Glass printer spurs growth for Warkworth business

Glasshape’s new $750,000 Israeli-made glass printing machine represents the very latest in glass printing technology and provides the foundation for the family owned Warkworth company to greatly build revenues.
 

Glasshape has been significantly upgrading its manufacturing capabilities, and last year secured an additional grant from NZTE’s International Growth Fund to establish a North American base to service its rapidly expanding export market.
 

MD Rick Forrest says he expects Glasshape global sales this year to be up some 40 percent on 2015. “That figure represents growth of more than 200 percent over three years ago and thoroughly supports our development strategy in partnership with NZTE.” 
 

The new printing technology – marketed by Glasshape as VisionInk – provides for “unprecedented” graphics impact and durability according to Forrest. 

“With the addition of the VisionInk printing technology and enhanced glass processing facilities, Glasshape can now provide clients with a full end to end service – toughening, laminating, printing and curving, or any combination of those processes.” 
 

The VisionInk technology has applications over and above simply the aesthetic. Through manipulation of the laydown of the ink, specific thermal and solar controls can be delivered making it ideal for facades, partitioning and windows. The technology can be seen in the interior and exterior of some of the most iconic structures across the globe, says Forrest. 
 

With sales offices in Seattle, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, Glasshape has achieved export levels of more than 75 percent of turnover in recent years.