Annual sales of more than £16 million and healthy profits allow N&C Glass to keep ahead of the technological game. This includes the manufacture of high performance 1.1 W/m2K sealed units, incorporating soft-coat low E glass.
The company claims to be the largest independent processor in the south of England, and one of the UK's foremost stockists and processors of fire resistant glass.
Where it all began
Remarkably, it all began over 128 years ago in London's Shoreditch, in a building that, until the end of last year had been the company's head office since the beginning. Although a relative youngster by comparison with glassmaker Pilkington, a trading partnership between the two companies has existed since the 19th Century.
Many glass people might not know that N&C has always offered a full portfolio of building products, a position further enhanced with a recent acquisition. Other businesses in the Group now put combined sales in excess of £55 million, whilst maintaining private ownership.
With the opening of a purpose-built, head office that also houses a state-of-the-art builder's merchant, N&C now has a showcase that befits its history, status and success. Opened in January this year in Romford, the building is a gleaming jewel in N&C's crown, both metaphorically and literally; the building is clearly visible from quite a distance.
HQ showcases capabilities
There are no less than 1,200 square metres of sealed units used in the construction of the building, with a further 1,000m2 of glass used internally. For the offices 6mm toughened Pilkington K Glass has been combined with 6mm Pilkington Optifloat Grey, whilst clear versions have been used for the display windows fronting the retail area.
The extensive roof glazing, specified to ensure the interior of the building benefits from maximum natural light, is heat soaked toughened Pilkington Optifloat, installed using a silicone edged system. N&C's fire glazing expertise has been used for the production and installation of much of the internal glazing using Pilkington Pyrostop, with other partitioning again using toughened Pilkington Optifloat, and Pilkington Optilam. Finally, the curtain walling comprises ceramic spandrel panels produced, naturally, by N&C. Even items such as mirrors and shelving throughout the building serve to emphasise the huge range of skills and products offered by N&C Glass.
Among its many facets, the site has a 20,000ft2 showroom aimed at both home improvers and professionals alike, with well-staffed trade counters, all lit through a large glazed frontage, with visitors entering through a most impressive portal.
N&C Glass has indeed invested, with more than £3 million spent so far this century across the company's three locations at Dunstable, Stratford and Fareham to satisfy demands for products to comply with new and anticipated legislation. Much of this investment has been in plant to process soft-coat glasses to satisfy current demand from the commercial glazing market.
As a leading fire glass specialist, N&C has already geared up for the requirements of the revised Part B of the Building Regulations governing fire, and has an excellent understanding of acoustic control glass. The booming conservatory market is catered for with the production of complex shapes and large area sealed units, including the option of Activ self-cleaning glass.
Big changes
Stephen Forbes, Managing Director of N&C Glass, believes the glass industry is undergoing one of the greatest changes since the introduction of float glass 50 years ago: 'Glass is no longer a mere commodity, with less and less of our output being plain float. Glass is an increasingly complex, high performance product and if we are to remain ahead of the market we, and indeed all companies in this sector, must continually invest to enable us to offer these new products.
'We are constantly researching to prepare for any changes that might affect glass, and we have representation on the Glass and Glazing Federation technical committees to provide us with a voice in the issues influencing the market. We also recognise that as the specification of glass becomes more complex, so we offer a technical advisory service for our customers.'
N&C's long and successful history places a considerable responsibility on Stephen Forbes' shoulders. Thankfully, the readiness of N&C Glass to face the future confirms that the company is in good hands.
Source
Glass Age
