riding the wave of success
Adam Wessel may have worked in surfboard factories since the age of 16, but it was a stint in the luxury yachting industry that sowed the seeds of game-changing surfboard manufacturing technology.
“I was painting and fairing yachts. I tried to pull a lot of that ethos and then implement it into the surfboard industry,” the owner of The Glass Lab in Tweed Heads says.
The 40-year-old saw a niche in safe, sustainable, high-end surfboard manufacturing that could compete with overseas production.
The Northern Rivers business takes the shaped core of the board and applies the fibreglass, resin and fins that give surfboards their structural stability and functionality.
But the process is not without dangers. Polluting volatile organic compounds and dust are released into the atmosphere, harming both people and the environment. Using equipment adapted from mining, Wessel created a system that captures 96 per cent of those fumes and 99.9 per cent of dust.
The technology, which he says is a first in the industry, has given The Glass Lab products a stamp of sustainability – and protection.
“We’re really vigilant,” says Wessel, speaking about the safety of his 20 staff.
Today the business is one of the largest surfboard manufacturers in Australia. 200 boards – including world-renowned Channel Islands designs – leave its premises each week.
At the heart of the company is the Tweed Coast. Wessel is in the enviable position of treating surfing as his research and development time.
“We not only get to enjoy what we do but we get to enjoy the product that we create,” he says. “Being close to the beach where we are is super important for us.”
It is also important for the pro riders who compete in the World Surfing Championship at nearby Snapper Rocks – many collect boards from The Glass Lab in person and can be on the waves in minutes.
Moving ahead, Wessel is constantly exploring new methods to make boards lighter and stronger and is working on expanding operations without sacrificing quality.
One non-negotiable, he says, is his location.
“I believe in the Tweed. I love our community, I love our local economy, I want to see it grow. It’s who I am”
Share this story
Read more stories
spirit of the rainforest
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/cape-byron-distellery-002.jpg 960 540 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/cape-byron-distellery-002.jpgCape Byron Distillery
Let’s forget the beaches for a moment, as the true lifeblood of the Northern Rivers landscape is surely its rainforests, some of the most botanically…
world class creatives
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/meme-productions-featured-image.jpg 1000 750 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/meme-productions-featured-image.jpgMememe Productions
The piece of advice that dirtgirlworld creator, Cate McQuillen, likes to share with other creative entrepreneurs in the region tells much about her story…
Clean green superfood team
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Foods-That-Love-You-Back_Erle.jpg 768 1024 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Foods-That-Love-You-Back_Erle.jpgFoods That Love You Back
Health activist Erle Astrup founded Foods That Love You Back in January 2021, and her business – which has created the world’s first affordable, alkaline shot of concentrated microgreens – is infused with the passion she has for driving it.
flying high, with a helicopter view
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/air-tg-ballina-helicpoters-002.jpg 800 531 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/air-tg-ballina-helicpoters-002.jpgAir T&G
Northern Rivers is well known for its breathtaking natural beauty, and imagine if your day at the office involved enjoying these views from the air…
ahead of time on equality and agility
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/hurfoods_hardwood_002.jpg 1000 667 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/hurfoods_hardwood_002.jpgHurford Hardwood
When Olive Hurford told the bank manager she’d be looking after the accounts of her husband’s new building company, the story goes…
collectively creative social heaven
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/30715202_1014120148743120_6987131970559934464_o.jpg 1080 823 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/30715202_1014120148743120_6987131970559934464_o.jpgIsland Collective
If you are looking for contemporary artist and stylist Fleur Yorston, you’ll most likely find her among fiddle leaf figs and cane furniture, in her Yamba…
true blue locals making a difference
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/mountain-blue-001-copy-2.jpg 1920 1280 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/mountain-blue-001-copy-2.jpgMountain Blue
Mountain Blue is the definition of a twenty-first century business. Not only have owners Ridley and Mieke Bell expanded their blueberry production…
making history, creating culture
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/SPAR-Staff.jpg 1535 1025 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/SPAR-Staff.jpgSpar Maclean
SPAR Maclean’s claim to fame is a doozy. Indeed, it’s something only one supermarket in the whole of Australia can say: that it is the longest…
cooperative success, sweet for 150 years
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/sunshine-sugar-richmond-valley-nsw-002.jpg 1000 627 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/sunshine-sugar-richmond-valley-nsw-002.jpgSunshine Sugar
The Northern Rivers is home to generations of cane farming families who have not only built the sugar industry, but also saved the local…
Community connection runs deep
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Untitled-1.jpg 1644 848 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Untitled-1.jpgConnect Business Solutions
Connect Business Solutions can be thought of as the glue that holds a business community together.
Talking together for 50 years
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Jumbunna.jpg 1440 1080 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Jumbunna.jpgJumbunna Community Preschool and Early Intervention Centre
The early childhood sector has played a vital role in supporting communities and families in the Northern Rivers amid the onslaught of challenges in the last three years.
Passion, patience and protein
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Hemp-Foods_product.jpg 2400 1350 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Hemp-Foods_product.jpgHemp Foods Australia
When Hemp Foods Australia founder, Paul Benhaim, discovered hemp as a food choice in the early 90s during his global travels, he had his own preconceived ideas.
Position, people, poached eggs and a president
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Caperberry_James-Allan-scaled.jpg 2560 1920 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Caperberry_James-Allan-scaled.jpgCaperberry and Flinders Rose
What makes an entire family move from three different cities to live together in a quiet coastal town? Great coffee.
organic, sustainable and a local legend
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/mara_seeds_northern_rivers_business_feature_image_001.jpg 800 800 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/mara_seeds_northern_rivers_business_feature_image_001.jpgMara Seeds
The farmer and owner of Mara Seeds knows what can happen when you don’t – his 8000-acre station 50km to the west of Casino has seen worse…
an epic adventure into healing honey
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Gather-By_Product-shot.jpg 1191 893 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Gather-By_Product-shot.jpgGather By
Gather By is a closed-loop regenerative agribusiness that works with beekeepers and landholders in NSW and Queensland, and investors around Australia to produce and market rare, pure and potent Australian Manuka honey…
A hive of success and support
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Wild-Honey.jpg 940 627 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Wild-Honey.jpgWild Honey Creative
Wild Honey Creative is living proof that special skills and services we might once have associated with our cities – such as graphic and digital design, innovation in marketing and brand storytelling – are thriving in regional areas.
the power of the win-win-win sustainability approach
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/ENV-Solutions_James-scaled.jpg 2560 1707 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/ENV-Solutions_James-scaled.jpgENV Solutions
In less than seven years environmental consultancy ENV Solutions has grown from a one-man band in Ballina to a multi-award winning business with more than 25 staff across three locations…
Farmers in the fields
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/E0A8334.jpg 2048 1366 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/E0A8334.jpgNorco Primex
Bruce Wright has made his career by bringing together and supporting many of the region’s farmers and primary producers.
Alternative. Accessible. Affordable.
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Nimbin-Apothecary_Sammy-Feature-scaled.jpg 2560 2553 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Nimbin-Apothecary_Sammy-Feature-scaled.jpgNimbin Apothecary
Nimbin Apothecary is a herbal medicine dispensary providing acute over-the-counter consulting for herbal medicine prescriptions.
biggy pop sings support for matilda
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Byron-Bay-Wildlife-Hospital-2-scaled.jpg 2048 2560 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Byron-Bay-Wildlife-Hospital-2-scaled.jpgByron Bay Wildlife Hospital
In 2020, Iggy Pop received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys; in the same year his pet cockatoo, named Biggy Pop, became the founding patron of Byron Wildlife Hospital…