As long as Australians seek innovative glazing and décor solutions, Glasstech will continue to fulfil their clients’ expectations with some of the finest products available in the glass industry.

Whilst there have been numerous articles published about the guy who built this or that business from a one man band to a highly successful companies across many diverse markets, the Glasstech story is very different as it is highly capital intensive and propers in a regional market which superficially would be considered a very limited opportunity.

From the very beginning, Ian Williams has always been a man on the move, very active in his association with motor sport; competitive and ambitious with a simple but committed vision which clearly flows into the evolution of his business. Starting off as a glazier in Bundaberg, he quickly assessed the limitations of the local potential yet the pull of family and the far north meant that he needed a fertile market without moving south. The bigger business capitals were simply not a consideration. Ultimately he chose Cairns and set up a small glazing shop with only wife Gayle assisting with customer service and bookkeeping. At this stage glazing meant the usual window replacement, basic mirror installations and the odd pet door. The limitations were obvious although many other small businesses survive and provide an income in this manner.

Ian thought about the market, asked people, lots of people in the related trades and identified both new product opportunities and the existing local limitations for popular products. With this clearly in mind, the objective was simple; provide capacity and new products which would draw interest to his business. Sounds simple even obvious you say, well yes but, glass processing equipment is generally very expensive and many machines are designed for very specific processes therefore multiple purchase involves high capital. The balance proved to be sourcing some products in from larger suppliers down south and the purchase of a second hand bevelling machine, sight unseen but reportedly in working order from the US. So far so good, and for around 20% of the original cost the machine duly arrived in Cairns and yes is did operate in a fashion but the output quality was another story. The outcome was a complete strip and rebuild costing more than the up front purchase but resulting in a machine capable of very marketable product and still for about 50% of the price of a new machine. The company was now called “Mirror Connections” and employed Ian, Gayle and two others!

The treatment repeated with the purchase of a straight-line edging machine from the local branch of a large national company. This machine was on its way to the tip when Ian spied it and offered an alternative new home. He was told it was scrap and would never work so “don’t blame us”. But with the same care and attention to detail this too resurrected and was put into viable operation. When the manager visited he didn’t recognize the machine and couldn’t believe the output quality…and so the story continued. By now the company name was limiting the market perception of the capacity of the business so it was changed to “Glasstech” which continues to encompass the scope of the operation.

As the company has grown so has the ability and commitment to purchase state of the art capital equipment such that the company now boasts a new purpose built building (presentation is everything) which houses the latest fully computerized float glass cutting line, laminated glass cutting machine, CNC detailing machines, high capacity/volume glass edgers and beveller, diamond drilling, edge arrissing, tempering system and packaging line. All up an investment approaching $5M which means that the construction industry recognizes Glasstech as the most advanced and competent glass facility in the far north, but even that may be a modest statement typical of Ian’s approach to life and business. The dependence on other manufacturers is long past and the company is in control of its own destiny.

With 25 years in the glazing industry, Ian commented that the perception of glass has undergone considerable change; no longer just a functional material, glass is selected for its’ performance and aesthetic qualities across a broad range of applications. The options are exciting and challenging with the company well placed, however he firmly believes that honesty, integrity, hard work and devotion to supplying a quality product remain the backbone to the company’s success.

Today with a staff of 33 and a multimillion dollar turnover, Glasstech enjoys more than just casual interest from the far larger nationally based rivals. Expanding into other North Queensland cities, Ian and his team are confident of their future growth and one thing can be assured; that the business will continue to operate under that same, simple philosophy, so watch this space…