Due to the worldwide Corona virus pandemic, the business environment has changed very quickly and at the same time, mobility restrictions are affecting our working life. Despite this completely new situation, all Glaston production facilities in Finland, Germany, Switzerland and China have successfully maintained operations. Already from an early stage of the pandemic, Glaston’s focus has been on securing the operations, the safety of employees and on continuous support to the customers. This means that the machines and lines for processing architectural, automotive, solar and appliance glass will continue to be delivered to customers around the world. 

Thanks to all preventive measures that were introduced already at an early stage, Glaston has been able to maintain production operations. For example, access into Glaston’s production facilities is prohibited for external persons such as suppliers, and goods transfers are handled outside of the facilities. For Glaston employees, extensive protective measures, new hygiene guidelines as well as stricter cleaning procedures have been introduced in the offices and productive areas, and Glaston workforce is paying increased attention to generally applicable safety distance recommendations.

Thanks to the functioning logistics of Glaston’s suppliers, the required individual parts or components for the machine assembly are available in all production plants and operations have continued without hick-ups. For example, in March–April ten tempering lines and two laminating lines have been completed at the unit in Finland, adding up in 57 large sea containers and 34 trailers for transporting these customer-tailored lines. Additionally, five containers have been shipped in March–April with goods related to upgrade/modernization projects for existing lines. And in Germany the company’s unit for machinery for insulating glass manufacturing and handling equipment is running at full speed.  

Glaston is particularly proud of all its employees who work hard to ensure that all orders are delivered and installed. Regarding installations, Glaston continues working as planned at the sites not listed by authorities as being in risk areas. This applies to the delivery of new machines and equipment as well as service and maintenance work. However, today most of Glaston’s machines are available through remote connections, which makes it easier to provide instant online support. 

Individual customer meetings are increasingly held via video conferences. In the service area, Glaston’s local services contacts are all available. In addition to existing online customer service support, Glaston has opened a 24/7 online service that can be contacted outside normal office hours at service.finland@glaston.net. For spare parts, the online spare part catalogues are available for spare parts services. All Glaston delivery centers are fully operational for the spare parts deliveries.

Wherever possible, all administrative staff have been working from their home offices since mid-March. Due to the strict guidelines, preventive measures and the prudent behavior of all Glaston employees, Glaston still has no reported COVID19-cases to date.

Glaston’s top priority is to secure operations, the safety of personnel, and on continuous support to our customers.

Photo: In Lenhardt, Germany, the unit for machinery for insulating glass manufacturing and handling equipment, production is running at full speed.