Brainboard is a bold, bright idea
PROFESSIONAL glazier Allan Pugsley has almost 40 years of experience behind him, but what he’s most proud of is his new product.
Designed by his Lower Hutt company Aspect Glass, ‘‘Brainboard’’ is a type of toughened glass that is used in homes and offices to keep messages and notes on.
‘‘Brainboard was my idea as a fresh way for corporates, commercial premises and homes to have something different to brain storm on, or to keep notes and messages on,’’ says Pugsley.
‘‘Either at the office or at home, it is a spectacular way to add colour and a different standard for innovative people.
‘‘It’s perfect for residential or commercial purposes, it’s stylish, it’s modern and attractive and you can have it in any colour or size, and it’s made to measure.’’
Pugsley is increasingly being asked to install Brainboard around the region Aspect Glass covers, which includes Wairarapa, Hutt Valley, Wellington and Kapiti.
‘‘We’ve recently installed Brainboard at Pinnacle Corporate in Lower Hutt, it’s stunning, the colour is bold and it looks great,’’ says Pugsley.
Brainboard is just one product and among many services Aspect Glass provides.
The firm is also a window maintenance specialist, then there’s leadlight repairs, retro double glazing, installing frameless showers, glass balustrades, splashbacks and mirrors, the list goes on.
What matters most to Pugsley is the high quality of craftmanship on all of his work.
‘‘I personally do the work and get great satisfaction out of a perfect fit of the product and for the customer. I’ve had 39 years in this industry, I’m trade qualified and my own personal standard is very high,’’ he says.
‘‘The most rewarding part for me is pride at my craftmanship and clients being very happy with the result.’’
While Pugsley generally undertakes most of the work himself, on bigger jobs he’ll contract another professional glazier when required.
He set up Aspect Glass 32 years ago after completing an apprenticeship with Smith and Smith Glass and then working there fulltime for three years.
Over the past three decades Pugsley’s workmanship and business nous has brought him plenty of success.
Along the way he’s faced more challenges than most – he is partially deaf.
‘‘I was born prematurely and as a result of medication to save my life I became hard of hearing,’’ says Pugsley.
‘‘Despite this, I have risen to the challenge of moving within the hearing world and business and have learnt a trade that I am good at and work to the highest of standard.’’
While he employs a call centre to help with jobs, and email and or text clients, being able to lip read means he still meets his clients and enjoys that face-to-face contact.
‘‘I do not find that my hearing impairment hinders me in business at all, and it is good that people are so understanding.’’