Furnished with the right ingredients for success – state-of-the-art technology, experienced staff, a diverse portfolio, excellent transportation network and a wide customer base – Glasstech Industries is gearing up to expand both its product portfolio and its export arena well within the first year of launching commercial production.

A newcomer on the market, the company claims to have the largest glass processing facility in Bahrain and one of the largest factories in the region covering 23,000 sq m with over one million sq m of glass processing capabilities per year.
“We are a young dynamic company with state-of-the-art European technology providing the construction market with a wide array of glass processing products under one roof,” says Marwan Khadij, Glasstech’s general manager.  “Glasstech has among its management team capable and well-experienced professionals with extensive glass processing know-how in production and consultancy.”

Located in Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP) in Hidd, Glasstech Industries began trial production and testing in January 2012. In parallel, it started establishing a network of customers throughout Bahrain and the region, and effectively started production and delivery to its customers in April last year.

Apart from Bahrain, Glasstech’s main markets are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Oman, with future plans envisaging an expansion into Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon as well as North Africa and other international markets.

The company is currently delivering quality products to Bahrain and Saudi projects. “We have large projects in Bahrain including a 28-storey building in Juffair, a large commercial building in Manama, two new shopping malls, and a large hotel and resort project, among others,” Khadij says. “We have also won landmark projects in Saudi Arabia and are poised to secure equally significant orders from Kuwait and Qatar.”

Glasstech offers a diverse range of products and services including architectural glass processing; double glazed units produced on a fully-automated IGU (insulated glazed unit) line with a robotic arm from Lisec; heat strengthened glass and double glazing with jumbo size capabilities produced on a Tamglass Pro-E Magnum furnace; laminated glass/bullet proof glass; sand-blasted design glass; and bent glass, single or double glazed.

The insulated glazed unit line ... fully automated.

It is equipped with machinery based on the latest technologies procured from renowned suppliers in the flat glass industry. These include CNC (computerised numerical control) fully-automated jumbo size cutting Lisec machines, Shiatti straight edging, HS architectural screen printing and ceramic fritting/design and Lovati Fratelli bevelling machines. Glasstech has heat soak test capabilities and all its products are backed by full technical support from its team.

Khadij says Bahrain was chosen as the base for the factory for a number of reasons. He elaborates: “Bahrain is a highly strategic market in the GCC with ease of access and outstanding facilities. It is well renowned as a business-friendly country. Our location at BIIP, next to Khalifa Bin Salman Port and Bahrain International Airport, gives us a competitive edge through smooth trouble-free shipment in and out of Bahrain.”

He says Bahrain’s construction market is regaining its momentum “slowly but surely” and he expects some new projects to enter the market in 2013.

Commenting on the company’s business strategy to ensure its growth in the market, Khadij says: “Our business strategy is focused on providing exceptional customer service and support and uncompromised product quality, and ongoing training for management and staff. We are also expanding our product portfolio by adding new production lines with specialised capabilities and targeting customers in the regional market especially in Saudi Arabia as well as in Kuwait and Qatar.”

Established in 2009, Glasstech Industries has 90 employees working round the clock and is expanding its strength to more than 200 staff. Having already established a company in Saudi Arabia, it is currently opening a representative office in Riyadh with further facilities to be set up in other countries.