Dun Rite Glass has been meeting the needs of its customers for many years, but its fleet of services extends beyond automobile glass.
The business is located at the intersection of Fourth Street and 13th Avenue in downtown Estevan, providing a perfect location due to the amount of traffic in that area. Eric Shier started working there in 2002 and in 2008, he purchased the business.
It was shortly after he graduated high school that his old boss, Terry House, approached him about working at Dun Rite. Shier viewed it as an opportunity to get into something he hadn’t tried before. He hasn’t looked back, and he continues to enjoy the work.
When the opportunity presented itself to purchase the business in 2008, he jumped at it.
“There was a lot of trial and error for the first four or five years, and now it’s just to the point where it’s second nature,” he said.
In addition to auto glass repair and replacement, Dun Rite provides such services as vehicle detailing and cleaning for both the interior and exterior. The company is also moving into residential glass work such as household windows and entry doors.
“The market has opened up for that a little bit, so we’re going to start pushing a little bit more residential,” he said.
Shier has dabbled in residential glass in the past as well.
Dun Rite also looks after the glass for construction equipment such as loaders, track hoes and more. And they have smaller glass such as picture frames.
Five people are currently employed at Dun Rite, including Shier. Once the residential glass is up and running, he expects they will add a couple more employees.
The company has been busy the past couple of years. The hail storm in June 2018 that struck the Estevan area resulted in a significant increase in their business, although they were already busy before the hail claims started coming in.
Spring and summer are usually the busiest times. Spring road bans mean that customers are bringing in equipment to have the windshields fixed. Summer is the busiest time.
Activity slows down around Christmas, and it remains quieter in January and February.
Changes in vehicle technology have forced Shier and the staff at Dun Rite to adapt. The advent of rain-sensing windshield wipers and lane-sensing technology means they have other things to worry about when replacing auto glass. They have also witnessed advancements such fast-curing glues that have changed their work.
It makes the job more complex, and it has forced them to evolve.
Shier said he enjoys dealing with the customers who come through the door every day.
“We have a really good clientele,” he said. “Our customers have been great, and I just enjoy the work.”
There’s also the sense of satisfaction associated with meeting customers’ needs. They are usually very appreciative of the work provided by Shier and the staff.
“At the end of the day, you’re happy seeing that you’re doing a good job. The customers are coming back.”
