Defence Security

IDEX 2013: Tyneside's toughened glass comes into its own

Posted 18 February 2013

Toughened and laminated glass from UK manufacturer Tyneside Safety Glass will stand up to the most rigorous operational conditions – and the firm has the evidence to prove it.

Tyneside’s glass windows and panels have been shot from 5m and 10m by an assortment of weapons on the test range and maintained their integrity to satisfy various international standards.

That kind of performance and reliability is what matters to Tyneside’s growing list of military, defence and civil security clients around the world. The desire to expand that client base is the reason why the company is exhibiting at IDEX (Stand C4, 05).

Managing director Chris Hannant said “years of rigorous research and development” have gone into the glass the company supplies today. “Our strategy is to develop and supply the highest quality ballistic glass solutions that provide maximum protection and are reliable, durable and cost-effective,” he said.

Tyneside’s products are used by armed forces around the world. They can also be found in sports utility and cash-in-transit vehicles, luxury cars, and architectural applications including banks, government agencies, embassies and private residences.

“We have developed and tested a full range of specialist glass products which protect against both non-ballistic physical threat and ballistic threat levels and provide a discreet yet high level of protection,” said Hannant.

Since its earliest days producing specialist glass for military use in the Second World War, Tyneside has continued to expand and innovate. From two factories in Gateshead, the company’s experienced engineers design and produce glass solutions for individual requirements. Its skilled workforce is adept at turning out bullet-resistant glass in complex curved shapes, using state-of-the-art bending machinery.

When weight reduction is of paramount important, or a total anti-spall construction is required, Tyneside can offer a full range of tested glass/polycarbonate constructions, the benefits of which are reduced weight and thickness.

All the company’s products are tested and certified by official European external independent accredited testing facilities, said Hannant. “Lives depend on the reliability of our products.”