From starting out as a sole trader over 30 years ago, John has not only built Hobart Glass & Aluminium to be what is now one of Tasmania’s largest and respected glazing companies with 35 full-time employees, he has also led the industry’s development and expansion on a national level.
John has served at Vice-President and President on the Tasmanian Glass and Glazing Association, and during this time he was the driver behind the first industry awards night, which subsequently became a national event.
Under John’s leadership and guidance, Hobart Glass & Aluminium was the first Tasmanian company to take out an AGGA Design Award at a national level and to produce the first National Apprentice of the Year.
His passion and dedication to the glass and glazing industry in Australia saw him join a special committee to create a business plan aimed at expanding the glass industry at a national level, predominantly by focusing on high performance products suitable for featuring in architectural projects and designs, and better suited to withstanding Australia’s challenging climate and weather conditions.
Additionally, John is heavily involved in Tasmania’s South-East Regional Development Association (SERDA). Through SERDA, John is currently building pathways to encourage the next generation of glaziers and manufacturers to join the glass and glazing industry through informal training and information about the industry to the region’s youth. A four-week Glazing Industry Awareness Course aims to create greater interest and understanding of the diversity and scope in the glazing industry and to be a more appealing career path for school leavers. Attendees showing potential throughout the course will be directed to prospective employers within the glazing industry across southern Tasmania.
Hobart Glass & Aluminium has trained approximately 45 apprentices, many of which are still in the trade across not only Tasmania but also across the country. Some of the earliest apprentices John trained are now managers with Hobart Glass & Aluminium 30 years later.
Always looking for new opportunities to expand the industry, John has also designed dyes and aluminium extrusions for the marine industry that has allowed Tasmania's biggest ship builder to be able to source doors locally for vessels that are sold all over the world.
Congratulations to John Ryan, AGWA 2021 Industry Person of the Year.