It’s onwards and upwards for Alumiglas, which has moved to bigger premises and plans to open a retail area to augment its commercial side.

The commercial glass and aluminium company is now located at 15 Cox’s Hill in Pembroke, just behind Auto Solutions on St John’s Road.

It has moved into renovated 3,700 sq ft premises, a sizeable jump from the mere 800 sq ft it previously had before relocating from Bakery Lane.

The company has grown during the past nine years from a staff of four to 15, and it is excited about the next step forward.

“We have room for bigger sheets of glass and more storage,” said George Tatem, founder and chief executive officer.

A retail area where customers can see items on display is coming soon.

“We did no retail sales at Bakery Lane as we had nowhere to show our products. Now people will be able to come in and see what we have on sale,” explained Mr Tatem.

Its new premises were renovated and internally designed by Mr Tatem to fit the needs of the business. He said the move was spurred by what he views as the island’s improving economic climate.

“That has allowed us to grow and pick up our client base. Hopefully it can be maintained for the next 10 or 20 years. It is a step of faith,” he added.

The company’s customers are mainly contractors, architects and designers. It offers a range of products and services, from custom frameless and framed shower enclosures, to PVC and aluminium windows and doors, window screens and french doors.

Glass canopies, curtainwalls, storefronts and glass railings are also undertaken by Alumiglas, which has a gallery of photographs of its previous projects on its website.

Mr Tatem has been involved in the field of glazing and glass installation for almost 40 years. He is proud of the work Alumiglas has been responsible for, including high-profile undertakings at Magnolia Towers, Bermuda Storage Warehouse and the Trott & Duncan offices.

The company was also the glazing supplier and installer for the new wing of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Eighteen months ago, Mr Tatem strengthened Alumiglas further by teaming up with Steven Barber, who has been involved in the sector, in Canada and Bermuda, since the mid-1970s.

Mr Barber built a solid reputation with his previous employer, and many customers have stayed loyal to him since he joined Alumiglas as managing director.

He and Mr Tatem were acquaintances for many years before deciding to join forces. The partnership has bolstered the business and is bringing success.

Mr Tatem said Alumiglas is now an equal to its longer-established competitors.

“We are keeping our service levels very high. The customer is number one. And we are making the staff proud of the job they do,” he said.

Mr Barber agreed. He said many clients appreciated the ideas and input the company is able to provide for projects and installations.

“We can suggest things and they trust us and it works well.”

Regarding the move to Cox’s Hill, he added: “It helps us to better organise. We have more staff and we have the capabilities now for retail and stocking more materials.”

While looking ahead, Mr Tatem said: “We have faith in the economy and want to go forward with that.”

Alumiglas has a website at http://www.alumiglas.com/ and can be contacted on 293-2758.