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Held at the beginning of October, the glass machinery expo, attracted exhibitors, IGU manufacturers and glass processors from around the world.

Promac Group said that following this year’s show it was able to announce a series of new supply agreements with key innovators including automatic digital printing specialist, Tec Glass and glass cutting experts Turomas who manufacture a full range of glass cutting tables and automatic loading systems.

It also said that it had agreed terms with OM Mistrello, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of glass handling and logistic systems, plus GMR (Glass Machinery Re-conditioners) a global distributor of used equipment.

Joe Hague, Managing Director, Promac Group, said the UK’s largest independent machinery specialist, had also put in place new strategic associations with other UK independents, including Flat Glass Solutions; Kall Kwik; and PAL Machinery.

He added that Forel, which attended this year’s event with one of the single largest footprints, had also reported a high degree of interest in its high tech Jumbo IGU line, best-selling vertical processing line and automatic sorting systems.

“Forel was at Vitrum in force with the largest most innovative machinery display platform by a margin”, he said. “Although UK and Irish customers were down on previous years, It was clear that those who had made the trip to Milan were focused on specific projects”.

“We were also able to come home with new partnerships with some highly innovative manufacturers, including Tec Glass, Turomas, and OM Mistrello.

“We have also expanded our reach through a new partnership with GMR; and here in the UK through new strategic partnerships with Flat Glass Solutions, Kall Kwik and PAL.”

Joe said that strategic alliances with other likeminded UK based machinery and service providers represented a key element of Promac’s forward thinking, continuing to build service excellence whilst improving choice will benefit our new and or our existing mutual customers.

This includes expanding different skill sets as well as increasing enhanced engineering and support services that meet and surpass customer expectation.

“Promac is 40 years old and we have a proud reputation for innovation and leadership, the need to constantly evolve to meet the changing requirements of our market have never been so important,” Joe said.

“Invariably Brexit continues to have an impact especially when you consider our business model, If the industry has to change as a result of it then we need to be fit-for-purpose to meet the challenge in the same way as everyone else does.

“I believe continuity and stability is key and that’s why we are making the strategic improvements now, reacting to an unknown variable is not an option and we are putting in place contingencies to manage accordingly.”

Separately, he added it was more vital than ever that manufacturers continued to invest in automation to head off the obvious rising costs and skills shortage.

“There wasn’t an owner, director or senior manager I met at this year’s event, who isn’t concerned about recruitment and retention of skilled staff making automated solutions a firm consideration”.

“Expanding our model to provide more skilled support staff as efficiently and effectively as possible through mutual cooperation will deliver our customers resource that otherwise might be difficult to supply”.

“Guaranteeing the success of your customer is crucial for any supplier but we are equipped and prepared for future challenges in every area of our businesses which will make the tangible difference now”.