Vetreria 2M was founded in 1988 in Brescia, northern Italy by Mauro Tanfoglio and Massimo Belleri. They now operate a factory of more than 7,000 square metres where they offer a variety of production, including both residential and large size commercial insulating glass as well as glass for interior design. A company continues to grow and has concrete goals for expansion.
“Mauro and I were colleagues before we became partners,” Belleri says, remembering the origins. “At the end of the 80s we opened our business: our goal was to specialize.”
Being able to process a variety of orders
Forel
They wanted to start a company with a proactive approach to the market, so Vetreria 2M chose Forel right from the get-go. This has continued to be company policy for the last 30 years, up to the recent installation of a High Tech insulating glass line, currently in operation.
See also: A UK glass processor looking back at 160 years of history
This is a production line capable of processing panels up to the XXL format of 6000×3300 mm as well as double, triple or even quadruple insulating glass, shaped and stepped units of up to 100 mm. In other words, a solution that offers considerable flexibility to Vetreria 2M who often process very different orders.
Even cooperating with other glassworks
In recent years, they have even taken to supplying other glass manufacturers, recognising that companies in their sector tended not to invest much in new equipment and technology. So, they decided to purchase new equipment that would allow them to offer products that others could not process.
As a result, many other glassworks have asked them to cooperate and Vetreria 2M’s clientele consists of individuals as well as companies that require expertise and support for special projects. These include several construction companies, to whom they supply finished product.
Environmental impact versus geopolitical situation?
“The Forel High Tech line fits in logically with our development plan,” explains Kevin Tanfoglio, Mauro’s son who is now also a member of the Board at Vetreria 2M. “It is a versatile tool: It allows us to produce common formats and types of insulating glass, but at the same time it allows us to process large pieces with various thicknesses or process automatically stepped units in-line. However, before choosing this machine, we chose the supplier.”
Also interesting: Redesigning a hotel exterior in southern Italy with modern pergolas
Forel
In the current economic climate, two realities are emerging internationally. On the one hand, the need to reduce the environmental impact wherever possible and on the other, it has become apparent, that geopolitical changes can impact heavily the cost of energy and raw materials.
Crucial role for insulating glass in the future
“All over the world, glass is becoming part of a wide-ranging process,” comments Kevin Tanfoglio. “The need to reduce energy consumption is on all agendas, but in Italy and Europe most buildings are now obsolete in energy saving performance. Upgrades will be necessary in the immediate to long term future, and glass will inevitably play a big part in this process.
He continues: “We all know that the performance of IGU’s today is significantly higher than windows produced 20 years ago and that, in many cases, exchanging old windows and doors with new ones has a significant impact on the thermal and energy performance of a building. For this reason, quality insulating glass will play a crucial role in the future. Companies that, like Vetreria 2M, have already equipped themselves with state-of-the-art solutions will obviously be at the forefront in the next phase.”
