“Glass is a rather difficult product to handle, and it therefore needs a good load of attention; when manufacturing, ordering, cutting, transporting and installing…. Glass can easily hide certain imperfections in certain lighting conditions so it is crucial that there is a trained and trusted eye to check the product closely during all aspects of all projects…”
With this quote in mind from Carl Ciantar, Managing Director of Caprice Ltd, we couldn’t help but feel intrigued.
Design & Build interviews this veteran supplier to the industry to bring to light details on their modus operandi.
an interview with Carl Ciantar, Managing Director of Caprice Ltd
The glassworks company is run by Carl Ciantar now although it was set up by his father Raymond Ciantar in 1985. Raymond is still present within operations, keeping a watchful eye on quality and giving a word of advice when needed. It is very encouraging to see the father-and-son chemistry at work as his son Carl, who is now leading the company in this millennium, has a shoulder to rest on at all times, providing experience, know-how and drive at the same time.
In 2005, Carl decided it was time to delve further into the technical aspects of glass supply. He thus steered Caprice Ltd towards a more specialised line of glassworks, in addition to being an established general glass supplier. “This move,” said Carl proudly, “therefore made us today’s specialists in all types of glass for specific requirements, such as laminated and blindato glass, tempered and tempered laminated glass, sprayed glass, glass shower doors, glass opening flush doors, glass balustrades, glass staircases, glass partitioning, bullet proof glass, high-quality fittings. glass accessories – and anything else one could possibly require require involving glass.”
Glass is a rather difficult product to handle, and it therefore needs a good load of attention when moving it around. This is why we insist on handling logistics internally
Carl explained that one of the major advantages of using glass in today’s (somewhat) more compact abodes, offices and businesses, is its transparency, and therefore the rooms still seem to retain an aura of spaciousness. “An apt example of this is that a bathroom shower with glass partitioning doesn’t seem to be taking up room space and therefore does not visually present a smaller room following its inclusion into the room – but actually lends to the perception of there being more space,” he pointed out. “And the use of glass in home interiors will still give you the full view of the room!”
Carl continued that their glass product range is of the best quality available, and is exclusively from European origins. Among these well known firms represented locally by Caprice Ltd we find Fattorini, Inglesina, Baros Vision and others. The fittings supplied by Caprice Ltd are either brass with stainless steel finishes or chrome with a polished finish. This reflects on their quality service for clients’ peace of mind. “And let’s face it, they are the best there is!” he smilingly said.
In being competitive on the local market for all needs and wants, Caprice Ltd also represent and supply products from Hi-Tech; the Chinese company. “All the products that we supply must match the EU quality standards,” he added, emphasising too that “Hi-Tech have their own quality controls which surpass the typical European norm.”
“To be continuously competitive and also to be of immediate service and backup to our clients, we keep a good stock in our store locally as a fall-back in case of unplanned requirements or for clients looking for specific items. But even in such circumstances when a particular item may not be stocked, we are still able to service a client within one to two weeks through our overseas principals,” he explained.
Due to the nature of the product that they handle, Caprice Ltd also has its own specialised fleet of transport vehicles to ensure the safe delivery of its products to clients’ stores or sites. Additionally, as a safety precaution, they prefer to unload and transport their imported products to their own stores themselves rather than leave them in the hands of hired transport workers.
Glass can easily hide certain imperfections in certain lighting conditions so it is important that there is a trained eye available to check the product closely
“Glass is a rather difficult product to handle, and it therefore needs a good load of attention when moving it around. This is why we insist on handling logistics internally. Glass can easily hide certain imperfections in certain lighting conditions so it is important that there is a trained eye available to check the product closely. One doesn’t want to unpack a consignment and find that it is – or has become – imperfect. At that point there isn’t much one can do” added Carl.
SAFETY GLASS IN THE HOME OR OFFICE
Today there is a trend for the increased use of thick glass panelling in a building, such as on balustrades, fencing, partitioning, sliding wardrobe doors etc, so there is a need for a special kind of thick glass which can take quite a bit of work and tear – or abuse! Add to that security and protection services, and you get the overall picture of its uses, explained Carl. “At the same time, thick glass has a texture and special look to it that many people admire. It enhances a locale,” he added. Furthermore, it is today a stronger, safer and even more prestigious product which is also easier to maintain too.
He added that “there is always a market for this kind of glass even in the upcoming construction of apartments, in penthouses or private houses and villas.”
There are generally two different break-resistant solutions: laminated glass and tempered glass … one’s choice ought to be dependant upon the nature of its application
Caprice Ltd often finds itself advising the client about the best kinds of glass to use to obtain the look and performance they are after. For example, in today’s homes and businesses, where one can note an increased use of glass, it is important to install safety glass for many kinds of projects from patio furniture and shower doors to business storefronts. Safety glass can be defined as a type of glass that is manufactured through processes designed to make it less likely to break. When safety glass does break, it is designed to be less likely to cause harm to those who accidentally crash through it or have to clean up the mess.
There are generally two different break-resistant solutions: laminated glass and tempered glass. Both can be excellent options for home and business owners looking to increase the safety and security of their glass, and one’s choice ought to be dependant upon the nature of its application.
CONCLUSION
The extensive use of glass in homes and businesses in Malta today has seen Caprice Ltd investing further into their product and servicing to ensure maintaining their place in the local market place. At the same time, “our Italian principals too are leaders in this sphere and custom- make the glass to our requirements and standards, so the end product is quite unique indeed” added Carl. This has to be seen in the light of the fact that they import over 16 tonnes of glass every week, meaning that the relationship between them and their principals is solid. “And on special jobs they will work to our own designs – or those of the client – processed directly into their ACAD-run system,” he explained.
Although Caprice Ltd see themselves as suppliers and manufacturers of glass and fittings to the market, especially to turnkey contractors, nevertheless they will also get involved in installations through reliable installer teams when asked to do so. Even here, the people they work with “need to have the qualities for a responsible and careful work ethic”.
Their fully trained employees also have a good number of years of on-the-job experience behind them.. Their workers are given the management’s full respect and they reflect it back in the quality of their work. “And we all become like one family” added Carl. This leads to a passion for the product being handled as well as a commitment to prop[er work ethics in their labour for the client. “We still see ourselves as a family business.”
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