KellGlass Limited in Ireland has just installed its first Glaston RC Series furnace in March 2021. The company, located just north of Dublin, plans to use the furnace to add value for its customers in both the double-glazed glass and processing market.
Patrick Kelly, owner and founder of KellGlass Limited, began thinking about purchasing a new tempering furnace about four years ago. He had run his existing plant for the last 16 years, technology had moved on, age was catching up – and a new furnace was needed.
“We first looked at various makes of furnaces. I have known Glaston, earlier Tamglass, over the years. The company has a really good name,” Kelly says. “They are certainly at the upper end of the market. But when making an investment on that scale, we knew we wanted the best.”
Through discussions with Steve Brammer, Glaston’s UK Managing Director, it became clear that the RC Series furnace would best suit the needs of Kellglass. The company’s business is split 50-50 between glass for the double-glass glazing business and glass for the processing market. The RC Series furnace does both.
Although Kelly had intended to purchase the new furnace earlier, the COVID-19 pandemic got in the way. He placed his order for the Glaston RC Series furnace In June 2020, and the furnace was successfully commissioned in March 2021.
The installation process went very smoothly. “The team was very professional, very self-contained. They just got on with it,” Kelly remarks. A team of two main operators was initially trained to run the furnace with the idea that they will train another two operators as backups. Today, the furnace is already running glass for commercial sales.
Kelly’s goal is to continue developing his process over the next few years to add more value for his customers. Ireland is still a growing market with substantial potential. With the influx of people moving to Ireland and the shortage of houses, Kelly sees this trend continuing. “We’ll see good growth to fill the gaps for the next 10 years,” he says.
Kellglass began operations in Meath County, Ireland in 2005. Today, the company is one of Ireland’s leading glass processors and tougheners. References include the Dublin Airport and the Dublin Zoo.
