May22239 Oct23262 Established in 1999, Island Glass & Mirror has come a long way since its humble beginnings with limited finances and resources. It is now a market leader in the provision of glass products and related professional services in Fiji, with its Head Quarters in Walu Bay, Suva, and a supporting branch in Lautoka. Here we learn more from the team at Island Glass & Mirror. We recognised very early on in the development of the business, the need for modernisation and increased capabilities in the Fijian market. Progressive improvements in our operations and a strengthening in our primary product offering culminated in the opening of a state-of-theart glass factory and offices in 2017. The Island Glass & Mirror facility in Walu Bay is indeed considered “Best in Class” for Fiji, with large overhead cranes, automatic glass cutting lines, and automated edge processing and milling and drilling capabilities. Having experienced first-hand the changing building standards and need for resilient structures in the South Pacific, we understood the importance of supplying compliant products that meet building standards. We have also partnered with industry leading product and service providers from both national and international organisations, to make a larger impact around the world. With Fiji being in a major cyclone region, one of our pivotal relationships formed during the life of the IGM business was with Glasshape Pty Ltd, the leading supplier of Cyclonic Impact-Resistant Glass Solutions in the Pacific Region. In recognition of Island Glass & Mirror’s commitment to provide compliant and certified product solutions in the Fiji markets as well as their strong manufacturing and processing capabilities, Glasshape Pty Ltd awarded Island Glass & Mirror sole distribution rights for its StormShield and Ezone Low E Cyclonic Glass Solutions within Fiji along with a number of their other specialist architectural glass products, such as TemperShield – bent, toughened, and laminated glass, and VisionInk – digitally printed ceramic ink glass. This partnership was established in 2010 and has been one of the cornerstones of Island Glass & Mirror’s success, ensuring the business could provide compliant window solutions to meet and exceed the Fijian building and construction markets. Working closely with architects, designers, and engineers in the market ensures that Island Glass & Mirror is able to understand inherent needs and aspirations for each building design project. As a result of this, we’ve been able to provide robust solutions to ensure buildings are not only constructed to achieve these specific design aspirations, but also meet the rigid standards required in a Cyclone declared region. In 2019 Island Glass & Mirror acquired another leading Fijian business in the architectural window and glass space, Construction Services SP Limited. As a commercial and domestic window manufacturer, sourcing tested and standards conforming aluminium products from the industry leaders such as Alspec and Capral, the acquisition has allowed the businesses to offer the market a total compliant window package. This has further strengthened the position of both businesses. We believe the success of our business comes from four key areas. Our key strategic business partnerships, supplier relationships, customers, and, most importantly, our people. Island Glass & Mirror places great emphasis on the development and retention of our staff. We are proud to have built a culture that is more akin to a close family unit, that values relationships and time every bit as much as achievement. We encourage our staff to acquire new skills in their personal development. They can learn and operate market leading manufacturing equipment as well as programs that support business growth and development to further enhance their own skill sets. While underpinned by an achievement and growth mindset, we also encourage laughter and fun as a mechanism of value. Island Glass & Mirror has developed very strong strategic business partnerships, which has provided additional exposure for the business and enabled it to capitalise on shared technologies, marketing growth, product and equipment capabilities, and training and development opportunities that would otherwise have not been available. Being exposed to best practise, industry leading technologies, and companies within the glass related fields has allowed Island Glass & Mirror to set the tone in Fiji for product and service outcomes. We have also made sure our team are very adept with industry codes and regulations, standards compliance, and the provision of supporting documentation to meet and exceed market demand. Our relationships with the professional services market, which includes architects, engineers and designers has ensured that they in turn can provide information with confidence, being able to make recommendations and provide product guidance to assist in design excellence and ultimately, the supply of glass products and windows that are fit for purpose. Information Island Glass & Mirror provides is not limited to code compliance but also the broader issues of energy and aesthetics. Island Glass & Mirror places a great value on its customers and appreciates their support which has allowed us to grow and develop collectively. We take great pride in helping our customers to be successful and knowledgeable, helping them to understand new products, meeting energy & design requirements and glazing regulations. We work very hard at ensuring our customers are treated equitably and fairly. The provision of customer service excellence is a mantra for the group, no matter how big or small the customer is. We believe our business is well positioned for the future, while never underestimating the challenges ahead. We have identified numerous opportunities for Island Glass & Mirror, as Fiji recovers from the COVID period. There is no doubt one of the challenges that Island Glass & Mirror faces is to ensure future buildings are designed well, and built to survive the everchanging climate by providing compliant products, particularly in the cyclonic impact-resistant glass and window space. Our intent is that Island Glass & Mirror will continue to be at the forefront of this space, providing market leading products and services. Contact: Asish Singh Company: Island Glass & Mirror Ltd Web Address: www.islandglass.com.fj Best Architectural Glass Retail Business 2023 - South Pacific
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