Now part of the Japanese industrial giant NSG, Pilkington is installing new technology at its Pilkington Architectural site in St Helens to meet UK and overseas demand. Tony McDonough reports

Glassmaker Pilkington has invested £3m in its Merseyside manufacturing site to meet rising demand from UK and overseas customers.

Now part of the Japanese industrial giant NSG, Pilkington is installing new technology at its Pilkington Architectural site in St Helens to increase its capacity to manufacture structural glazing products.

The investment includes a new toughening furnace, an increased-capability heat soak oven, and a glass measuring device. Each will be used as part of the manufacturing process for its Pilkington Planar structural glazing system and associated products.

Structural glazing systems are used in a variety of applications including glass atriums, facades, and other specialist uses.

Pilkington, which has been in existence for almost 200 years, has developed, designed and manufactured structural glazing systems at its base in St Helens for more than 60 years, serving UK clients and export markets including the US and the Middle East.

The new toughening furnace, due to be operational by August, also increases the size capability of the toughening furnace and heat soak oven to 6000 mm x 3000 mm, meaning the company can create larger sheets of glass.

And the newly developed glass measuring device will enhance the manufacturer’s quality control systems and processes for the benefit of customer and end-clients.

Phil Savage, head of sales – UK processing at Pilkington, said: “We’ve been at the forefront of glass manufacturing right here in St Helens for almost two centuries. This latest investment underlines our commitment to operating locally and will further enhance the town’s position as a heartland of the UK glass industry.

“Structural glazing products are increasingly popular as architects design more buildings that feature seamless expanses of glass for atriums and roofs. Our investment at Pilkington Architectural increases our capacity to support this increasing demand, helping our customers to create a built environment fit for the future.”