Clearview National December 2014 - Issue 157 | Page 64

GLASS&SEALEDUNITS

Pyroguard Set to Strengthen the
Future of Fire–Resistant Glass
»»David Jolliffe, CEO of
CGI Group, recently invited
Clearview to visit the company’s
manufacturing site in Haydock,
Merseyside and take a look at the
improvements the management
team had made to the business,
and discuss his views on how the
company is keeping its finger on
the pulse; with the creation of
new products to offer customers
the safest fire safety glass solution
product in the marketplace.
CGI Group specialise in the
development and manufacturer
of fire glass solutions, under its
brand; Pyroguard. The business
has a large commercial presence
throughout Europe, including
Ireland, France, the Netherlands,
Poland and Scandinavia and a
dedicated export team currently
deals with these, and other
countries outside of the UK.
Since joining the business 5
years ago, Scottish-born David
and his management team have
developed the company to
run effectively, developing and
producing a number of high-class
and recognisable branded fire
safety products to the glazing
industry.
David explained how he feels
the market for specialist fire
resistant glass has changed:

“Over
recent years, the fire glass market
has undoubtedly evolved, and
we have seen the growth of
large companies specialising in
fire glass solutions rather than
these projects being handled by
smaller, non-specialist glaziers.
“We have noticed a higher
demand, via specifiers wanting
EW and EI insulated glass in
many of the new build projects.
Architect’s not replacing existing
glass in refurbishment projects,
are also looking at higherspecification products which are
more visually appealing. There
has also been a higher demand
for increased levels of sound
insulation, which is an added
benefit of Pyroguard products.”
The Pyroguard range
comprises of 44 different types of

64 » DEC 2014 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M

fire glass solutions, from integrity
only (E) to full installation (EI).
Pyroguard products range from
30 minutes to 3 hours of fire
resistance in an application and
are available in single, double or
tripled glazed options; frameless
or butt jointed systems.
One of CGI’s competitive
strength in the market has to be
its research and development set
up, both in the UK and at its
second manufacturing plant in
Seingbouse, east of France.
David Comments: “Our
experienced R & D team has
delivered Pyroguard EW30
Impact, a 2B2 impact classified
glass, FD60 for fire rated doors
and EW30 Maxi, and the 11mm
laminated fire glass product that
brings to the market the largest
tested size of its kind for 30
minute applications.
“Research and development
is a major part of our business,
and a continual process for us in
order to keep the business at the
forefront of the market. We also
recently expanded our customer’s
technical support and opened a
technical office in London.”
“Our UK operations have
experienced a strong take up
of our products more recently
and we have seen like-for-like
sales increasing to around 20%

compared to last year. We aim
to make it as easy as possible for
glass processors to do business
with us, and our CE licensing
network for Pyroguard resellers
is designed to give full technical
support and high levels of service
to licensees.
“We are currently embarking
on an ambitious growth strategy,
with plans to both enter new
territories and also increase our
market share in the UK, Ireland,
France and the Netherlands.
“The first stage of our growth
plans has been the recruitment
of new talent in the Finance,
Technical Sales and Marketing
teams. We have also launched
a new website with a product
selector and technical document
in order to help customers
select the right specification for
projects.” David concluded.
David has a strong and
positive outlook for the future of
the company’s flagship branded
product; Pyroguard, and believes
CGI Group is now in a strong
position to shine over above
its competitors, offering its
customers and the markets a fire
resistant glass solution for every
eventuality.
2015 will be an interesting
time for CGI Group and
Pyroguard.

Wishing you a merry
Christmas and a
prosperous New Year