Salisbury Glass was founded in 1952 when Doug Gower decided it was time to strike out on his own. He started working out of a hastily built wooden shed but quickly gained a reputation for delivering high-quality service and an unwavering commitment to keeping promises.
Success soon followed, and as the demand grew, Doug’s eldest son, Paul, joined him in 1965 as an apprentice glazier. By 1968, Salisbury Glass had outgrown its original premises on Gigant Street and relocated, just across from Gibbs & Mew Brewery.
In 1969, Doug’s second son, Steve, joined the company, followed by siblings Mark and Jillian Gower in 1977 and 1981, respectively. During the early 1970s, Paul Gower pioneered the manufacturing of aluminum windows in a small workshop near Gigant Street, marking the beginning of the replacement window division. This expansion allowed the business to thrive, and the company acquired the redundant Methodist Chapel adjacent to the main workshop for manufacturing PVCU windows and sealed double-glazed units.
The company continued to excel in the domestic market, establishing strong ties with local builders. However, the demand for commercial products grew significantly. Steve Gower led this side of the business with strong support from Christopher Grigg, forging numerous relationships with local authorities and land registry offices.
With space becoming limited once more, the company purchased land previously occupied by a disused abattoir. A new, technologically advanced factory was constructed to enhance fabrication output.
In 2006, Paul and Steve Gower decided to retire, and Mark Gower spearheaded a management buyout. This move brought Ian Paton (Jillian’s husband), Chris Grigg, and David Naish into the team. Steady growth has characterized both sides of the company, driven by a commitment to quality, integrity, and the ability to design and innovate to overcome market challenges.
This success owes much to our dedicated and skilled staff, many of whom have been with us for over 30 years. The company celebrated its 70th year of uninterrupted trading in 2022. In 2023, a new management buyout saw Paul Thomlinson become the Managing Director of the Commercial Division, Luke (Mark’s son) as Sales & Operations Director of the Domestic Division, and David Naish as Group CFO. Our focus remains firmly on upholding our long-established values.
