The 1980s were exciting times, but they were challenging for a small start-up business
Established in late 1987, the Thermaglaze journey started with David, a mate, and one van.
From the outset, David’s standards were set high with a simple ‘no compromise’ rule and an underlying need to be the best.
David believed that to achieve this, he had to build a reputation second to none in an industry with a justified stigma for high pressure, high prices, generally poor workmanship and inferior aftercare service.
So, he set out to provide the opposite of all these negatives. As a result, a small office and storage were opened in Sutton Veny, and a part-time secretary was employed.
By 1990, the small office had been transformed into Thermaglaze’s first modest showroom.
Vans were branded, and small adverts appeared in the local papers. As word spread that there was a new double glazing company in town, a company with a difference, Thermaglaze signs started to appear outside homes everywhere.
More staff joined the team, many with reputable backgrounds who wanted to be part of the winning team. Some, we saw, had a real passion for perfection and were trained to meet the standards that were expected and embedded into the Thermaglaze ethos, which still remains to this day!
The 1990s – Hello, internet; it’s time for the journey to get serious.
By the early 1990s, the industry grew rapidly, with many manufacturers developing new products. Working with Pilkington Glass, Thermaglaze was the first local company to offer argon-gas-filled units as standard. This approach to improving standards has continued throughout the years.
Thermaglaze was always looking for the next generation of products and often worked with suppliers and manufacturers during this period to improve their range both technically and visually. The early 1990s were a time when you could have your windows in either white or mahogany and with either white or gold handles; now, things were starting to change.
By the mid-90s, the World Wide Web was being labelled as the future, and we started working on our first website, although no one was sure if anyone would ever see it! By the end of the millennium, a simple double-glazed window was no longer good enough. Energy efficiency and security standards were constantly improving. It was exciting and challenging.
The 2000s – Finally, some credibility for our Industry.
Thermaglaze worked hard to be recognised and registered for installation standards. Working with suppliers such as Ultraframe, they achieved a 98% BBA rating and were undoubtedly the local leading conservatory installation company.
Growing increasingly frustrated at the lack of credibility within the industry, Thermaglaze was always looking to have standards regulated. Although some may have thought it was an ‘April fools’, on 1st April 2002, window and door replacements came under the control of building regulations, and therefore, all installations had to comply. It was great news and just what the industry needed.
Again, we were at the forefront of helping shape the future. We were among the first local companies to be self-regulated under the FENSA registration scheme. Now a sizeable regional company with many employees and contractors, TG was an expert within the industry and in the marketplace. They became the first company to publish price lists and the first company to hold open weekends, where potential customers would visit the showroom to meet with industry experts from all over the country.
Never satisfied, product diversification and development were always at the top of the list. By the end of the 2000s, TG was already supplying energy-rated windows and looking to develop energy-efficient products, so it was unsurprising that the potential for Solar Panel installations was on the horizon.
2010s Solar, Aluminium and Certass.
In April 2010, the government introduced the Feed In Tariff Scheme for solar installations, and Thermaglaze Solar was born!
Our customers consistently asked me if we knew anyone who could help with installation. We took the bold step of training installers, surveyors, and electricians to comply with the regulations and became registered installers under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. Today, hundreds of households benefit from a TG Solar Installation.
In 2012, Thermaglaze took over the Yeovil-based Firmseal Brand. Unfortunately, it was too late to save the business, but we endeavoured to assist Firmseal customers whenever possible and continue to do so. Today, the Firmseal brand remains in place for loyal customers and is fully serviced by our head office.
The window industry continued to develop, with new colours and finishes now offered as standard. The internet was now a driving force, and demand had grown for more colour options to suit more homes. TG was keen to assist but knew we could not compromise on quality.
