Clearview National May 2017 - Issue 186 | Page 116

GLASS&SEALEDUNITS Glass turns a corner » » BOHLE GROUP SAYS homeowners are embracing glass in the mainstream of UK house design - and this is driving innovation in the glass processing sector and associated technologies. Bohle is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers and wholesalers of tools, machinery and accessories for glass processing and glass finishing. The business remains at the forefront of global innovation in UV bonding technology and has developed a complete range of cleaning agents, pre-treatments and curing adhesives to UVA lamps, bonding tables, rigid fixing and clamping devices. But while the application of UV bonding is established in the manufacture of everything from glass furniture to shop fit-outs, its use in external applications is only now beginning to establish itself. Alex Simpson is managing director and owner of The Glass Man, which manufactured its first 90-degree seamless Infinity Corner IGU in 2009. The business works closely with Bohle. Alex said: “The concept was simple – develop a glazing unit that turns a corner to maximize the view outside. It was doing it that was the hard part, because I was developing the unit alongside running a business and because it took a lot of investment to get the process right.” The patented Infinity IGU is suitable for use with timber, aluminium, composites and PVCu frames, in either double or triple-glazed, argon-filled options. These are manufactured from 8mm toughened external glass and 6mm Pilkington K toughened internally. “These units are invariably going out to somewhere sitting on top of a sea cliff or half way up a mountain so you need to factor in wind loadings,” added Alex. Creating a single IGU unit that in effect seamlessly ‘turns the corner’ of a building, presented a unique set of challenges. “We worked very closely with Bohle to identify the right UV bonding solution,” said Alex. “There are other suppliers out there and they’ll all supply you with a product but what you get from Bohle is incredible technical expertise. “We made several trips across to Haan in Germany to work with their technical team to identify the right bonding solution for what we were trying to achieve.” For more information, visit www.theglassmanuk.co.uk EXPANSION CONTINUES WITH MAJOR LONDON ACQUISITION » » CORNWALL GLASS HAS COMPLETED the acquisition of Hayes-based multi-laminate specialist, LW Architectural Glass. Agreed at the end of March, the purchase sees Cornwall Glass acquire the business and all assets, with immediate effect. The sale gives Cornwall Glass new geographical reach along the M4 corridor into London, plus a cutting-edge multi-laminate capability, including autoclave, sterile climatic lamination facility and resin pour systems. Cornwall Glass Director, Mark Mitchell, said the agreement represented a major opportunity for LW and Cornwall Glass. “The investment that has gone into LW Glass is substantial and it’s delivered some highly impressive commercial projects throughout London”, he said. “It’s a very important strategic acquisition for us, giving Cornwall Glass a geographical presence in London – something which we have been considering for a number of years – but also additional manufacturing capacity. 116 » MAY 2017 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M “This strengthens our offer across the Group but also gives us some great specialisms and reach into new markets.” LW Architectural Glass was founded by Lee Warren Fabrication and Design, as its specialist glass business, in 2014. With a turnover in excess of £4m, it works across commercial and architectural sectors and has supplied a host high profile commercial projects including Wembley and Heathrow Airport. In addition to its state-of-the-art lamination facility, the purchase of the 50,000 sq ft manufacturing centre, also gives Cornwall Glass two new heat soak ovens, a new toughening plant – the fourth within the group – alongside a spray booth, straight-line edgers and new CNC machinery. “It’s not just the capacity to manufacture our own laminates that LW gives us but the scale of the sheets that we can handle – it’s glass processing on a very large scale”, said Mitchell. He continued: “This includes balustrading, floors and canopies, in addition to over-sized units – areas, which we see as delivering significant growth going forward.” With a combined turnover of £19m post acquisition of LW, Cornwall Glass has seen sustained growth through a combined strategy of expansion and acquisition covering 15 locations throughout the South West and along the M4 corridor. www.cornwallglass.co.uk