When Mirit Glas celebrates its 30+70=100 years anniversary on Friday, September 1, it is a company in constant change that has moved far from its starting point; from a supplier of hand-cut tempered glass for 1950s televisions to today, where the company delivers custom-made specialty glass to a wide range of industries – produced with the help of robots and high-precision machines.
The anniversary marks 30 years since Director Jens Milbrat joined the family business, and at the same time 70 years since Mirit Glas was established as Denmark’s first producer of tempered glass. An anniversary that has become a reality because Mirit Glas has managed to adapt to customer demands and desires.
“It is a balance to renew a company while respecting where we come from,” admits Jens Milbrat. As director, he has since 2008, when he took over the business with his brother, led extensive modernization, where advanced CNC machines and robots are now an integral part of the company’s daily operations.
But it’s not just about automating and exploiting new technology for the owner-managed company. Tools have been pulled out of the toolbox to also preserve values. This includes being inspired by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and working on a sustainability strategy that recognizes the company’s limitations in terms of high energy consumption. “To call ourselves a ‘green company’ would not be accurate. That would be greenwashing. We are working to be as green as it is possible for a glass producer to be,” emphasizes Jens Milbrat.
This focus has significantly reduced both electricity and water consumption, while virtually all environmentally hazardous chemicals have been removed from production.
A significant part of the company’s DNA is the decision to maintain production in Denmark. It’s a strategic decision that not only aligns with the zeitgeist but also anchors Mirit Glas in the local community.
“Local production is a part of our identity as an owner-managed, family-run company,” explains Milbrat.
With the thought of being an integral part of the local community, social responsibility is also on the agenda. With employees in flexible jobs and adult apprenticeship positions, Mirit Glas has proven that it’s possible to combine growth with social values.
“Our people are our most important resource, and their well-being is crucial to us,” adds Milbrat.
He emphasizes that the balance between innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility is important – perhaps especially for an owner-managed company – to ensure that the company meets the demands of the times. As Mirit Glas did in 1953. As the company does in 2023 – and hopefully in 2053 and beyond.
