Competitive Situation

One of the company’s biggest competitive assets is its ability to offer comprehensive deliveries. This is one of the advantages brought by the critical mass that Glaston has achieved. Glaston is able to offer its customers whole factory and line solutions. A comprehensive maintenance and service network close to the customer is also one of Glaston’s key competitive assets.

The brands have great significance in a competitive situation: Glaston’s key brands – Tamglass, Uniglass, Bavelloni and Albat+Wirsam – are known in the industry all over the world, and to customers they represent quality and reliability. The importance of brands is emphasised particularly during an economic downturn, when Glaston’s position typically strengthens, due to its leading market position.

Machines

In the Machines business area, Glaston is one of the world’s leading operators worldwide. In this business area, Glaston is able to offer its customers the widest product range and service offering on the market.

Glaston’s most significant competitors in the Machines business area are from Italy or elsewhere in Europe, China and Taiwan. Glaston’s size, however, distinguishes it from the other operators in the sector, because the sector is still fragmented. Chinese competitors are gradually also entering Europe and North America, but for now they are strongest in their home market. The Chinese operators have brought price competition along with them, but Glaston strives to compete with the technological quality of its products, its comprehensive service offering and by being geographically close to its customers.

Services

In the Services business area Glaston has the widest customer service network of the industry, both geographically and as far as the number of personnel is concerned. There are over 20 service offices. The Services segment also provides the most extensive service range in the field. The services offered cover the whole span of the product life cycle.

Glaston’s most significant competitor within the Services segment is each customer’s own service personnel. Especially the basic maintenance of the machines and appliances is a competitive area. The key competitive advantages of the segment are products and the expertise of the personnel. These are based on the know-how and technology of the primary machine supplier. In addition to Glaston’s own brands, the company provides maintenance and repair services for other brands.

Software Solutions

The Software Solutions business area has only one competitor that is able to offer software covering the whole sector worldwide. Other competitors are either local or tied to a certain make of machine. The business area’s competitive assets are independence of machine brands, innovation, and comprehensive understanding of its customers’ field of operation and business processes. Technological special expertise is strongest in the optimisation field.