Ardagh has not "lost a single customer" as a result of new competition in the glass industry and is confident it can survive any price war, its chairman Mr Paul Coulson told shareholders in Dublin yesterday.

The new competition comes from a £70 million glass plant in Fermanagh operated by businessman, Mr Sean Quinn, which has the capacity to supply the whole Irish market.

Mr Coulson told the company's annual general meeting that in response to the new competition, Ardagh has reduced its cost base and offered customers attractive packages.

He confirmed to shareholders that the company remains in discussions to acquire Rockware, the British glass subsidiary of multinational BTR.