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Guardian Glass Selects Carleton, Michigan Site for New Jumbo Coater

Guardian Glass’ new jumbo coater will be installed at its Carleton, Michigan glass manufacturing complex.

“Architects are increasingly designing projects with larger glass sizes to deliver desired aesthetics with more expansive views and higher daylight penetration,” explains Rick Zoulek, vice president - Americas, Guardian Glass. “Guardian’s new jumbo coater will combine the larger size glass that architects demand with the world-class energy savings of the Guardian SunGuard® portfolio of high performance, low-E coatings.”

By coating glass in jumbo sizes, Guardian can:

  • Supply larger sheets of coated glass to its customers for fabrication into finished insulating glass units for glass facades and windows
  • Significantly reduce lead times
  • Create value for Guardian customers by increasing their product offerings, and allowing them to reduce inventory and waste

“We’re pleased to have the support of the Village of Carleton, Ash Township Planning Commission, Monroe County Business Development Corp. and Michigan Economic Development Corporation and are excited to move forward on this project that will increase our ability to serve the glass and building industries, while augmenting our existing Carleton facilities,” says Gerry Hool, Carleton plant manager, Guardian Glass. “By co-locating the jumbo coater with our only U.S. plant with two float glass lines, we will support Guardian customers by increasing product and service offerings and innovating faster.”

"Guardian has a longstanding commitment to our community,” adds Robin Carmack, Ash Township Supervisor. “This investment reinforces our important partnership, and we look forward to continuing to build upon it in the years ahead."

The site is also strategically located across from the company’s leading Science and Technology Center.

“Guardian Industries has deep roots in Michigan and we are pleased that it has selected the state as the location for its investment in this advanced glass technology,” says Michigan Economic Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer Steve Arwood.

The Guardian SunGuard glass product line for commercial applications offers excellent solar control and a wide variety of colors and performance levels. SunGuard glass products provide innovative, leading solutions for appearance, economics and energy efficiency, and are available through an international network of independent Guardian Select® fabricators.

Guardian Glass is a major business unit of Guardian Industries Corp. For more, visit guardianglass.com.

 


The machinery consists of DESERT production machines for high-efficiency DESERT solar modules built specifically for extreme hot climate, such as can be seen in deserts or in tropical areas. Made solely in Germany and built using the latest in DESERT and TROPIC module production, the systems inlcudes all cutting-edge technology.

Certified DESERT solar modules, DESERT containers, DESERT power plants and DESERT manufacturing machinery built using pioneering DESERT and TROPICS technology are now fully set up, and ready to perform. But powering on the machinery has been a long time coming. Up until recently, this advanced piece of equipment had been waiting for clearance at a port in Brazil. Now that the formalities have been dealt with, both J.v.G. Thoma and its customer in Brazil can get production under way.

J.v.G. Thoma GmbH is a company whose vision has always been to harness the infinite power of the sun and convert it into an inexhaustible supply of energy. But a vision such as this requires global reach, and this project has opened new doors. Brazil is not only a gateway to South American cooperation, but also the launchpad to international reach and expansion.

Following the delivery of this initial order, J.v.G. Thoma GmbH will be looking forward to an ongoing collaboration with the Brazilian company. From setup and initial training to setting the scene for a ramp up, J.v.G. Thoma will be there to provide expertise and assistance. Moreover, the company will be jointly responsible, along with the client, for the successful integration of the DESERT solar module factory.

In the future, bigger DESERT power plants will be set up on Brazilian soil, and together with existing turnkey production systems, they intend to take up a large share of the products and assets this sector will possess locally. J.v.G. Thoma plans to build up a local network of sales agents that can extend a premium offering to neighbouring countries in South America. Eventually, the company hopes to be able to expand its customer base to clients in North America.

Hans Thoma, general manager from the Thoma-group, is eager to acquire a substantial market share in Brazil, a growing country with tremendous potential for solar energy output. Having complied with local official procedures (Inmetro, TÜV, Fraunhofer CSP) and cleared the way for future business collaboration, he expresses his hope that the solar industry will henceforth expand quickly.

”Being able to introduce Brazil to the infinite opportunities of a solar industry is a privilege for J.v.G. Thoma GmbH, and one that we are extremely grateful for. At the same time, this placed the ball squarely in our court, and the pressure to get the ball rolling quickly was high. Now that the lengthy initial formalities are out of the way, we can focus on making this project a success.“

The first DESERT solar module production in BRAZIL! Let
Source: Guardian Industries Corp.
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