Guardian expands United Kingdom plant with high technology glass coater

Construction has already begun on the £30 million ($48 million) project that is expected to create 50 new jobs when it is completed in the fourth quarter of 2012.



The coater represents the most advanced technology in the world for turning standard glass into high performance, value-added glass. The coater allows the plant to produce low-emissivity glass that provides high levels of thermal insulation, and solar control glass that prevents buildings from overheating. These high performance products are able to meet or exceed new energy standards.



“The drive by the UK government to save energy has resulted in raising energy efficiency standards for both new and replacement windows for residential and commercial buildings,” said Scott Thomsen, President of the global Guardian Glass group. “Further improvements are already planned through 2020 that will demand even more energy efficient glass.”



The Goole plant services window customers and commercial fabricators throughout the United Kingdom. Guardian has long been the glass supplier of choice for the large independent glass industry in the UK. The coater expansion follows the 2008 addition of a state-of-the-art glass laminating line at the Goole plant, an investment of more than £6 million (nearly $10 million). The company built its Goole float glass plant in 2003. It is one of 28 such plants that Guardian operates around the world.



"This expansion reflects the confidence Guardian has in the plant and our strategy for growth,” said Pablo Isasmendi, Plant Manager. “With the investment in the new coater, Guardian Goole will be better able to serve its customer base and develop new products specifically for the region quickly and efficiently.”



For more information, visit www.guardian.com.



About Guardian Industries Corp.:

Guardian is a diversified global manufacturing company headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, with leading positions in float glass, fabricated glass products, fiberglass insulation and other building materials for commercial, residential and automotive applications. Through its Science & Technology Center, Guardian is at the forefront of innovation including development of high performance glass coatings and other advanced products. Its automotive trim group, SRG Global Inc., is one of the world’s largest suppliers of advanced, high value coatings on plastics. Guardian, its subsidiaries and affiliates employ more than 18,000 people and operate facilities throughout North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Visit www.Guardian.com.



CimaGuard and SunGuard are registered trademarks of Guardian Industries Corp.



Contact:

Amy Hennes

ahennes@guardian.com

248.340.2109