The search for specialist glass knows no borders
As the supply of glass gradually returns to normal, joint MD of Mackenzie Glass, Mark Herbert, explains that sourcing specialist glass remains difficult.
A defining feature of the post-Covid construction industry was how increased demand was sometimes not fulfilled by a supply chain that struggled to return to normal after the pandemic restrictions were lifted.
Drawing on their strong relations with key partners, Bristol-based specialist supplier, Mackenzie Glass, filled the gaps left by restricted supply elsewhere. Significantly, that strength is now being deployed to source specialist products, as the supply of bread and butter products are getting back to levels last seen almost two years ago.
“Looking back on what has been a difficult 18-month period for everyone, we can declare that we had significant success in the continued supply of glass, even as the main glass manufacturers were putting customers on allocation,” joint managing director of Mackenzie Glass, Mark Herbert, says. “Our business model is based on one fundamental principle: to ensure our customers receive the glass they need, in the quantities they require, and in a timeframe that suits them.
“Thanks to our relationships with our key suppliers, and our expansive stock-holding, we were able to keep that strong commitment.
“Very gradually, we are starting to see the return to pre-pandemic supply levels. We are still seeing shortages of certain types of glass, and that requires Mackenzie Glass to be even more proactive than ever to ensure our customers can meet their obligations and complete projects on time.”
European glass supply is particularly vulnerable to the effects of war in Ukraine. With the cost of energy on the continent continuing to rise, coupled with an uncertain supply of gas, some manufacturers have decided to reduce production of float glass. This shortage on the continent has meant that some UK-produced glass has been diverted to make up that shortfall.
“As a result, UK glass manufacturers are concentrating on producing the most widely used formats – 4mm and 6mm,” Mark says. “Most offline produced specialist glass can be produced using these thicknesses, and it makes sense for the manufacturers to concentrate their efforts on making them.
“But it does make the sourcing of some specialist glass more difficult – especially those that require other thicknesses, such as 4.4mm laminate and 10mm blue float which are no longer produced in the UK.
“We have introduced a growing range of restoration glasses, along with an increasing choice of tinted mirrors including our recent addition of purple, to complement gold, blue, green, pink etc. In the last few weeks we have expanded our satin ranges in both low iron options and varying thicknesses. On the ocean right now are thicker float products, which remain in short supply and relatively high demand for use on high margin projects, and we are seeing demand increase as people move away from volume projects towards ones with specialist requirements.”
Mackenzie Glass has a long established, robust and trusting trading relationship with the UK glass manufacturers, but if their customers require specialist products that they don’t make, then they need to go further afield, according to Mark.
“And because we have a reputation for sourcing unique products, our customers know that they can be confident when pitching for new work because they can rely on us as a supply partner,” he says.
“In recent days we have travelled overseas to meet with several existing and potential new partners, both European, Asian and Middle East, to continue offering a wide range of exciting new products from around the globe.
“Which suits us down to the ground, because if our customers are successful, then that makes us successful too.”
Mark explains that during the period of peak demand and limited supply when the pandemic restrictions were slowly lifted in 2020, Mackenzie Glass’s customers were largely oblivious to the problems in the supply chain.
“Apart from maybe splitting the occasional order into two deliveries, our customers got the glass they ordered,” Mark says. “And it is the same with specialist glass. For many, we are the supermarket for glass, and we can’t have our shelves empty. So, while supply in Europe may be limited, it is up to us to go further afield to find what people need.”