AGP, New Zealand

“We’re now running with the stability, reliability and consistency we aimed to achieve when we invested in Glaston’s Autopilot,” David Bunting, Managing Director of Architectural Glass Products (AGP), says.

In 2020, New Zealand’s AGP selected two FC Series tempering lines for its greenfield plant in Cambridge to increase production of high-performance insulating glass units for the country’s burgeoning market for thermally efficient windows, doors and facades. Currently, the company is the process of installing a third FC Series furnace.

About two years later, the company decided to invest in Glaston’s Autopilot technology. The new technology was commissioned in the autumn of 2023.

Automating the glass tempering process significantly reduces the need for manual input. The machine becomes responsible for selecting the correct process parameters. The result is an efficient and repeatable production process that helps the glass processor increase production.

“One of the biggest drivers for us to add this new technology to our furnaces was to keep up with our high glass volumes with differing thicknesses and sizes as well as the move to more coated glasses. By implementing the Autopilot technology when we did, I feel we avoided bigger production issues.”