First choice among ­thin-glass float plants

Two German machinery manufacturers, JSJ Jodeit (JSJ) and German Floatglass Technology (GFT), have been combining their expertise in a close collaboration for over two years.

As a result, they have been operating successfully on the market as the first independent suppliers of complete float glass plants for thin glass. With years of application experience in the process automation of float glass plants, Siemens has come on board as a preferred partner.

"We’re proud that we’ve been able to win over so many leading German companies for equipping our new production facilities in the Chinese glass sector. That represents a milestone in the industry."

Zhou Zhijian, Chairman of Ruiben Group

Complete core technology in the melting area

For both JSJ and GFT, their exclusive and close collaboration is far more than a convenient partnership. The companies are an excellent match both in terms of their orientation and their size. In addition, they share a common philosophy.

Both are innovative and collaborative players that offer their customers complete solutions and services from a single source, especially in the flat glass industry.

“In the field of float glass plants for thin glass, we’re the only companies in the free market that offer the entire core technology in the melting and forming area,” says Dennis Schattauer, managing partner of German Floatglass Technology GmbH, as he describes the unique selling point of the collaboration.

Both companies see themselves in the roles of coordinator, consortium leader, and even general contractor, depending on their customers’ requirements. Experience shows that plant operators and investors prefer to look for complete turnkey solutions, not just individual disciplines.

This is another argument in favor of the collaboration, particularly because conventional general contractors typically only provide planning services and not the actual value creation.

Interfaces to Siemens

Depending on the scope of the project, JSJ and GFT bring other close partners like Siemens on board. “Siemens in particular is our first choice when it comes to projects involving automation and drive technology, electrification, instrumentation, and even the supply and auxiliary systems in the glass factory,” says Dr. Harald Jodeit, managing partner of JSJ Jodeit GmbH, speaking as a representative for the collaboration.

And they provide tailored solutions for the thin glass field that JSJ and GFT can integrate in their portfolio. “That’s just one side of the coin, however. Siemens is more than just a component supplier. We and certainly the glass manufacturers value the solutions and systems expertise at Siemens,” explains Jodeit. 

First reference project with the Ruiben Group

The collaboration has already delivered its first successes: At the end of February 2016, the Chinese Ruiben Investment Group decided to work with JSJ and GFT. JSJ will handle the overall coordination for four special float glass projects and will supply the melting furnaces and batch plants (in collaboration with Zippe).

GFT was commissioned to provide the float bath technology that will be used in the new production facilities. With Umicore (platinum systems), Pennekamp (lehrs), Grenzebach (cold end), and Siemens (plant-wide automation), the Chinese investor is also relying on other German specialists in the glass industry.