Ryan Knight from Viewco Glass

Lynne, Ian, Ryan and Michelle Knight with Wagga Wagga City Council Mayor Greg Conkey (centre) outside the Viewco Glass factory..

Photo credit: Cut Above Productions

Viewco Glass is a Wagga business on the rise, recently launching its new factory and showroom in Jones Street.

Owner Ryan Knight talks about the decision to invest in Wagga despite only a third of its business being generated here, and a deal he’d like to see forged to ensure the future prosperity of the city.

Investing in Wagga is something Ryan Knight knows well.

In partnership with his parents, Ian and Lynne, and wife Michelle, Ryan owns Viewco Glass – specialists in architectural and designer glazing projects.

With the business on the brink of expansion, the Knights invested further in Wagga by building their brand new factory here.

“About 30 percent of our turnover comes from Wagga, with our biggest market being Canberra,” Ryan explains.

“I often get asked why we decided to base ourselves here. It’s because of its central location, connectivity and the fact that Wagga’s a source of good workers. Plus we have a lot of love for Wagga.”

The new factory and showroom in Jones Street stands on a 4400sqm block with 2400sqm hardstand (paved areas for heavy vehicles) making the movement of stock easier than the former site in Nagle Street. Viewco employs 38 staff, three of whom are based in Canberra, along with a number of subcontractors.

Starting in the business at age 17, Ryan bought in as a partner in 2003. He says that while life is busy, he enjoys what he does.

“I really like my job. I enjoy the variety of work and we get to work on some really cool Grand Design type houses.

“The other day some of the boys sent me a photo of them dabbing in front of an install. They were really proud of it. We all take pride in our projects and our products.”

As a lover of Wagga, Ryan says he’d like to see time invested in the city’s strategic planning.

“We need to put the time into it now so we know where we’re going.

“I thank Committee for Wagga for bringing Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation Angus Taylor here recently. During his talk, Minister Taylor discussed City Deals, which is an exciting opportunity for Wagga.

“A City Deal is an overarching document that sets out the direction the city wants to take, developed in collaboration with industry and community groups. As it’s an agreement between the three layers of government, it holds everyone to account with reviews to ensure agreed actions take place.

“I’d love to see Wagga put its hand up to be the next in line for a City Deal. A 15 year commitment like that would really help Wagga decide the direction to take and help us get there.”

 Ryan believes that Committee for Wagga plays an integral role in lobbying for the city.

“We’re members of Committee for Wagga because the organisation is pro Wagga. It is community-minded and business-minded. Everything it does is for a better Wagga.”