A family-owned Montrose glazing business is eyeing further expansion in the north east after seeing sales soar.
Esk Glazing said a significant investment in new staff and machinery had paid off with full-year turnover increasing by approximately 60% to £2.4 million.
The firm, which was established 40 years ago by current managing director Eric Irons, has its headquarters in Montrose and a trade centre in Arbroath.
Eric’s son Craig, the firm’s business development manager, said they have enjoyed a strong period and are looking to grow further in the months ahead.
Esk, which became a third generation family business when Craig’s son and nephew joined as apprentices, has grown its workforce to around 30 and secured a string of large contracts after turning to Business Gateway for development advice.
The tie-up led to Esk going for ISO 9000, an industry-recognised quality management accreditation.
“We’ve found their advice extremely helpful, particularly in areas such as social media and marketing,” Craig said.
“Eric started out as glazier and didn’t go to university and I’m the same, so while we know our business inside out, we really appreciate the support in other areas,
“Our business adviser suggested we go for the ISO 9000 and it’s opened a lot of doors for us in terms of procurement.
“We recently completed two large secondary glazing contracts for Hillcrest Housing Association in Dundee and Edinburgh installing within listed buildings.
“We also completed a 300-window replacement contract with Dundee and Angus College at the Kingsway Campus in Dundee.”
The company opened a bespoke glass design studio led by Duncan of Jordanston College of Art graduate Emma McDermott in Dundee last year and it is now looking at opportunities to expand its footprint further.
“We’re growing a good reputation in the Aberdeen area and so we would like to open an office in the region at some point in the near future,” Craig said.
“While we are happy that we’re taking on larger clients, we continue to focus on customer service and add new products to our domestic installations department which is the integral part of the business.”
Business Gateway adviser Mike Hamilton said: “Esk Glazing is an excellent example of a well-established business that is continuing to grow.”
