o Each week, The Columbian offers a brief snapshot of an interesting Clark County business. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.
Business name: D&L Glass Company Inc.
Owner and president: Margaret Adams.
Address: 7812 N.E. 19th Court, Vancouver.
What the business does: The company specializes in commercial storefront glass installation and repair and also sells and installs residential shower doors.
Steps to build business as the economy recovers: Margaret Adams has reduced cost structure and fixed overhead to restore profitability, returning to margin levels enjoyed during the residential building boom five to 10 years ago. The company is looking to add more technology and productivity tools, including providing tablets to field staff for drawings and communications. D&L is also working to increase social media efforts for customer dialogue and engagement. Adams has added regular training meetings with her glaziers and hired a key project manager who has provided leadership, customer relations and management capabilities for job site coordination. D&L has set up a referral program for walk-in customers.
Greatest challenge: Cash flow management and discipline, especially given the seasonality in our commercial side, are her greatest challenges, Adams said. Recruiting the right workforce for the business is another challenge.
