Sapphire Glass Merchants supercharges production with Edgetech and a Forel automated line

Written by Chris Alderson

Greater efficiency, better quality and a raft of new customers are just some of the benefits respected IGU manufacturers Sapphire Glass Merchants have enjoyed after investing in automated Super Spacer® application technology.

At the end of 2021, the Hinckley-based firm acquired a refurbished automated line to take their business to the next level – and it’s proving to be a fantastic investment.

“We opted to embrace automation because we’d realised we were reaching the limits of what we could achieve doing things the traditional way,” comments Managing Director Stefan O’Meara.

“We’d always prided ourselves on quality, but maintaining those high standards while keeping up with demand was proving increasingly difficult.

“In that respect, investing in automation has been an absolute positive. Now we’re able to produce 500-600 units a shift just on the line alone.

“It’s also allowed us to focus our resources on other areas. One of our specialities has always been slimline heritage units. Before automation, we were producing 1,000 a week – now we have more time to exceed our targets.”

The firm’s choice to invest in a refurbished line has let it embrace automation while also upgrading other areas of its operation.

“We’ve been able to extend our main building, and bring in a new software system that’s revolutionising the way we operate, as well as implementing barcode tracking right across the business.

“The refurbished machine, the extension, and the software investment cost less money combined than a new machine would.”

Best of all, the newly automated Sapphire Glass Merchants has proved a hit with customers, and brought a raft of new enquiries.

“Both our existing customers and new prospects have been extremely impressed with the new line,” Stefan continues. “Everyone wants to come and see it in operation, and we’ve gained positive steps to reduce our carbon footprint directly off the back of our investment in automation.

Ian Pickard, Sapphire’s Director of Operations, concludes: “All in all, it’s been a fantastic boost for our business. I’d highly recommend it to any IGU manufacturer looking to grow.”

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