With restructuring targets achieved, the Group became simpler, more focused, more efficient and more cost-effective.
Growth comprised: the opening of a new £25m toughening and laminating plant at Sandomierz in southern Poland, and the acquisition of a minority shareholding in International Glass Poland SA, which became a wholly-owned subsidiary; plans to build a new combined float, laminating and coating glass plant in France; a new UK distribution center for automotive replacement glass at Redditch and plans to build a new £5m large-scale mirror glass plant at its Cowley Hill site in St Helens.