Art of Glass

Anyone who lives between the Gold Coast and Ballina with even a passing involvement in the building trade will be familiar with Tweed Coast Glass. This is, after all, one of the Northern Rivers’ key providers of glass and aluminium services and products, for both residential and commercial properties. 

And that strong and ongoing popularity can be put down to the company’s all-encompassing ‘holistic’ approach to the building process – one that goes far beyond just a peerless knowledge of glazing, and extends into all aspects of custom housing.

“What makes us different is that we have in-house expertise that can deal one-on-one with the architect, the builder and the homeowner,” says general manager Scott McGuren. “So we can get involved with design – we can suggest different aspects of design with architects and incorporate custom glazing suites into their projects. We are able to focus on their architectural build, adapt to ever changing design intents and give experienced advice on the best way to build a home.”

Tweed Coast Glass has had a tumultuous recent few years – even aside from dealing with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2016, the company’s founder, Steve Spence, passed away – an event Scott describes as “the biggest shake-up this business has ever had”. Steve started the company in 1993 with a just a ute – his office was his kitchen table. Now, Tweed Coast Glass employs 51 people in a 2500-square-metre facility in downtown Chinderah. 

“It took us a few years to get through that, but now we’ve come out the other side and are getting on with things,” says Scott, who bought into the business and now owns it with his sister Alesha Spence, who is Steve’s widow.

Tweed Coast Glass was, of course, drastically disrupted by the pandemic. A particular problem was the inability to receive products from suppliers over the border in Queensland during lockdowns. More recently, the company had to deal with many staff members testing positive for COVID or being close contacts. As of late February, Scott says, there has not been a single day in 2022 when the full quota of staff has been on deck. The business had the added upheaval of moving premises during COVID. 

However, there are plenty of silver linings. The nationwide boom in DIY projects over the past two years has served the company well – products for local ‘weekend warriors’ are among the company’s most popular at the moment. 

“There are so many DIY projects happening,” says Scott, “and our showers and screens department is very busy. The market is very strong.”

The last two years have also seen a special ‘click and collect’ online service go from strength to strength, with deliveries to the far corners of NSW and Queensland. 

These things (along with government support) have ensured Tweed Coast Glass is coming out the other side of COVID in good shape. Late 2021, Scott says, was “booming”, adding that, “now there is a sense of calm over the business”. The company has even managed to keep up its sponsorship of several local sport teams, as well as support for the nearby Wedgetail Retreat Community Hospice. 

Tweed Coast Glass also boasts a new 270-square-metre showroom, through which it hopes to engage with other local businesses that may wish to display products there. 

Another new initiative from Scott and his team is a special arm of the business, Fabstruct, which offers aluminium structures such as balustrades, pool fencing and screens. 

So the future looks very promising for this Northern Rivers institution of building and design. And after 27 years of trade, there is still a buzz about the place – one born of resilience through hard times, and the promise of success to come. 

“It’s a good thing we have a fairly young group of people that have seen the business go from a small factory to the size we are now, and through COVID. 

“And we pride ourselves on our products and service – continuing to work with builders and architects – and our culture. And that culture was built by Steve.” 

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