Arun Photay Reflects on Two Years at Glass Express Midlands

Arun Photay, Glass Express Midlands’ Managing Director, shares his reflections after two years at the helm of the Birmingham-based IGU manufacturer.

When I look back on my first two years in the glass industry, the overwhelming feeling is one of gratitude. I have been welcomed into what I can only describe as a fantastic community – one built on trust, collaboration, and a real passion for what we do.

My route into glass was, truthfully, something of an accident. A good friend who owned Glass Express was preparing to retire just as I was looking to return to the West Midlands. Over a curry, the idea of stepping into the role was floated, and before long I found myself asking: how complicated can glass be?

The answer, I quickly learned, is very. This is an industry that combines technical complexity with creativity and innovation. It is not “just a pane of glass” – it’s research, investment, and precision at every stage. Discovering that depth has been both humbling and exciting.

One of the great privileges of my role has been the people I have met. This is an industry where relationships still matter deeply. Competitors will answer the phone to share insights, suppliers are genuine partners, and colleagues bring decades of expertise that they are willing to pass on.

In an age when trust in business is too often in short supply, I have found the glass community to be refreshingly open.

That said, we cannot stand still. The biggest challenge we face is succession – bringing in fresh talent to sustain and evolve our industry. While there are promising signs, more must be done to show young people the opportunities and rewards of working in glass. This is not only about addressing skills shortages, but about ensuring that knowledge, standards, and innovation continue to advance.

At Glass Express Midlands, we have invested in new machinery, vehicles, and staff to meet growing demand. But investment must be matched with responsibility.

We all share a duty to raise standards, whether in product performance, sustainability, or safety. Collaboration across the supply chain is key: manufacturers, contractors, and trade bodies working together to share best practice, support one another, and engage with government on the frameworks we need to succeed.

The next two years will be about building on this foundation – driving quality, strengthening relationships, and ensuring that the glass industry continues to be recognised not only for what it produces, but for the values of trust and partnership that underpin it.

I am grateful to have been welcomed into this community, and I am determined to play my part in ensuring that together, we leave it stronger than we found it.

For more information, please visit glassexpressmidlands.uk