Richard Thompson has retired from Mackenzie Glass, ending an amazing 49-and-a-half years in the glass industry. 

Richard started working for Bristol-based glass processor, Cashmore & Co, straight from school in 1973.

“I didn’t actually look for a job,” Richard said. “I finished school on the Friday and started work at Cashmore’s on the Monday.

“My schooling was poor, having originally come from Jamaica, but I was put to work immediately on the cutting and polishing of glass, working my way up to bevelling and operating the new machines the company invested in.”

Learning the trade

Cashmore’s went through a few changes in ownership over the years, including Pilkington Glass. Cornwall Group company Mackenzie Glass acquired the site in 2017, becoming a Pilkington Regional Partner in the process. All the while, Richard stayed with the business learning the glass processing trade and helping build the merchanting business it is today.

Richard explained that since his education was limited, he found he could make his mark learning the new techniques that were introduced over the decades.

“I actually found I was rather good with the drilling,” he said. “It turned out that if you could drill holes accurately without breaking the glass, you are in great demand!”

Richard also explained how he learned certain techniques that have now been taken over by machinery.

“When bevelling mirrors, without machinery you had to do it blind,” Richard said. “You would have to rely on your own knowledge to produce the right bevel because it was face down, and you couldn’t see what you were doing underneath.

“But I’ve seen some great developments in the machinery we use. Specifically, there is less wear and tear on the cutting wheels today, giving a much more consistent finish on the products.”

The speed of processing has also improved significantly with the advent of machinery.

“If you take a dressing table, with one main mirror and two wing mirrors, that would have taken about a day to complete,” Richard said. “The same job today will take no more than 20 minutes.”

Safety first

Richard said that when he first started at Cashmore’s, he was put on glass cutting duties, which left his hands covered in cuts by the end of the first week.

“Back then, safety equipment was thin on the ground, and not many people wore gloves,” he said. “We were handling the glass as though it were a piece of wood. Obviously, all that has now changed, and we use all the latest PPE at Mackenzies.

“We cannot ignore safety. If we are not safe, it would cost a lot of money and cause a lot of problems. Safety has come on leaps and bounds, because it had to. It is strange to think we used to handle glass without wearing gloves.”

While safety forms an important part of an apprentice’s journey at Mackenzie Glass today, over his 49-and-a-half years, Richard has learned to respect glass as a material.

“Glass is a unique material – it is involved in everybody’s lives,” he said. “And it remains in the same form as it ages. Also, once it is glass, it can’t be destroyed – it can only be recycled into new glass products. It is timeless.”

And what about life after retirement?

“I’m looking forward to pottering around,” he said. “I’m also looking forward to exploring the area around Bristol – especially the places where my partner wants to go!”

Mackenzie Glass’s joint MD, Mark Herbert, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Richard at Mackenzie Glass, having the chance to tap into nearly 50 years of knowledge and experience has been invaluable. Richard is a charming chap with many stories and wise words to share.

“I wish Richard a long and happy retirement. He will certainly be missed by the team at Mackenzie’s – it is truly the end of an era.”