Case study: Making an impact on glass industry

Jun 20 2007 by Tony McDonough, Liverpool Daily Post

WHEN John McDonough and Tony Harford set up Impact Safety Glass in April, 2004, they were, in their own words, putting their necks on the line.

Both had more than 40 years’ experience in the glass business, and that background helped them secure funding through HSBC, Merseyside Special Investment Fund and Asset Finance.

Mr McDonough said: “What helped us was that we were also prepared to put some of our own money in and offer up security.”

That security came in the form of their family homes, and neither was under any illusion about how big a risk that was.

“Going to your wives and asking them whether they would be prepared to risk their homes is a massive thing to do,” said Mr Harford. “In this case, they were both fully behind us.”

The gamble has certainly paid off. Impact, which specialises in the manufacture and sale of toughened glass, has grown steadily from an initial turnover of £1.2m. Its latest figure was £2.7m. Projected turnover for the coming year is £3.5m.

Staff numbers at its Kirkby base have also grown from 16 at start-up to 50 now. The company has successfully branched out to offer tough aluminium frames, which has proved a winner.

“The fact that we already had so much experience I think really helped us,” said Mr Harford. “I had put together a business plan previously, so I had a good idea of what was involved this time around.”