NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Construction of SAGE’s new dynamic glass manufacturing plant took a big leap forward today as the company announced contracts with several equipment vendors to provide the key technologies that will drive the plant’s high-tech manufacturing processes.
When complete, the facility will be the world’s largest and most advanced dynamic glass manufacturing plant, able to produce dynamic glass in high volumes and in large commercial architectural sizes at an affordable cost for the first time. SAGE’s green-built facility, which is seeking LEED Silver accreditation, is being constructed in Faribault, Minn., 40 miles south of Minneapolis.
Germany-based Leybold Optics will install the world’s largest thin-filming coating system for glass production. The record-breaking coating line will be almost 500 feet long, and feature a new kind of twin-sputter deposition system, among its other technological breakthroughs.
In an innovative manufacturing twist, the plant will also employ technology from Manz Automation typically used in the production of thin-film solar photovoltaic modules. Manz will install a range of products including laser structuring, laser cutting and an LCD-grade chemical cleaning system that gives SAGE very high precision glass substrates and coatings.
Lisec America, a part of the LISEC group of companies, will provide a variety of glass fabrication technologies that will automate and accelerate production of SageGlass in high volumes. These include glass loaders, cutters, grinders, sealers and frame benders, as well as factory control software to manage the production line. "We are proud to partner with SAGE by providing automated solutions for the production of their next generation SageGlass," said Bob Quast, Lisec America's CEO.
“We invested in the world’s best available manufacturing technologies to produce a dynamic glass product of uncompromising quality and reliability,” said Glenn Gengel, SAGE’s vice president of manufacturing operations. “Our challenge is three-fold: to deliver our next generation SageGlass in high volumes with incredible consistency and in large sizes needed by the commercial architectural market. The new plant will represent the state-of-the-art in dynamic glass production.”
SAGE’s new facility is expected to begin operations late 2012 and bring more than 160 “green collar” jobs and 200 construction jobs to the state.
About Leybold Optics
As one of the world leaders in thin film technology, Leybold Optics develops and manufactures vacuum deposition equipment for a broad range of applications. Originally, the foundation for the firm’s present-day success was laid by inventors Ernst Leybold and Wilhelm Carl Heraeus 160 years ago. Today, Leybold Optics is a globally active high-tech company, with main facilities in Dresden and Alzenau, and world-wide over 500 employees. Leybold Optics products are grouped into two divisions: Optics and Solar. The portfolio offered by the Solar Division includes vacuum systems for the photovoltaic industry as well as machines for the coating of architectural glass, displays and other large surfaces. The Optics Division commercializes deposition systems for precision optics, eyeglass coating, the automotive and the electronics industry. A top priority for Leybold Optics is innovation leadership in key areas such as sputtering, PECVD, plasma assisted evaporation, machine automation and software, as well as world-class customer service.
About The LISEC Group:
The Lisec Group of Companies with headquarters in Hausmening, Austria, is a global leader in providing flat glass fabrication solutions and automation. Lisec's worldwide portfolio of products include equipment for glass cutting, insulating glass and laminated glass production, vertical waterjet cutting and edge processing, flat-bed tempering and photovoltaic module lines for the solar industry as well as business and production control software. The Lisec Group has over 2,000 employees worldwide and offices in more than 50 countries. The Lisec Group does business in North America through Lisec America, Inc. Lisec America, founded in 1998, offers complete Lisec hi-tech solutions, service and spare parts for the flat glass fabrication market throughout North America. For more information about Lisec products and services, please contact Lisec America at 12571 Oliver Ave. So. Suite 100, Burnsville, MN 55337. Phone: 952-641-9900, Fax: 952-641-9933, URL: www.lisecamerica.com.
About Manz Automation AG
Manz Automation AG, based at Reutlingen, Germany, is a globally leading high-tech mechanical engineering company. The company, which was founded in 1987, has developed over recent years from an automation specialist into a provider of integrated production lines for the photovoltaic industry (crystalline and thin film), and for the manufacturing of flat screens. The development and manufacturing of production systems for lithium-ion batteries comprises a new business area. The Group of companies, which is managed by founder Dieter Manz, and which has been listed on the Germany stock market since 2006, currently manufactures in Germany, China, Taiwan, Slovakia and Hungary. There are also distribution and service branches in the USA, South Korea, India and Spain. The company employed around 1,900 staff as of the end of April 2011, 900 of whom are located in Asia. Revenue in the past financial year amounted to more than EUR 181 million. With their new "passion for efficiency" claim, Manz express their service commitment to provide ever more efficient production systems to their customers that operate in important sectors of the future.
See SAGE at the AIA Show, May 12-14, 2011, Booth #3622
About SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.
SAGE Electrochromics is the world’s leading developer of dynamic window glass that changes tint to optimize daylight and improve the human experience within buildings. SageGlass controls the sunlight entering a building, keeping it comfortable and reducing energy consumption. SageGlass is a smarter, more elegant solution to problematic conventional sun controls such as mechanical window shades, blinds and louvers. The company was founded in 1989 and is headquartered near Minneapolis, in Faribault, Minn., the “silicon valley of the glass industry.” SAGE is strategically partnered with the Saint-Gobain company of Paris, France, the global leader in glass, building products and distribution.
For more information visit:
Website: www.sage-ec.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Sage_Glass
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/sage-electrochromics-inc.