Page 20 - Glass-Technology International no. 4/2018

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AGP GROUP next level, enabling our customer’s
product development with innovation,
ACQUISITION OF SOLIVER NV agility and flexibility. We believe both
companies’ customers will immedi-
AGP, a high-tech speciality glass rising demand in electrification, con- ately benefit from our new investments
designer and manufacturer, has an- nectivity, shared mobility and autono- aligned with mobility trends,” said Ar-
nounced the acquisition of Soliver mous driving, acting as an enabler of turo Mannheim, CEO of AGP Group.
NV, a European automotive glazing future mobility trends. The integration As part of the Group’s expansion plan,
manufacturer with over 65 years of of Soliver into the AGP Group will and following a minority investment
AGP’s glazing heritage started in strengthen the AGP eGlass value prop- by Goldman Sachs Private Capital In-
Berlin, with the Mannheim family’s osition and will be a game changer in vesting, AGP is also launching a Tech
first glass company. After 100 years a fast-evolving industry. & Innovation Center in the district
and a clear vision to become a leader “We are very excited to build upon of Aachen, Germany in 2018. With
in speciality glass, AGP’s core eGlass Soliver’s great experience and track- both the Belgium plant and German
technologies have responded to the record to take high-tech glazing to the Tech Center only a few hours away
from major customers in the region,
AGP will consolidate its footprint in
SEDAK Europe.
“I am extremely proud of Soliver’s
WORLD’S LARGEST GLASS IN 2018 65+ years of successful customer
programs and the solid relationships
From mid-2018, German glass manufacturer we have been able to nurture in the
sedak will, announced CEO Bernhard Veh, fab- European markets, with a strong focus
ricate glass up to 3.51m x 20m. With these new on product quality and reliability.
record dimensions, sedak further expands its lead- AGP’s vision and commitment to the
ing position as a specialist for exceptionally large future of mobility drove our interest to
glass. The technology leap was a consistent step, share with them our solid heritage in
explained Veh: “From year to year, the demand automotive glazing. Our customers,
for oversize glass formats rises. Ten years of ex- partners and employees will greatly
perience and the continuing good order situation benefit from this integration,” said
encouraged us to take the next step.” Stefaan Bouckaert, former Soliver
By expanding its production capabilities, sedak CEO who will remain as Managing
becomes the world’s only manufacturer for glass Director of the Belgium plant.
of that size. Since 2007, the Bavarian company has been establishing itself The synergy of Soliver’s European
as a specialist for exceptionally large dimensions and investing steadily in its reputation with AGP’ss bespoke inno-
own research and development. Besides pioneer work, such as extensive tests vation and flexibility is set to energize
for technical approvals, sedak focuses on the knowledge and the experience the industry moving forward, benefit-
of its own employees. “They are our most valuable resource,” says Veh. ting major customers in the region.
The production of 20-meter long glass will start in mid-2018. The special AGP has a large portfolio of products
machines have been ordered. Each of them is tailored to sedak’s special require- for the automotive, security, naval,
ments and developed in close cooperation with the machine manufacturers. transportation and defence markets
Therefore, the glass units can be produced in the quality typical for sedak; and worldwide. AGP serves approximately
the manufacturer stays the top performer for record dimensions. 650 customers globally, with local ser-
In the glass industry, sedak has been establishing itself as a full supplier for glass vice offerings in more than 20 coun-
up to 16.5m. All production steps are highly automated. sedak’s competence tries supported by 1,800 employees.
for oversize glass can be easily recognized when looking at the latest, realized Soliver offers high-quality tempered
projects: Replacement of the 13m high glass units of the façade of the UNO and laminated glazing for high-end
building “United Nations Conference on Trade and Development”, production automobiles, as well as windshield
and delivery of the 15.5m long glass laminates for the façade of the shopping solutions for trucks and has long-
mall Iconsiam in Bangkok, the representative office building “111 South Main term relationships with many premier
Street” in Salt Lake City with glass fins up to 11m and unique glass laminates OEMs such as Audi, BMW, Daimler,
with wood veneers between the layers, and the fabrication of the 15m long glass Porsche, Renault and Volvo Trucks,
units for the façade of Apple’s new headquarters in Cupertino. among others.

18 Glass-Technology International 4/2018