The progressive project is part of an expansion phase at one of Australasia’s leading glass processors – Metro Performance Glass.
The B’JUMBO I.G. production line from Bystronic glass was the preferred choice for this installation, with its technically advanced capabilities that provide greater accuracy and faster output to cope with market demands as they increase.
As product design in the glass market diversifies, the need to invest in greater automation that can easily handle an expanding product range, that includes double glazed units, laminated glass products as well as toughened and heat soaked glass, became essential for the Highbrook based manufacturers.
Accommodating glass dimensions from min. 190 x 350 mm, max. 3210 x 6000 mm, the B’JUMBO system can produce insulating glass units or commercial units from 12 - 80 mm in thickness.
Using the Bystronic glass shape catalogue, customers can diversify their portfolio, enabling products to be manufactured in a variety of dimensions and styles. The system opens up new opportunities for Bystronic glass customers, particularly in the commercial sector, and makes an excellent solution in relation to the market’s desire for more dynamic design.
Geoff Rasmussen, General Operations Manager at Metro Performance Glass needed the install to be as swift as possible with little disruption to the daily running of the factory. With the Auckland factory running 5 x 10 hour nightly shifts as well as 7 x 12 hour day shifts, the supply chain to the customers needed to be maintained during the installation.
Technically the new system had to be connected to the existing automation equipment and needed to run a very fast cycle time. Speed was of the essence when making the investment with high speed sealing an essential requirement to cater for multiple glass types including coated glasses.
As the reliability and quality of the Bystronic glass range were familiar to Geoff Rasmussen, Bystronic glass was chosen for the new Greenfields Tasmanian site. The Auckland B’JUMBO investment was slotted into the existing 17,250 sqm purpose built glass processing facility at the company’s Head Office in Auckland.
Proven Technology Gives Greater Reassurance
With such a major investment, achieving consistent production standards were an essential part of the decision process. The B’JUMBO was considered superior due to a number of factors including product quality, productivity, reliability and advanced manufacturing procedures.
Metro Performance Glass employs approximately 1,180 staff across Australasia which comprises four processing sites in in New Zealand and three processing sites in Australia. Providing glass products to window fabricators and commercial construction companies since 1986, the entire team prides itself on its first class reputation of ‘performance without compromise’.
This core principle was applied when making investments in the Bystronic glass range with communication and customer support also considered vital elements to Mr Rasmussen.
