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December
06
TARGETED INVESTMENTS HELP NOT ONLY TO GROW BUT ALSO TO CONSERVE NATURE
The largest and most modern manufacturer of glass sealed units in the Baltic States Glass LT, located in Alytus, declares that cooperation with the Lithuanian Business Support Agency (LBSA) has given impetus not only to the company’s growth, but has also made a huge impact on the environment.
Rapid growth
The Lithuanian-owned company, which has been operating for 23 years, is happy with the results of recent years. The demand for products is growing rapidly, the number of partners in foreign countries is growing and the increase in the number of employees aims to avoid burnout.
Three years ago, Glass LT together with the LBSA implemented the project ‘Change of the Production Process of Glass Sealed Units by Implementing a New Modern Technological Line’, which received funding of over EUR 2 million under the Regio Invest LT+ measure.
Until then, the company that produced single-glazed units decided to start producing double-glazed units to meet the market demand for increasing the energy efficiency of the products. This required not only more modern and faster equipment, but also a change in the production process itself, for which the support was invested.
‘The implemented project has given impetus not only to the growth of our company, but also has a huge impact on our customers and the environment – use of more energy-efficient glass units saves about 200,000 MWh of energy per year. That emits almost 700,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide if we calculate the efficiency of glass units made in 2018–2021’, says Giedrius Jackūnas, Head of Glass LT.
The volume of production has grown rapidly. In 2018, Alytus residents processed 1.3 million square metres of glass – this year this figure has risen to 1.65 million square metres. Revenue has also grown rapidly, from EUR 15.4 million in 2018 to a projected EUR 23 million in 2021. Productivity increased by more than 40%.
The company exports two-thirds of its production either directly, or by supplying products to window and door manufacturers in Lithuania, who then sell the manufactured products abroad.
Green company
At the end of last year, Glass LT completed the implementation of an energy efficiency project, installing 500 kW solar systems in its industrial buildings. The company received almost EUR 300,000 in funding under the LBSA measure ‘Renewable Energy Resources for Industry LT+’ (Atsinaujinantys energijos ištekliai pramonei LT+).
In 2021 (up to 10 November), the company’s 500 kW solar system has generated 504 MWh of electricity. This is 36% of the company’s total electricity consumption and since February 2021, for the additional requirements Glass LT buys electricity generated only from renewable energy sources, therefore using 100% green electricity.
‘We have always supported the philosophy of sustainable activities – minimal impact on the environment, respectful relations with employees and the surrounding community, transparent and honest activities,’ says Jackūnas.
Glass LT intends to start using green energy heat pumps for heating, which would significantly reduce gas consumption. The water is already treated and used several times in production, and the waste is sorted so it can be recycled as much as possible.
‘However, we are facing the biggest challenges in reducing our transport pollution as there are no suitable alternatives yet. But to compensate for this pollution and environmental impact, we are preparing to undertake a reforestation project’, Jackūnas added.
Takes care of staff
‘One of the LBSA’s values is to achieve a sustainable result in projects. We try to do it ourselves and we encourage our partners to do the same. The experience of Glass LT could serve as an example for others’, noted Aurimas Želvys, Head of the LBSA.
The CEO of Glass LT is also pleased with the cooperation: ‘The most important thing is that the LBSA has excellent specialists who have always been ready to advise and assist in the implementation of additional requirements related to receiving a grant’, says Jackūnas.
The company is investing in upgrading its production lines this year and in the coming years.
‘But the biggest change is in the organisation of work. We have increased the number of employees, introduced new shifts and reduced working hours to avoid employee overload. The lines are getting faster and more precise, the number of units that are triple-glazed instead of double-glazed is increasing, which requires people to be more focused, concentrated and fast,’ explains Jackūnas.
Rapid growth
The Lithuanian-owned company, which has been operating for 23 years, is happy with the results of recent years. The demand for products is growing rapidly, the number of partners in foreign countries is growing and the increase in the number of employees aims to avoid burnout.
Three years ago, Glass LT together with the LBSA implemented the project ‘Change of the Production Process of Glass Sealed Units by Implementing a New Modern Technological Line’, which received funding of over EUR 2 million under the Regio Invest LT+ measure.
Until then, the company that produced single-glazed units decided to start producing double-glazed units to meet the market demand for increasing the energy efficiency of the products. This required not only more modern and faster equipment, but also a change in the production process itself, for which the support was invested.
‘The implemented project has given impetus not only to the growth of our company, but also has a huge impact on our customers and the environment – use of more energy-efficient glass units saves about 200,000 MWh of energy per year. That emits almost 700,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide if we calculate the efficiency of glass units made in 2018–2021’, says Giedrius Jackūnas, Head of Glass LT.
The volume of production has grown rapidly. In 2018, Alytus residents processed 1.3 million square metres of glass – this year this figure has risen to 1.65 million square metres. Revenue has also grown rapidly, from EUR 15.4 million in 2018 to a projected EUR 23 million in 2021. Productivity increased by more than 40%.
The company exports two-thirds of its production either directly, or by supplying products to window and door manufacturers in Lithuania, who then sell the manufactured products abroad.
Green company
At the end of last year, Glass LT completed the implementation of an energy efficiency project, installing 500 kW solar systems in its industrial buildings. The company received almost EUR 300,000 in funding under the LBSA measure ‘Renewable Energy Resources for Industry LT+’ (Atsinaujinantys energijos ištekliai pramonei LT+).
In 2021 (up to 10 November), the company’s 500 kW solar system has generated 504 MWh of electricity. This is 36% of the company’s total electricity consumption and since February 2021, for the additional requirements Glass LT buys electricity generated only from renewable energy sources, therefore using 100% green electricity.
‘We have always supported the philosophy of sustainable activities – minimal impact on the environment, respectful relations with employees and the surrounding community, transparent and honest activities,’ says Jackūnas.
Glass LT intends to start using green energy heat pumps for heating, which would significantly reduce gas consumption. The water is already treated and used several times in production, and the waste is sorted so it can be recycled as much as possible.
‘However, we are facing the biggest challenges in reducing our transport pollution as there are no suitable alternatives yet. But to compensate for this pollution and environmental impact, we are preparing to undertake a reforestation project’, Jackūnas added.
Takes care of staff
‘One of the LBSA’s values is to achieve a sustainable result in projects. We try to do it ourselves and we encourage our partners to do the same. The experience of Glass LT could serve as an example for others’, noted Aurimas Želvys, Head of the LBSA.
The CEO of Glass LT is also pleased with the cooperation: ‘The most important thing is that the LBSA has excellent specialists who have always been ready to advise and assist in the implementation of additional requirements related to receiving a grant’, says Jackūnas.
The company is investing in upgrading its production lines this year and in the coming years.
‘But the biggest change is in the organisation of work. We have increased the number of employees, introduced new shifts and reduced working hours to avoid employee overload. The lines are getting faster and more precise, the number of units that are triple-glazed instead of double-glazed is increasing, which requires people to be more focused, concentrated and fast,’ explains Jackūnas.
