British glassmaker Pilkington Plc said its trading in the first six months of the year was in line with its expectations.
It said float sales volumes had recovered in its European building products d…
British glassmaker Pilkington Plc said its trading in the first six months of the year was in line with its expectations. It said float sales volumes had recovered in its European building products division after a weak start to the year and prices were now strengthening. The company said it would soon start building a new float glass plant in western France to cater for increased demand, which should open at the end of 2001 or early the next year. “We continue to focus on reducing costs and increasing productivity in all of our markets, with the primary emphasis now being on North America,” Pilkington said. With North American vehicle sales breaking records, car glass sales there were well ahead of last year and the half year results would be better. With Argentina and Chile in recession, float sales volumes and prices were running nearly 10% below last year“s levels. In Brazil, the building market was showing signs of recovery and float glass volumes were ahead. The company said it would soon start building a new float glass plant in western France to cater for increased demand, which should open at the end of 2001 or early the next year. “We continue to focus on reducing costs and increasing productivity in all of our markets, with the primary emphasis now being on North America,” Pilkington said. With North American vehicle sales breaking records, car glass sales there were well ahead of last year and the half year results would be better. With Argentina and Chile in recession, float sales volumes and prices were running nearly 10% below last year“s levels. In Brazil, the building market was showing signs of recovery and float glass volumes were ahead.