STEIN HEURTEY CONFIRMS ITS POSITION IN THE FIELD OF FLOAT GLASS LINES

Stein Heurtey and its process subsidiaries BGE, BH-F and Penelectro have underscored their progress as principal suppliers of thermal equipment for the glass industry. In 2003, Stein Heurtey reorganised its Glass activity around a Glass and Environment division through the acquisition of the dust collection and fume treatment activities for glass furnaces previously held by Solios Environnement. This division is now in a position to provide a complete glass production line in the field of flat glass and hollow glassware. - Stein Heurtey and BGE were awarded orders for five hot ends (each set of equipment comprising a melting furnace, tin bath equipment, a processing lehr and a control system), from major players in the Chinese glass market: Yaohua, Guangzhou China Shenzhen Glass, Jiangmen Farun Glass and Fuyao ; - Stein Heurtey also won ten orders for annealing lehrs from various customers including Guardian Industries in Mexico and Venezuela, Sisecam in Turkey and Farun in P.R. China. These annealing lehrs, with capacities ranging from 150 t/d to 900 t/d, have benefited from the patented continuous glass annealing process. They offer greater flexibility in terms of production and changes in the glass thickness. Turkiye Sise Ve Cam in Turkey has confirmed its confidence in BH-F by entrusting it with numerous contracts in 2003. BH-F also won contracts in Japan and Thailand. Penelectro won major orders in the electric and gas furnace market in P.R. China, Thailand, Italy and France.