Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence

Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence: The Journey of Express Glass

This year, Express Glass celebrates 40 years of dedication, innovation, and service in the glazing industry. What began in a family garage in the southern Sydney suburb of Oatley in 1984 has grown into one of Australia’s most respected glass replacement and repair companies. The journey from humble beginnings to national prominence is a story of hard work, strategic growth, and a relentless commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

Founding Vision and Early Challenges

Express Glass was founded by Keith and Helen Grocott, who began with a clear vision: to build a business that would prioritize fast, high-quality service while forming strong, lasting relationships with clients.

Keith and Helen hit on the name “Express Glass” believing that a speedy response was one of the crucial keys to success in the glazing industry. They began operating in March 1984 in the family’s garage, with Keith doing the glazing out of an old Holden station wagon and Helen taking the calls and looking after the administrative side of the business. By the end of the first year, Express Glass had acquired a small factory and office at 1 Macquarie Street Annandale, on the corner of Parramatta Road.

Strategic Growth and Key Milestones

Express Glass’s growth over the years was guided by a series of strategic decisions. In 1987, the company formed a partnership with Paynter Dixon, a leading Sydney construction company. This collaboration allowed Express Glass to acquire and integrate five smaller glazing businesses across Sydney, expanding its reach and establishing a footprint in key regions across the city. By 1988, the company’s head office had moved to a larger facility in Beverly Hills, and the team had grown to include 38 glaziers and 10 office staff.

The expansion didn’t stop there. In the early 1990s, even as Australia faced economic challenges and high-interest rates, Express Glass continued to grow. The company extended its services nationally by developing a groundbreaking contractor service model to meet client needs in regional areas. This revolutionary approach allowed Express Glass to maintain quality service without needing a branch in every town, setting a new standard for flexibility and scalability in the glazing industry.

By the mid-1990s, the company’s reach extended beyond Sydney, and it officially rebranded with a logo that reflected a national identity, a symbolic nod to the growing impact Express Glass was having across Australia.

This commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction cemented Express Glass as a leader in the field, trusted by some of the largest organisations in the country.

A Team Built on Loyalty and Expertise

The success of Express Glass is attributed to its dedicated team, many whom have been with the company for decades. We are proud of our exceptional retention rates, with at least 10 employees boasting over 20 years of service. Our longest-serving team members, Glazing Supervisor Steve Martin and Industry Legend John Coleman have both been with Express Glass for an incredible 37 years, while Brian Hurford and Maria Pano, have dedicated over three decades to the company. Jeff Quinell, our Sydney Factory manager will soon join the 30-year Club. General Manager, Reece Van Vliet, who served his apprenticeship at Express Glass, started over 25 years ago. While Paul Farrugia, Andrew (Nobby) Clark, Mark Jennings and Aleks Jevdic all have over 20+ years of service.

This continuity not only fosters a strong, family-like culture but also means our team brings unmatched expertise and reliability to every project.

These long-standing employees have seen Express Glass evolve through different eras, adapting to industry changes, and helping train new generations of glaziers. Their dedication has created a foundation of trust with clients who know they can rely on a familiar team of skilled professionals committed to high standards and outstanding service.

From Sweeping Floors to Managing Director: Adrian Grocott’s Journey

Integral to the modern-day success of Express Glass is Adrian Grocott, the son of founders Keith and Helen. Adrian’s journey with the company began from the ground up—quite literally. Starting as a young man sweeping the factory floors and assisting wherever he could, Adrian developed a firsthand understanding of the company’s operations, from the smallest tasks to the larger strategic decisions. His early experiences instilled a strong work ethic and a deep respect for the business his parents had built.

In 2005, Adrian took over as Managing Director and has since led Express Glass into a new era, embracing technology and evolving the company’s services to meet the demands of an ever-changing market. His leadership has been instrumental in transitioning Express Glass into a technologically advanced company while maintaining the values and customer-first approach that have always been the company’s hallmark. Under his direction, Express Glass continues to expand its service footprint, refining its processes and investing in innovations that ensure the company remains an industry leader.

Adapting to Modern Demands and Looking Forward

As we look to the future, Express Glass remains committed to maintaining the legacy of innovation and quality that has defined us over the past four decades. Today, under Adrian’s leadership, we are more focused than ever on meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving industry. From energy-efficient glass solutions to smart technologies, we are continuously upgrading our offerings to meet modern standards and environmental considerations.

Yet, even as Express Glass embrace the future, they remain true to the core values established by Keith and Helen back in 1984. The commitment to fast, reliable service and customer satisfaction is as strong as ever. These values are reflected not only in their service but also in the partnerships they have cultivated over the years with property managers, major retailers, government departments, insurance companies across Australia.

Celebrating 40 Years of Trust and Service

Express Glass reflects proudly on its journey from the small garage in Oatley to a recognised national presence. Their journey has been one of resilience, growth, and unwavering dedication to doing things right. Express Glass take immense pride in having served countless clients, from households to high rise, and are honoured to have made a positive impact on the communities we serve.

Over 40 years Express Glass has indeed “seen it all”—from the technical requirements of replacing high-rise windows, glass awnings, shopfronts and heritage restorations, scaling up to respond to major weather events, right through to the everyday fixes needed for household windows and doors. We’ve never met a window we couldn’t fix.

Express Glass are ready to tackle whatever challenges the future holds, grounded in the knowledge that quality service and a customer-first approach are the keys to long-lasting success. Here’s to another 40 years of excellence and innovation.

For reliable, fast, and quality glazing services, trust Express Glass to get the job done.

8th November 2024