Date: 2 September 2026
Supplied by Sparklike’s official UK and Ireland distributor Inagas, the investment gives ToughGlaze the latest in non-invasive handheld gas concentration measurement, complete with barcode scanning, data logging, and data export functionality.
About ToughGlaze
Winners of Glass Company of the Year at the 2024 G Awards, ToughGlaze is a well-respected name in the UK glass processing industry, synonymous with embracing innovation. That reputation is exactly why the most recently launched handheld gas concentration measuring device from Sparklike was the obvious choice to complement their production process.
NOVA’s Barcode Scanning Replaces Manual Data Logging
Kieran Stroker, National Sales Manager at ToughGlaze, explains how the company’s quality control needs evolved alongside its investment in production technology:
“Although a longstanding name in the glass processing arena, we’re relatively new to producing sealed units by comparison, so we’ve invested heavily in the latest machinery and software to ensure the process runs efficiently.”
ToughGlaze was already using a Handheld Sparklike device to monitor gas concentration levels straight off the production line and relies on its own software systems to track every piece of glass through the factory. When the NOVA launched with barcode scanning, data logging, and data export functionality, it closed a gap in that setup. As Kieran puts it:
“So, when we heard about the new NOVA and the brand-new functionality which offered bar code scanning, data logging and the ability to export the data, it provided a digital solution for something we’d been doing manually, so it was an obvious choice.”
More to read: Integrating Gas Measurement into Insulating Glass Quality Documentation Systems
Testing 1 in 10 Units — Ten Times the Regulatory Minimum
With the NOVA integrated into daily production, ToughGlaze has been able to significantly increase the scope of its testing regime:
“It’s really quick and easy for the operator to use. Using bar code labels that were already part of our production process, we scan and measure and can then download that data to align with that job number, to see exactly which units were checked during which hour of which shift on which day. To adhere to the current regulatory guidelines, IGU manufacturers should check the gas concentration levels in one unit per hundred, but we do every ten!”
The extra testing gives ToughGlaze a clearer, ongoing picture of how well its units are gas filled and reinforces the confidence it offers customers around quality. Kieran Stroker from ToughGlaze continues:
“It’s such a quick and straightforward process that there’s no reason not to do more. This enables us to get a proper understanding of the level to which our manufactured units are gas-filled, and it gives our customers real peace of mind when it comes to our commitment to quality. This is just another example of when ToughGlaze go above and beyond the required standard to deliver on the high-quality products our customer trust us to deliver.”
See all the features of nova.sparklike.com: IGU Gas Fill Trends: How to Turn Argon Measurement Data into Production Decisions
Inagas: A Seamless Installation and Ongoing Support
Kieran also credits the relationship with Inagas for making the adoption process smooth from start to finish. He describes the receipt, installation, and integration of the NOVA into ToughGlaze’s production process as seamless, with the Inagas team responsive to queries and aligned with how ToughGlaze itself likes to treat customers. As he sums it up:
“We weren’t just looking for a piece of equipment, we wanted a solutions provider, and we certainly found that with Inagas.”
That mindset reflects ToughGlaze’s broader approach to technology: the company has consistently invested in the latest solutions on the market to stay at the forefront of the industry, crediting that investment with driving major efficiency gains and high manufacturing standards. As Kieran puts it:
“We work hard to deliver on quality and the NOVA enables us to provide data that confirms that, if required, to give our customers that added peace of mind.”
World’s First NOVA Purchase Signals a New Quality Bar
Chris Kemp, Sales Director at Inagas, highlights what the partnership with ToughGlaze represents for the wider industry. He says he was delighted to work with ToughGlaze as they became the first company in the world to adopt the NOVA, pointing out that the purchase is underpinned by the company’s broader commitment to quality. As he puts it:
“Their customers trust them to deliver high quality, every time, and integrating the NOVA into their production process supports them in delivering on that expectation.”
Kemp also points to a wider shift across the industry, where IGU manufacturers face increasing scrutiny to not only meet efficiency standards but prove it with evidence:
“By incorporating the NOVA into their quality control process, ToughGlaze is able to quantify their performance claims and prove they are delivering units to an extremely high standard.”
Ensuring Traceable, Data-Backed Quality Control
The Sparklike Handheld NOVA™ gives IGU manufacturers a fast, non-destructive way to measure gas concentration while building a traceable digital record of every test performed.
For manufacturers like ToughGlaze, this means:
- Barcode scanning that links measurement data directly to job numbers
- Data logging and export for full traceability by shift, hour, and day
- The ability to test well beyond standard sampling requirements
- Documented proof of performance that gives customers added confidence
Learn More
Original article: ToughGlaze first IGU manufacturer in the world to own the Sparklike Handheld NOVA
Discover Sparklike Handheld NOVA™ – Non-destructive gas measurement with built-in data logging. Read more Sparklike customer stories to see how manufacturers around the world are ensuring reliable gas-filled units with Sparklike technology.
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