80 WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS <strong>July</strong>/<strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> HAMILTON WINDSCREENS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS – LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED 07 849 2818 A8807T HAMILTON WINDSCREENS 712 Te Rapa Road, Hamilton | www.hamiltonwindscreen.co.nz | info@hamiltonwindscreen.co.nz
HAMILTON WINDSCREENS Hamilton Windscreens offering quality for 30 years WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS <strong>July</strong>/<strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> 81 Hamilton Windscreens has just notched up 30 years in business. Ever-present for the full three decades has been co-owner Dean Holmes, who started the firm on a memorable date with all the eights - 8/8/88 - and has seen it flourish since. That’s largely down to the strong emphasis on customer service and quality workmanship, says co-owner Marcus Steele. He should know - he started as a 17-year-old apprentice 24 years ago, and, like so many others, stayed put, eventually buying a 50 percent stake in the business, which offers a comprehensive range of automotive glass services. These days, Marcus and Nick Ashton look after the day-to-day running of the workshop side of things, while Lisa Burroughs and Kate Healey look after the office administration. About 10 years ago Dean stepped out of the day to day running of Hamilton Windscreens and now concentrates on his wholesale business. Hamilton Windscreens has always had a very family orientated work environment, and this shows in the longevity of many of the staff. A photo in the office shows Collin Donker smiling broadly back at the camera, coffee in his hand and the sweep of the Grand Canyon behind him. Sadly, Collin passed away almost three years ago while still working for the firm, but his memory is very much present for the staff who worked with him for so long. “Collin came on board a year or so after I bought the business,” says Dean. “He was a significant part of Hamilton Windscreens.” When Dean bought the business, it was in Euclid Ave, not far from its current site at 712 Te Rapa Straight. It hasn’t moved far physically over the years, but it has developed enormously. Some customers have been with them for the full 30 years. Clients with a long track record include Porter Hire, TRT Group, Car Dealerships, panelbeaters, electricians and plumbers. The first couple of years were hard going, but as the reputation for quality workmanship and great customer service grew, so did the business. Fast forward 30 years and with around 10 staff on board, Hamilton Windscreens is one of the biggest independent automotive windscreen shops in New Zealand. One of Dean’s brighter ideas in the early stages, and certainly one of his more colourful, was to brand everything with the highly distinctive purple that still marks out their building, signage and vehicles. “I got a fair bit of flak for that,” he laughs. But the memorable colour has become well known to many (common phrase: look out for the bright purple building on Te Rapa Straight). “I used it for our profile and to make us stand out, which I think it always has.” Technology has changed hugely over the three decades. Dean remembers the “toughened” windscreens, which created plenty of the early business for the firm because of their propensity to shatter. These days, the laminated windscreens won’t shatter, but will chip or crack instead. Arriving with that technology are rain sensors and camera technology that are used for lane departure warnings and as a form of cruise control. As for chipped windscreens, Marcus and Nick recommend getting on to them as soon as possible to prevent the chip spreading. “We will assess to see if the screen can be repaired first, or replacement is undertaken,” Marcus says. They offer a same-day service, and a mobile service for those who can’t make it to their workshop. They can also deal with insurance, speaking directly to the insurer on behalf of the customer and taking care of any paperwork. On an average day Hamilton Windscreens deals with Co-owners Dean and Marcus. about 40 jobs, and on a busy day cope comfortably with up to 80. That could include replacement, repair, or removal for panelbeaters, and takes in side windows, and mirror glass as well as windscreens - the full range of glass used for vehicles. They cover everything from private cars, fleet vehicles, trucks and heavy machinery, along with boats. Hamilton Windscreens specialises in classic cars. Those jobs typically require more time, and for the hardto-source vehicle glass it is not uncommon to get these manufactured, says Marcus. Some customers have been with them for the full 30 years. Clients with a long track record include Porter Hire, TRT Group, Car Dealerships, panelbeaters, electricians and plumbers. They build up relations with their long-time customers, who will often stop in for a cupppa while they wait for a repair. “We like to think it’s a pretty customer friendly-type environment,” says Marcus. He puts customer service and workmanship top of his list, and says the environment for the staff is also important. “You like to think that the guys enjoy coming to work, they socialise together, everyone gets on.” This is reflected in low staff turnover, with many having been there up to 15 years. Marcus says the success of the business must also be attributed to the dedicated and hardworking team they have on board. So what is coming up? “We’re going to give the front of the shop a bit of a makeover. That will be coming within the next six months. “And obviously… expect the colour purple to be part of that. “Finally, we would like to say a big thank you to all the customers that have supported Hamilton windscreens over the past 30 years.” The Hamilton Windscreens team: L to R, Dean, Nick, John, Anthony, Dayna, Regan, Penno, Lisa, Tyler and Marcus. (Absent Kate) FAIRVIEW MOTORS PROUD TO SUPPORT HAMILTON WINDSCREENS FOR 30 YEARS Proud to be supporting Hamilton Windscreens as they celebrate their 30th year in business Phone: 07 838 2593 | Email: info@chungca.co.nz Address: 39 Thackeray Street PO Box 9202, Hamilton 3240 BUSINESS ADVISORS - WWW.CHUNGCA.CO.NZ
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