2022 and the start of 2023, we had to process all our IGUs manually – every member of the work force was counting down the days until the new line was up and running!”

Cleartherm’s recent spending is the latest in a series of investments, which include a new toughening plant, a high-speed cutting and loading centre, upgrading its 7.5/18 ton delivery vehicles, and installing a 90kw solar panel system.