Glass company offers clear choice

WESLACO - For Tony Villa, the decision to open his own business was as clear as the mateiral his employees install and repair.
As owner of Weslaco Glass Company, Villa is dedicated to both his craft and the satisfaction of his customers.
Villa remembers his beginnings in the glass business and his reasons for striking out on his own fondly.   

 
"I started working for Pilkington when I was 24-years-old," he said. "I spent 10 years selling glass products to all kinds of customers between Corpus and Laredo, but I got tired of being out on the road all the time. I wanted to spend more time at home with my family."

Villa said what he saw during his time as a representative was enough to show him how to run a lucrative business.

"I've seen all different types of work ethic," he said "I've seen work being done the short-cut way and I've seen it being done the right way."

Now in his second year as a small business owner, Villa said his goal is to provide quality service for his customers. 

    
"We are a full service shop," he said. "We do windshield repair, automotive glass replacement, and residential glass, windows and shower doors."

Villa said he used his strengths in the glass business to provide a basic service to local customers before branching out.

"My main strength was automotive glass," he said. "As far as commercial and residential, I knew the basics. When I started getting into custom work is when I started doing my research. I used to go to the expos and rub shoulders with the other reps. I learned about new products and new ways of doing things."

Now Villa and his men are well versed in the nuances of glass installation and are certified by Essex to use the company's automotive glass products.

"For automotive glass you have to be certified with the adhesives you use," he said. "A lot of glass companies have installers who are taught in-house and not certified. You can't just apply glue and install something. The glass has to be prepared properly, you can't mix product and you have to apply it properly."

Through all of his experiences Villa still enjoys working with automotive glass more than other types. Villa said he places strong emphasis on the safety of his customers when working on automotive projects.

 
"The airbags use the windshield to help absorb impact," Villa said. "If the adhesive system fails and the windshield pops out, the airbags will be useless. A lot of people don't realize that the safety of the car is compromised. In a rollover, the windshield and windows also serve as part of the structural integrity of the car."