Company Profile – D & J Glassware

Editor, Cheryl Taylor, talks to David Roznowski of D & J Glassware

Published: 24 February, 2011

Tell us about your company history – what’s the story behind the brand?

I have many years’ sales experience, including a senior role with a major company in the gardening market. Whilst travelling throughout Europe, I saw some exceptional glassware that was not available on the English high street and so D & J Glassware was born, in 2002.

Do you have a brand philosophy?

The company’s ethos is simple: to offer great quality and unusual products at an affordable price,

backed up by friendly and efficient customer service.

We made a decision early on to encourage stockists by adopting a ‘no minimum order’ policy; this has proved extremely popular with retailers, with a high level of regular re-orders being placed.

What sets your company’s products apart from the rest?

From the start, D & J Glassware offered an attractive range of glassware for the garden: Watering Ball, the plant watering device and a selection of tealight holders and oil lamps. These items soon became very popular, gaining a loyal customer base including some high profile garden centres as well as independent gift shops and galleries, and they continue to sell well today. We have entered new products in this range in the Giftware Association’s ‘Gift of the Year’ competition and are very proud to have had products shortlisted in both 2010 and 2011.

How has D & J Glassware developed over the years?

As D & J Glassware has grown, it has been a conscious decision to branch out into other product areas. In 2008, we launched an exclusive range of Amber and Sterling Silver jewellery made by our young designer. Each piece is of the same high quality for which the company is known and features unique designs. I am keen to see other new product areas added to our range in the future.

How do you market your products?

We exhibit at all the major trade exhibitions throughout the year and support out products with targeted advertising campaigns within the trade magazines. Our company website, www.dandjglassware.co.uk is a useful source for our stockists.

Any plans for the future?

2010/2011 sees the introduction of the company’s ‘D & J by Design’ brand, featuring an exciting collection of bird tables and feeders. These have been designed by myself and business partner Jocelyne Royou. The market for bird-feeding in the UK is huge and giftware retailers need to offer their customers a choice. Our range comprises nine attractive designs of tables and feeders all aimed at bird-feeding enthusiasts and competitively priced for our current challenging economy.

Each product is individually gift-boxed to create an eye-catching display in store and was well received when we exhibited them at GLEE.

Also new for 2011 is a colourful range of fused glass clocks, plates and wall-art. This was launched to wide acclaim at the recent Giving and Living show at Exeter and we were extremely happy with the level of orders being placed.

We’re looking forward to an exciting year in 2011 with the focus very clearly on developing new products and broadening our distribution.

How do we contact you?

We are based in Norfolk and can be contacted on:

Telephone: 01953 483516

E-mail: dandj.glassware@btinternet.com

Website: www.dandjglassware.co.uk