On 26 April 2010, Saint-Gobain Sekurit and Trakya Cam signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to set up a 50-50 joint-venture specialized in producing and selling automotive glass in Russia.

 

The investment project is to build a plant in the Republic of Tatarstan with production due to come on stream in 2013 and able to supply the full glass car-set - windshield, side lites and backlites - to equip 500,000 vehicles a year.

 

This manufacturing facility will be located close to a flat glass (float) production plant which will be built by Trakya Cam, with the participation of Saint-Gobain, and start production in 2012.

 

"This investment is completely in line with Saint-Gobain's growth strategy in the emerging countries. It will enable Saint-Gobain Sekurit, one of the world's leading auto glass groups, to strengthen its industrial network and support the growth of its customers" explains Benoît d'Iribarne, CEO of Saint-Gobain Sekurit and Saint-Gobain Glass.

 

In the words of Gülsüm Azeri, Şişecam Flat Glass CEO and Chairman of Trakya Cam: "This partnership project in Russia with Saint-Gobain is another milestone in the rapid growth of Trakya Cam automotive glass business. In addition to its auto glass facilities in Turkey and Bulgaria serving Turkish and European markets, Trakya Cam aims to efficiently serve the fast growing Russian automotive industry from a local production base."

 

Source: GlassOnWeb