Glass maker confident about future as it invests £2.5 million

A TAYSIDE glass manufacturer is keeping up its investment programme by spending 2.5 million on equipment and software as it eyes greater market share.

Ravensby Glass is also due to extend one of its two Dundee facilities and increase staff.

The firm supplies glazing products to the public, residential, commercial, historical and medical sectors.

Chairman Nicholas Cunningham said: “We were completely closed down for April, May and part of June, but started bringing back production and engineering resource in the middle of the summer.

“Within a couple of months we were back to full capacity and by October we had recovered hugely.

“We have achieved record sales and production levels in the very recent months.

“We are continuing to enjoy a strong and growing market share and our investment programme continues in the coming weeks and months with the construction of additional warehouse capacity.”

Mr Cunningham said the firm had not deferred investment plans that include additional glass production capability, as well as quality monitoring equipment.

The chairman said demand for commercial insulated glass sealed units was high, adding: “These are the units used in large buildings, predominantly in England, but also some in Edinburgh and Glasgow and this is a growth sector for us.

Recently filed accounts show an almost 12% increase in turnover from £14.3m in 2018, to £15.9m for the year ending October 31 2019. Pre-tax profits rose by 8.5%, from £152,000 to £165,000 over the reporting period.

Mr Cunningham paid tribute to staff at the firm for their hard work and commitment during what has been a challenging time.

He said: “Our postCovid-19 markets have recovered strongly and the outlook for 2021 remains healthy.”

Ravensby Glass is back at full capacity since lockdown.