Custom Glass, Liverpool, is due to receive Glaston’s FC Series tempering furnace line in June. The company had positive experiences with three Bystronic glass, now Glaston, insulated glass (IG) lines over the years, and the FC Series will be its first investment in a Glaston tempering line.
When a fire broke out at a neighbouring facility in 2019, it engulfed one-third of the Custom Glass factory. “This severely affected our production and turnover at the time, along with our ability to grow and develop,” recalled Jeff Hooson, Custom Glass’ managing director. “Although we struggled in the beginning to rebuild, the fire forced us into a position to invest in new cutting and tempering machines. We could either shrink back, or take the opportunity to become one of the largest IGU processors in the UK.”
Today, Custom Glass has two, fully robotic Bystronic IG lines and refurbished existing equipment. Aiming for 20–40% growth in IG units, it did not have the capacity to temper them all – until this year’s investment. “The FC Series is the last piece in the jigsaw puzzle for me,” said Jeff. “Glaston is a brand that has been around for a long time and has an established history. I genuinely believe they are masters of what they do. And the technology they provide is what we need.”
Jeff continued to say that the new FC Series tempering line would allow his company to produce the high optical quality required for today’s tempered glass. “We’ll be able to produce better quality glass and win projects where high-tempered glass quality is a requirement,” he added, allowing Custom Glass to better serve both domestic and commercial glass jobs more professionally.
