Hourglass is said to be one of the UK’s leading glass manufacturers – and, over a seven-year partnership with Edgetech, the firm says that its products have gone from strength to strength.
The company claims that a fully-automated Super Spacer line has allowed it to drastically streamline its manufacturing operation.
Founded in 1975, Hourglass began life making decorative glass. It is said to have expanded rapidly in the decades that followed, beginning to perform all its own bending, UV bonding, laminating, metal work and decorative finishes on-site, and completing work on projects as varied as the Royal Barge, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Tower of London and F1 team McLaren’s Technology Centre.
Today, the Gloucester-based business is able to offer one of the widest selections of bespoke glass products in the country – thanks in part to Edgetech’s innovation, as Claire Miller, marketing director of Hourglass’ parent group, Customade Group, explained: “Hourglass has built its business on a commitment to constantly pushing the boundaries of glass technology – and Edgetech has played a vital role in helping us sustain that.
“Super Spacer’s outstanding performance ensures our glass units offer market-leading thermal efficiency and structural strength – while Edgetech’s automation technology has allowed us to maintain quality even as we’ve significantly increased the numbers of units we produce. It’s more important to us now than ever before as we plan to grow our glass sales dramatically over the next few years, so strong mutually supportive trading relationships are at the top of our agenda.
Chris Alderson, Edgetech’s managing director, commented: “Hourglass is a classic example of success through innovation. Just like the Customade Group as a whole, which has helped put lantern roofs and domestic aluminium windows on the map, Hourglass is a pioneer in its field, and it’s been a pleasure to watch them expand and develop over the last seven years.”
