Innovation at IRD Glass: A Culture of Continuous Improvement
At IRD Glass, innovation isn’t just about bringing new capabilities to market —it’s a mindset that drives us to improve every process, every product, and even ourselves. As we continue our blog series on our core values, let’s dive into how innovation shapes our work and sets us apart in precision glass manufacturing.
Innovation in Process Improvement
We believe excellence isn’t a destination but a continuous, steady path. Whether refining a production process to increase efficiency and reducing the costs to our customers or investing in automation to enhance quality, we always look for ways to innovate. A great example of this effort is our dedicated BDU cell, which takes initial product development processes—achieved at an 80% completion level—and further refines them through process improvements and development. This ensures that when a product reaches full-scale production, it’s optimized for maximum performance and manufacturability.
Continuous Reinvestment & Automation
We don’t just talk about innovation—we put our money where our values are. IRD Glass reinvests at least 5% of revenue into new technology, updated staff training, and automation. This commitment ensures we stay ahead of industry trends and continually enhance our capabilities and skills. From advanced CNC machining to cutting-edge metrology tools, our investments in technology allow us to produce the most precise and reliable glass components for our customers.
Expanding Innovation with New Technologies
- New Material Research – We explore value engineering and cost improvement ideas to optimize material selection and enhance performance.
- Additional Equipment – We invest in technology that enables more LEAN processing methods, reducing cycle time and improving efficiency.
- Fixtures – We develop new devices that reduce load and unload times while enhancing repeatability and precision.
- Inspection Systems – We upgrade and implement new inspection equipment to reduce variation, improve quality control, and increase overall efficiency.
Innovation Beyond the Shop Floor
Innovation isn’t confined to our production lines—it’s a value that extends to personal growth and professional development. Our team members are encouraged to set ambitious goals inside and outside the office. We also provide opportunities for our team to develop new skills and bring fresh ideas to the table. Whether streamlining internal workflows, adopting new software tools, or finding creative solutions for customers, we foster a culture where everyone has a voice in driving innovation.
The Future of Innovation at IRD Glass
As we look ahead, our commitment to innovation remains unwavering. Whether it’s developing new products, optimizing our processes, or pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with precision glass manufacturing, we are dedicated to making your dreams for tomorrow a reality today.
Stay tuned as we continue to explore IRD Glass’s core values—next up: Partnership!