Technoform Glass Insulation (TGI®)
Technoform Glass Insulation (TGI®) is the manufacturer and distributor of the leading warm edge spacer bar, the TGI®-Spacer.
About the company
TGI® is part of the Technoform Group, a global organisation that specialises in the building products industry. The Technoform Group was founded in 1969 by Karl-Hans Caprano and Erwin Brunnhofer and today has a presence in more than 35 countries. For the last 15 years the Technoform Group has continually shown more than 15% growth per annum. Technoform's 1000 strong workforce speaks at least 40 languages and are all connected through a structure of small flexible units, established to assist in servicing customer requirements as efficiently as possible.
Technoform Glass Insulation (TGI®), the warm edge spacer bar division of the Technoform Group, has manufacturing facilities in Kassel, Germany; Milan, Italy and Ohio, USA. TGI® was established in 1995 and supplies IGU manufacturers throughout Europe, Russia, the Middle East, China and Asia. In 2008 TGI® moved into the UK market, setting up headquarters at Blythe Valley Business Park in the Midlands.
2012 heralds the opening of the companies UK distribution centre, a facility which will enable TGI® to supply their growing UK customer base with greater efficiency, with lead times as short as 1 – 2 days.
Product - The TGI®-Spacer
The TGI®-Spacer is a bendable warm edge spacer bar that offers the ultimate combination of good thermal performance, high productivity and value for money.
Manufactured using a high performance synergy of stainless steel and polypropylene, the TGI®-Spacer allows only a very low heat transfer while offering the highest levels of resistance against gas leakage and humidity. It also offers low Psi-values for the glass edge, improving U-Values or Window Energy Ratings whatever frame material is used.
TGI®-Spacers can be processed on all standard bending machines, meaning the IGU manufacturer does not have to invest in specialist equipment. Whether angular or round, any shape can be realised in the frame manufacturing process and procedures. Connectors specially designed and fully approved for use with TGI®-Spacers can be used in the assembly process, which can also offer significant savings.
As a bendable warm edge solution, the TGI®-Spacer saves the IGU manufacturer significant material cost. When using the cut and key method of production, manufacturers need to apply extra sealant to ensure argon gas does not escape through the joints. The TGI®-Spacer can be bent to form the shape of almost any frame design, and with only one joint. By removing the extra joints there is far less chance of gas escaping from the unit, meaning the manufacturer can use much less sealant.
The bendability of the TGI®-Spacer also benefits installers and homeowners. Bending the spacer bar - rather than cutting and corner-keying - reduces the risk of moisture penetrating the sealed unit, a factor that causes the unit to fail. This ultimately means less service calls for the installer and a better performing window for the end user. TGI®-Spacer is available in six colours including RAL 7035 (Light Grey), RAL 7040 (Dark Grey), RAL 8003 (Light Brown), RAL 8016 (Dark Brown), RAL 9005 (Black) and RAL 9016 (White).
Personnel and support
TGI® GB and Ireland is headed by Simon Rawlins, UK Product Manager. Simon is responsible for supporting TGI® customers throughout the UK and Ireland, creating new business opportunities and building the permanent UK establishment. Simon is joined by Andrew Jenner, who has a similar customer facing role, and David Kimberley, who leads the logistics department.
In terms of product support, not only does TGI® provide advice on how to introduce TGI®-Spacers into an IGU manufacturer's production sequence, but the company provide direct on-site assistance with setting up new and existing bending machines, as well as assisting in sourcing process support and machine parts.
TGI® provides customers with all the necessary national - as well as international - certificates and test reports on the TGI®-Spacer and will determine all the thermal values for customers insulating glass warm edge systems. The company can arrange the necessary inspections and tests and provide assistance with quality tests on individual system components. To help IGU manufacturers sell the benefits of the TGI®-Spacer and warm edge technology to their customers, a member of the TGI® team can support you during visits to your customers, present the TGI®-Spacer and answer all questions on the subject of the 'warm edge' and its significance for the future.
Tel: 0121 506 9740
E: srawlins@glassinsulation.co.uk
www.glassinsulation.co.uk
