Consolidation and Globalisation

Consolidation in the OE customer base saw the top six vehicle manufacturer groups increase their combined global market share from 57 per cent to 80 per cent by 2002. Over the same period the three global glass supplier groupings, of which Pilkington Automotive is one, expanded their combined global market share from 49 per cent to 66 per cent.

The increased requirements being placed by the VMs on the glass suppliers favours the 'Global Three' OE glazing alliances in terms of the industry's need for:

• technical capabilities - shaping, optics, design feasibility/simulation 
• global reach 
• capital investment in support of both volume and leading edge capability