Not every great business story starts with a grand plan. Some begin with redundancy and a leap of faith. That was the case for Henry McCambridge, who turned a career setback into the launchpad for Glass by Design, now a leading name in high-spec architectural glazing.
When Henry arrived in New Zealand from Northern Ireland in 1989, he could hardly have imagined the journey that lay ahead.
A trained joiner, he began working as a carpenter in the local building industry, gradually honing his skills before joining Euroglass, a leading bespoke glass company at the time. But it wasn’t until 2013, after being made redundant, that Henry decided to take a bold step and launch his own business, Glass by Design.
Starting small, from a home office with just two installers, a van, and all glass delivered straight to job sites, Henry leaned heavily on the professional contacts he’d maintained for over two decades.
“At first, I wasn’t sure these companies, working on multi-million-dollar builds, would support a start-up. But because of the relationships I’d built and the way I worked, they backed me from day one,” Henry says.
Now Glass by Design has a team of eight, many of them skilled in high-spec architectural glazing and bespoke glass solutions on high-end residential and commercial projects.
Glass by Design is very much a family affair too. Henry’s wife, Ramona, joined the business in the early days, initially supporting accounts part-time while working at Air New Zealand. By 2016, she had stepped fully into the business, now overseeing marketing and finance.
The two love working together as they can discuss business ideas whenever and wherever they are.
But Henry says they have one rule, to maintain a healthy work-life balance. “We keep work chat at home to an hour maximum. Then it’s time to switch off.”
Site-specific and bespoke vision
Glass by Design market their bespoke glass solutions B2B and work closely in collaboration with architects and builders. Henry often has to translate architects’ vision into buildable, code-compliant designs.
“Others work off generic templates, but we go site-specific. It takes more time, but it delivers a better result.”
One standout project, completed with Lindsay Construction and Julian Guthrie Architects, involved designing three fully frameless “glass links” connecting four blocks of a coastal property in Tara Iti.
“These transparent hallways, complete with glass roofs, allow natural light to flood the interiors while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic. The master ensuite featured switchable glass, allowing the occupants to toggle between privacy and an uninterrupted view of the sea at the push of a button.”
One of Glass by Design’s recent projects is another gem with a high-end build in Paratai Drive, Auckland. It includes oversized Italian-imported glass panels, some weighing 750kg and standing 5.8 metres high.
“When people say, ‘How did you do that?’ That’s when you know you’ve nailed it,” Henry says.
He says that when such expensive and fragile materials are at stake, the main strategy for the team is to be methodical.
“Every panel went in perfectly. That’s down to careful planning and a team that doesn’t rush.”
Great pace and thorough planning also go hand-in-hand with great communication in the way that Henry runs his business. In an industry known for tight deadlines and complex logistics, he says immaculate client communication is non-negotiable.
“If a client has to chase me for an update, I haven’t done my job,” he says.
Whether it’s a delay due to damaged product or a design tweak, the team communicates early and often to eliminate any further delays and additional costs for the project.
“Even bad news is easier to manage when you’re upfront.”
Bringing European glass quality to NZ
Innovation has been central to the company’s evolution. When clients started requesting bespoke European-style internal doors embedded with materials like copper mesh and sheer fabric, Henry says that Glass by Design found a way to replicate them locally.
“We figured out how to fabricate similar designs right here in New Zealand,” says Henry. This opened up a whole new line of work and became a pivotal decision for further growth in the business.
This innovation also led to an international partnership with Italian manufacturer Henry Glass.
After initial conversations and a visit to Italy in mid-2023, Glass by Design became a New Zealand distributor for their premium products.
“What stood out was how aligned our values were. Their attention to detail, their craftsmanship, it mirrors ours.”
The CEO and head of product of Henry Glass will be coming to New Zealand in June to look at a local glass production and discuss the business deal in greater detail.
The company plans to invest in a high-end showroom in Auckland to showcase these Italian designs and their local interpretations, with further collaboration on the cards.
Best in business
Henry says that his philosophy in business is straightforward: Surround yourself with good people and be honest with them. Many of his current team members followed him from his previous company, as they trust his vision.
That trust, he says, extends to client relationships.
“Builders and architects often refer to Glass by Design as an integral part of their team. We don’t just install glass. We look at the whole project, spot issues before they arise, and suggest smarter solutions.”
For those considering starting their own business, Henry offers practical wisdom.
“Start small, build strong relationships, and don’t overpromise. Surround yourself with people who genuinely care about doing a good job.”
He also emphasises staying informed. “Keep up with market trends. Read [industry] magazines, follow new players in the industry. You need to stay relevant.”
While Glass by Design have several large projects underway and new international collaborations, Henry wants to make one thing clear: “We can work to any budget. If someone wants something special, we’ll find a way to make it happen, without the European price tag.”
