Metro Performance Glass drives building industry efficiency

Metro Performance Glass drives building industry efficiency

Leading-edge glass manufacturing plant officially opens in Auckland today. The $21.5 million facility is designed to meet North Island housing and construction demand at internationally-competitive prices

New Zealand's largest value-added glass processor Metro Performance Glass (NZX.MPG, ASX.MPP) today officially opens its new manufacturing plant in Auckland, helping to improve the efficiency and productivity of the country’s construction and housing sectors.

Metroglass Chairman Sir John Goulter, speaking ahead of the opening to be attended by the Prime Minister the Rt Hon John Key, said the facility is at the leading edge of New Zealand manufacturing and would benefit all New Zealand house buyers.

“New Zealand housing markets, particularly those in Christchurch and Auckland, are experiencing a boom due to a shortage of houses and construction industry bottlenecks that make it difficult to respond to the high levels of demand.

“High-quality building products, delivered at internationally-competitive prices, such as those produced at Metroglass’ new state-of-the-art-facility, represent an important step to relieve these pressures,” Sir John said.

Metroglass Chief Executive Nigel Rigby said the $21.5 million facility is one of the most technically-advanced and efficient glass production plants in the world. It was completed on time and within budget thanks to an extremely dedicated Metroglass team and three year’s research, planning and development.

“Metroglass, majority owned by New Zealanders since its initial public offering and listing on the New Zealand and Australian stock exchanges last year, has built this factory to meet the strong demand it expects from housing and construction markets over the next few years," Mr Rigby said.

“The company now not only has a leading-edge facility capable of servicing the Upper North Island market, but we also have a cost position that suggests we can compete against imported products. In the context of New Zealand manufacturing, this is a rare and privileged position to occupy.”

The highly-automated plant consolidates Metroglass' five Auckland sites onto one 26,000sqm site, an area equivalent to more than two and a half rugby fields, and doubles the company’s production capacity.

Its linear layout enables raw product to be delivered at the southern end of the facility before flowing through the manufacturing process for despatch as finished goods at the northern end. The factory can manufacture the highest specification glass and some of the largest flat glass products in the country. It can also produce one-off non-standard customised orders, a capability that is unique in New Zealand.

Energy efficiency and environmental sustainability is integral to the design of the plant. High-efficiency LED lighting with zoned switching reduces energy consumption. Smart floor-to-ceiling ‘Low Emissivity’ insulated glass panels, manufactured by Metroglass, let in plenty of light to office spaces, reducing heat loss in the winter and overheating in summer, ensuring staff comfort all year round.

All water used for glass processing and edge working is recycled. Meanwhile, rain water is harvested from the facility’s 15000sqm roof and stored in tanks onsite, supplying approximately half of Metroglass’ annual water needs. Meanwhile, Metroglass has continued

to recycle glass at the facility in line with its commitment to reduce waste and minimise landfill.

Health and Safety was a foremost consideration in the design of the plant. Equipment selection, plant layout, minimisation of manual handling and industry best practice were taken into account when commissioning this facility.

“Following completion of the plant, Metroglass is now very well positioned to meet the changing architectural demands of the New Zealand construction and building industry and compete with global players,” Mr Rigby said.

ENDS

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