Pittsburgh Glass Works produces car windshields in Poland Shutterstock

US glass manufacturer Pittsburgh Glass Works has invested zł.300 million in a production facility near Środa Śląska, in the newly extended Legnica Special Economic Zone. The plant produces one of the most advanced car-windshield models in Europe, the company said.

The first new parts were produced at the end of 2011 and the plant is now in full production mode, supplying Daimler facilities in Germany and Hungary.

Innovative equipment

The company has pushed for innovation through incorporating production processes that make use of completely new equipment purchased from “the most up-to-date technologies around the world,” the company wrote in a comment.

The facility will be the center for product and process research and development in Europe.
The plant has provided more work places than originally expected.

“The original plan was to employ between 151 and 165 full-time Polish workers. During 2012, a decision was made to add a new production process to the facility, [therefore now] the level of employment is expected to be 267 at the end of 2013,” the company wrote.

Energy reduction

Additionally, the innovativeness of the project is reflected in the company’s approach to energy waste, the firm said.

“Energy reduction is a key part of the design of the facility and products being produced,” the company wrote.

During the production process heat is re-circulated within the facility to reduce the overall heat consumption of the plant. Lighting is on multiple circuits to allow it to be used only as much as is necessary, depending on the amount of light coming into the plant from the skylights. Waste is sorted and collected to facilitate the recycling of materials.

The windshields being produced include color and shading that is designed to minimize UV and infrared light transmission, while some have glass coating included to block significant amounts of infrared light transmission, allowing for reduced fuel consumption for air conditioning and other automobile features.

In Europe the company so far has been producing windshields for cars such as the Mercedes-Benz S Class.

About Pittsburgh Glass Works

Pittsburgh Glass Works is a US company which produces an extensive range of glass products.

Employing more than 4,000 people worldwide, the company comprises automotive glass manufacturing facilities and supply chain units. It also offers distribution services, retailer alliance partnerships and insurance claims management services.