Ajiya out to boost position in safety glass market

Group managing director Chan Wah Kiang said world demand for specialised glasses was huge, the volume limitless. Among products that use the glass are glass top gas hob, microwave oven door, washing machine glass window, and computer screen.

He said although the company only started manufacturing the product late last year, it had already supplied to white good manufacturers and furniture makers.

Chan said most of the white good manufacturers were international multinational corporations (MNCs) and major furniture companies.

“With this positive development, we are set to establish a stronger footing in the market,'' he told StarBiz after the company's AGM last Friday.

Chan said the company also wanted to increase use of its safety glass among local furniture manufacturers, which now relied on imported glass.

He said the majority used made-in-China glass, which had flooded the market for years, while a few used that of Taiwanese or Indonesian origin.

“We want to reduce the use of Chinese glass among local furniture makers within the next two years, and to eventually capture the largest market share,'' added Chan.

He said although the company would focus on the safety glass segment, it would continue to develop its metal-based products.

Chan said prospects for the products were still good with the revival in the construction industry, which had seen developments by both the public and private sectors.

He said metal and aluminium ceiling, steel truss, metal floor beam, and metal window and door frames were slowly replacing those made of teak.