Glaverbel Invests In New Float Line In Teplice (Czech Republic)

Sustained demandWith a production capacity of 700 tonnes per day, this investment (of around 100 million euros) will meet the increasing demand for glass, expected to grow by 7 or 8% per year over the next few years in central Europe.Construction work is due to begin at the end of 2006, and the new float plant - Glaverbel's third in central Europe and seventeenth in Europe - should be operational by the beginning of 2008.

Advantages of scale
The choice of site for the new line fell on Teplice (North Bohemia). Jean-François Heris, President AGC Flat Glass Europe - Glaverbel, explains: "By concentrating three float lines at a single site, we benefit from advantages of scale in terms of performance and flexibility of production. It also enables us to take advantage of the local factors already present, which will help to speed up the construction work and reduce the cost of the investment. These include know-how, human and material resources, a common language and a shared corporate culture." Locating the line at the heart of central Europe will also generate significant transport savings for Glaverbel.

Finally, this third float line will consolidate Glaverbel's leadership on the glass markets of central Europe.