Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £248.6m in 2025.
Trends and Insights
International operations are overshadowing UK glass manufacturing
- The number of flat glass manufacturing plants in the UK has been on a downward spiral since 2022-23, with the number of establishments falling by 22.2% in 2023-24, as multinational owners have shifted operations overseas. For example, Pilkington moved one of its automotive plants to Finland in 2017. Imports have risen, as UK manufacturers are scarce compared to those in Europe, fostering a highly competitive environment, leaving domestic manufacturers to struggle.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Product innovation places manufacturers in good stead, but competition is still a threat
- Efforts to pursue a green industrial revolution will benefit flat glass manufacturers in the coming years. The Future Homes Standard aims to ensure that all new homes built from 2025 produce between 75% and 80% fewer carbon emissions than homes delivered under current regulations, with requirements for a 31% reduction in emissions introduced through the updated Building Regulations in 2022-23.
Biggest companies in the Flat Glass Manufacturing in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue (£m)
2026 |
|---|---|---|
Saint-Gobain Glass (United Kingdom) Ltd | 107.9 | |
Pilkington United Kingdom Ltd | 90.9 | |
Guardian Industries UK Ltd | 39.5 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Float glass, Rolled glass and Drawn and blown flat glass. Float glass is the largest segment of the Flat Glass Manufacturing in the UK.
Trends and Insights
The float process dominates UK flat glass production
- The float process was invented by Sir Alastair Pilkington in 1952. It manufactures clear, tinted and coated glass for buildings and clear and tinted glass for vehicles. It can produce glass as thin as 0.4 millimetres and as thick as 25 millimetres. Standard four-millimetre float glass sheets are the most popular and dominate the share of float glass generated revenue, followed by six-millimetre sheets.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in this industry manufacture flat glass. Most of this is float glass but some is rolled glass. Small amounts are drawn and blown flat glass. This type of glass is manufactured in large, flat sheets and is commonly used in various applications, including windows, glass doors, architectural glazing and automotive glass. This can include clear glass, tinted glass, coated glass for energy efficiency and other specialised glass products. The industry manufactures wired, coloured and tinted glass. This industry doesn’t include flat glass that has then been shaped or processed. That is flat glass that is toughened, laminated, coated or transformed into a mirror.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom include Float glass, Rolled glass and Drawn and blown flat glass.Companies
Companies covered in the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom include Saint-Gobain Glass (United Kingdom) Ltd, Pilkington United Kingdom Ltd and Guardian Industries UK Ltd.Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom include curtain wall, cullet, leader, float glass, rolled glass and tinted glass.Industry Code
SIC 23.11 - Flat Glass Manufacturing in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Construction markets have provided some solace. Struggling glass makers have been supported by resilient housebuilding activity. Public affordable housing schemes have driven...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Most UK flat glass is made using the float process.The high quality and versatility of float ensures it is the first choice for flat glass manufacturers.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Yorkshire remains a popular region for glass producers. Saint-Gobain and Guardian operate plants in the region; the cluster effect keeps them tied there.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
New entrants would struggle to compete against the largest manufacturers. The financial power of these global players and the volume of capital required to establish operatio...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
There are just three flat glass manufacturers in the UK. These three companies are well-established in the UK market and are able to draw on supply chain partners across the ...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of Saint-Gobain Glass (United Kingdom) Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Pilkington United Kingdom Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Guardian Industries UK Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Saint-Gobain Glass (United Kingdom) Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Pilkington United Kingdom Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Guardian Industries UK Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Government schemes provide needed industry assistance. The Industrial Transformation Fund and UK Research and Innovation provide the industry with new efficiency opportunitie...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Restructuring and competition impact profit. Companies have undergone restructuring in the hope of cutting costs and aiding profit. However, cheaper imports, particularly fro...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2019-2023)
- Coverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Leverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Operating Ratios (2019-2023)
- Assets (2019-2023)
- Liabilities (2019-2023)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
The market size of the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is £248.6m in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
There are 5 businesses in the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 10.8 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom?
The Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is likely to be impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a moderate share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom?
The Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is likely to be impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a moderate share of industry revenue.
Has the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 1.3 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom are Saint-Gobain Glass (United Kingdom) Ltd, Pilkington United Kingdom Ltd and Guardian Industries UK Ltd
What does the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom include?
Float glass and Rolled glass are part of the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is Saint-Gobain Glass (United Kingdom) Ltd.
How competitive is the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom?
The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom.
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Competitors
Complementors
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Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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