Pilkington's so far, time to change?

[chas]

Have always been able to buy Pilk's float and rejoiced in its affordability, but our local merchants now either want a huge premium (ie x3 or x4) or cannot guarantee 'pure' Pilk's (may be mixed with St Gobain).
So, what recommendations for reliable clear 4mm alternatives are there, or can you point us to a Pilkington's merchant that could supply deepest Norfolk?

Cheers,
Chas

[chas]

Well, a bit of an update... it turns out there is no such thing as 'Pilkingtons' glass anymore, Pilkington now buy-in glass from a variety of sources to meet demand, and until recently that included the dreaded St Gobain. So, even a merchant reseller who only buys from Pilkington and thus could claim "it's Pilkington float" cannot be sure it was made by Pilkington. Many merchants buy from other merchants, and as 'glass is glass' when it comes to windows, don't need to keep makes seperate in their racks. It could be any old stuff in there, mixed - and so possibly inconsistent used in a production run like the 60 plates we were about to embark on.
In case none of this makes any sense, the concern is because devit or 'St Gobain dullness' was never a problem with 2,3,4 and 6 mm Pilington float glass. And it was a darn sight cheaper than any other. It seems to be the end of an era.

Chas.

[Moira HFG]

Oh, what a shame. It's the curse of global trade I suppose.

Could you explain the problem to Pilkington's, and ask to buy directly from them? They might even decide to market a 'Pilkington's own' brand for float fusers, if there's enough demand. You'll pay a premium, but it won't be as pricey as fusing glass.

Good luck!

[chas]

A very reasonable idea Moira, but I've tried penetrating their sales/tech teams to no effect other than to draw the comment, in the early days when we eanted to know the COE of float, "we don't know - we don't need to know". So, not much chance of niche purchasers being catered for.
No, we'll ultimately just have to take chances (there is a chance '2017 glass' will work) or finally, after 7 years, suffer the premium of fusing glass you've identified.

But thanks for the thought.

Chas