Safeglass (Europe) Wins Queen’s Award With Pioneering Alternative To Glass

Safeglass (Europe) Limited, the East Kilbride-based company which has developed a ground-breaking polymer alternative to glass that can be incorporated into emergency equipment, has today (21.04.05) won the UK’s leading accolade for business success, a Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

The company has been named a winner in the innovation category of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise for the commercial success it has achieved since the development of Safeglass, a pioneering polymer which has the appearance and many of the properties of glass, but does not cause injury when broken.

Ralph McNeill, managing director of Safeglass (Europe), said, ‘We are delighted to be presented with this independent and prestigious endorsement of the quality of our company. As the most prestigious corporate accolade that a UK business can win, we anticipate that The Queen’s Award for Enterprise will accelerate our planned strategic growth into other business sectors and assist the market launch of our glassware product this autumn.’

Safeglass is now used as the industry standard throughout the rail and bus industry for break glass hammer boxes, door egress, fire extinguishers and many other safety products. It is also used in hospitals for oxygen shut off valves.

The genesis of Safeglass dates back to an auspicious train journey when Mr McNeill noticed that the window of the hammer box for passengers to break in the event of an accident or emergency was made of glass. Realising that this meant that whoever needed to access the hammer ran the risk of injuring themselves – and that any glass that is broken by accident or malice leaves behind shards which could be dangerous if picked up or when being cleared away – he thought that there must be a safer alternative material.

Upon discovering that no suitable alternative material existed, Mr McNeill set about developing one of his own. Safeglass is the result.

Not only is the breaking strength of Safeglass controllable, but it can be produced clear or opaque and be made into almost any shape. As such, it was quickly recognised that Safeglass could also be used for a number of other products.

Mr McNeill said, ‘Its durability makes it suitable for glassware and bottles. We are currently working on applying Safeglass to develop a new way to bottle beer and other liquids and a range of glassware.’

Demand for the product has been such that Safeglass (Europe) has posted a 25 per cent rise in its turnover over the last 12 months, expanded its staff and is in the process of moving into larger premises.

ENDS
For further information please contact Avril McNeill at Safeglass (Europe) on tel 01355 272438

Issued on behalf of Safeglass (Europe) by Blueprint Media tel 0141 353 1515 21st April 2005

Notes to Editors Other awards for innovation won by Safeglass (Europe) include two John Logie Baird awards for innovation – both in the Lanarkshire company category and the national category – and a Millennium product award. Safeglass was exhibited at The Millennium Dome as part of a display of innovative products. Safeglass (Europe) was awarded ISO 9001:2000 in December 2004. 10% of Safeglass (Europe)’s turnover is generated via exports, chiefly to Belgium, Switzerland and Germany.