Waikato Business News October/November 2016

WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS October/November 2016 29
Customers love the ‘new
look’ Cambridge Glass
When customers visit Cambridge Glass
these days, they notice a new look.
2016 has been a year of
change and reinvention
as Glenn and Jos Philip
have marked 10 years as owners
by relaunching the business.
The attractive Commerce
St building looks fresh, the
showroom has been done up
and looks modern and bright,
while the business has expanded
and diversified into delivering
new products. A new website
is being developed and
Glenn and Jos recently entered
the Waipa Networks Business
Awards for the first time and
were rewarded as finalists in
the Small Business category.
Glenn said “we received great
feedback from the judges and
we have been able to action
some changes based on their
recommendations.” Jos agreed
it was a very worthwhile experience
and they are looking
forward to entering again in
the future.
The relaunch coincides
with the full time return to the
business of Jos after 10 years
of raising children.
“This has been a year of
updating, bringing everything
to where we wanted it to be,”
says Jos.
“We’ve been here 10 years
and it was time for a new look,
time for the shop to reflect the
products we specialise in.”
The milestone also reflects
the fact that Cambridge Glass
has grown significantly over
the years. In recent weeks the
business has taken on a new
apprentice, Austin, who joins
Glenn and fellow tradesman
Scott.
“As young first time business
owners starting out we
didn’t want to grow too quickly
and then struggle as some
businesses do, it’s been slow
and steady with some hard
years but it’s been worth it”
says Jos.
“But this year it’s been
quite exciting, we’ve grown to
that point where we just need
that extra pair of hands, especially
with all the showers and
large splashbacks we are now
installing”
The business has also diversified
away from predominantly
re-glazing work to custom
made showers Mirrors and
splashbacks. “we have also
become authorised agents for
Master Glaziers who handle
the bulk of the insurance work
for the major companies as
well as a partnership with
Glass Art NZ”
“Almost everything we
install is custom made. We
take the time to talk to our
clients, check things like doorways
and tile grouting lines so
that the finished product lines
up and looks like it was made
for the room.”
Glenn and Jos have noticed
how, as Cambridge’s building
industry booms, the popularity
of frameless glass showers has
taken off.
“We used to do a couple a
month but now it’s a couple a
week. Because you can fully
customise frameless showers,
it gives customers so many
different options.”
Another trend is the growth
in popularity of digital splashbacks
– images printed on
glass - and Jos says they have
“several we are working with
customers on right now”. The
key for customers is picking
the right image. “I work very
closely with our clients to
ensure the final product is one
they say WOW when they see
it.” Choosing an image can be
a long process but it’s worth it
and I help them every step of
the way. “I advise them to pick
the one that takes their break
away when they see it, you
don’t want it to be just nice -
you want it to be stunning.”
But the bedrock of
Cambridge Glass’ success
remains its customer service –
a focus which has kept a loyal
clientele through the economy’s
ups and downs over
the years. Customer service
is something they never compromise
on and they will stand
by all their work. Glenn, also
a voluntary fireman, is well
known, having worked in the
business for 14 years before
they purchased it. “Sometimes
our customers come to us with
a dream, a look they want
to achieve but they are not
sure if it’s possible or how to
go about it. Glenn’s 24 years’
experience means he can think
outside of the box and we can
usually make it happen.”
Cambridge Glass is offering
Waikato Business News readers
who purchase a splashback
a FREE can of High Sheen
Glass cleaner which can also
be used on windows, showers
and mirrors.
Readers who book in a
Frameless shower will receive
a 15 percent discount on an
Ezy-Clean protective coating
– this is a new product on offer
which results in clear glass
with no water marks for a minimum
of 10 years.
PH 07 827 6480
3 Commerce St,Cambridge
24/7 CALL OUTS
PH 0274 986 046
enquiries@cambridgeglass.co.nz
www.cambridgeglass.co.nz
Broken Windows | Frameless Showers | Splashbacks
Custom Mirrors | Table Tops |New Glazing | Pet Doors
J3896A