Lumiglass Industries is probably the only unit in Dubai that can claim to have sold off its first year’s production, even before the company actually started operations.

What is more remarkable about the company is that its board has approved a second phase of expansion, even while its first phase at Al Quoz is still under way.
“The state-of-the-art plant, with a high level of automation and safety certifications, has helped us win several mega project and be the laminated product supplier to Dubai Airport extension project,” says general manager Harri Peramaa. “The advance sales we have secured from the project, has encouraged the management to add an additional 5.5 million euros ($7 million) to an original equity of 6.4 million euros.”
The second phase of expansion will more than double the size of the facility to 15,000 sq m. “It’s not the size of the facility that is causing excitement in glass industry circles, but the cutting edge machinery that will be housed within,” Peramaa points out.
“The company already has the biggest ever autoclave built by Tamglass and is planning  to acquire another one. A second glass bending furnace  (the longest of its kind in the Gulf), will also be acquired by Lumiglass, making it the biggest laminated bent glass facility in the region.
Once the expansion is complete, Lumiglass will be able to increase production to 0.8 million windscreens per annum, which is equivalent to two million sq m of glass for automotive use, he says.
Lumiglass is jointly owned by M’Sharie – part of Dubai Investments – and general manager Harri Peramaa, with key associated personnel.
“Our key personnel have a share in our company,” says Peramaa, “which is why we are 100 per cent committed!”
 Lumiglass has set its eyes on up-market projects, not only in the Gulf market but also around the globe, to serve the growing demand for various types of glass – automotive, architectural, flat stock-laminated, bullet resistant, security, anti-blast and curved, among others. The company is managed by highly professional people who have a long and successful record in the international glass industry, he adds.
The first phase of the facility includes a Robotech pre-processing line, an advanced automated screen-printing unit, and a computerised bending furnace – which is biggest serial furnace ever built.
The Tamglass autoclave housed within the first phase of the facility is the largest of its kind in the world and can produce laminated glass in sizes up to 6,000 by 2,500 mm.
For architectural glass products, the company has installed the latest and most sophisticated Tamglass flat lamination line, which can produce glass in thicknesses ranging from 6.38 mm up to 70 mm bullet-resistant combinations.
“Lumiglass has a range of equipment that can help detect distortion, fragmentation, ageing, and impact resistance, thereby ensuring a high level of quality control on all its products,” Peramaa states. “The proof of our quality is that Lumiglass’ products are suitable for sale to the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) as well as to the replacement market and we also have certifications including the ECE-R43, ANSI Z 26.1, ANSI Z 97.1 and the AS1 mark.”
Lumiglass will manufacture automotive glass products in all sizes and models for Japanese, European and American cars, trucks, and buses.
“Our level of automation makes us unique in the entire Middle East and the first choice to supply the flat laminated and curved laminated glass requirements for many international markets including the Middle East,” says Graham Greenberg, sales and marketing manager for architectural products division.
“Lumiglass is the only establishment in the region which has adapted to the changing environment and stricter safety and quality standards being enforced in the market.
‘‘We are setting precedents for others to follow. Our competitive edge is the professionalism of the team which has wide experience in the glass business,” Greenberg maintains.
Lumiglass’ products are being marketed under the Lumilam brand name. Manufactured by bonding together two or more sheets of high-quality glass with a tough plastic polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer under a heat and pressure process, it gives the end-user innumerable applications.
Lumilam, which is known for its safety characteristics including blast, bandit, hurricane, bullet, ultra-violet protection, sound control, solar control, and a reduction in the injuries caused by earthquakes, will be on display at the Big 5 show, Peramaa concludes.