The window – a frequently used metaphor in art. It allows for outlook, foresight, and insight. Three qualities that perfectly reflect what EgoKiefer stands for.

On average, employees stay with EgoKiefer for 15 years. An impressive level of loyalty that brings the company crucial advantages: “Our people have extensive experience. They know what matters. They know the products. They know the market,” says Danny Weidensdorfer, Head of Service at EgoKiefer. A promising outlook on both sides: employees feel valued by their employer, and in return, the company benefits from long-term know-how.

The company’s range of services extends from consultation and planning to installation of windows and doors – and beyond. “Thanks to our many locations, we’re present in all regions of Switzerland and can therefore meet the specific requirements of local markets in the best possible way,” says Weidensdorfer. Local presence is a key factor in their success. “We have on-site contacts. When it comes to questions, concerns, or challenges, our customers want personal contact. And that’s exactly what we offer them.”

Innovation is core business

The company is on track – and constantly looking for new ideas for maintaining and repairing windows and doors. Outstanding service is a top priority at EgoKiefer. Just like at EgoKiefer, innovation is also at the core of GLASSRESQ. Foresight and vision – that’s what connects the two companies. Both are always seeking ways to expand their offerings. GLASSRESQ Managing Director Dominic Duer approached Weidensdorfer at a trade fair 2.5 years ago. “We quickly realized – it was a great fit,” Weidensdorfer recalls. “Just like us, GLASSRESQ is open-minded, innovative, and motivated to take on new challenges across Switzerland.”

Easywrap, a liquid film that protects surfaces and objects during construction, installation, and transport, is one such example. With this product, GLASSRESQ recently made a real breakthrough in the construction industry. Easywrap is easy to apply to elements and can later be removed without hassle. “That’s a huge advantage,” says Weidensdorfer about GLASSRESQ’s innovation. The product’s potential – it’s enormous.

The timing of the collaboration is no coincidence. Weidensdorfer explains that renovation is becoming increasingly important in the construction sector. “Now it’s time to renovate the buildings constructed over the past few decades.” If a visually appealing facade needs work, one that’s complex in design, a lot of manpower, a crane – maybe even a helicopter – might be required. Such endeavors can become very costly, he says. “That’s where GLASSRESQ products and services come in: damage can be resolved with minimal effort – for example, through polishing.” This solution clearly resonates with customers. They want options with an excellent price-performance ratio.

Weidensdorfer notes: “If you have a glass scratch repaired by GLASSRESQ on the 6th floor, it costs about ten to twelve times less than a complete glass replacement. Choosing to replace a pane of glass prematurely is like throwing money out the window.”

GLASSRESQ offers everything from a single source

GLASSRESQ is more than just a rescue partner for EgoKiefer. “Whenever we need a repair somewhere in Switzerland, we want to know there’s a partner behind it we can trust – and count on long-term. GLASSRESQ is that kind of partner.” Another advantage: GLASSRESQ offers everything from a single source. With its sister company AXIS Project, window profiles made of aluminum, wood, and PVC can also be repaired.

When asked about future challenges, Weidensdorfer states with confidence: “In the future, our EgoKiefer WindowDoorService will increasingly focus on renovation and refurbishment. That’s where we’ll find our space together with GLASSRESQ – to offer our customers the best service possible.”

EgoKiefer AG

EgoKiefer is Switzerland’s number one for windows and doors. With its comprehensive product range, personal local consultations, and professional project management, the company has stood out for nearly 90 years. With 10 sales locations, the WindowDoorService with around 90 mobile joinery units, and over 350 specialist partners, EgoKiefer is always nearby – offering convenient solutions from A to Z.

GLASSRESQ AG

With two locations in Switzerland and others in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, the UK, and the USA, GLASSRESQ AG offers innovative, simple, and cost-effective solutions for repairing damage to glass surfaces.

The Partnership

Since 2018, a close partnership has developed between EgoKiefer AG and GLASSRESQ AG. The shared focus on renovation and repair of glass damage is the foundation of their collaboration.

When glass surface damage is discovered shortly before a building handover, time is money. The glass restoration process from GLASSRESQ convinces the insurance experts at Helvetia. Thanks to this process, the original value of a window can be quickly and easily restored.

If anyone understands time pressure, it is certainly building owners. When a large construction project is handed over, months or even years of work come to an end. The entire structure is meticulously inspected for possible damage, and scratches, cracks, or breaks in panes are often found. Windows are installed relatively early in the construction process and are therefore vulnerable. “Protective measures and construction work don’t always go hand in hand harmoniously,” says Francis Geng, Head of Claims, Technical Insurance Department Switzerland at Helvetia Insurance. Where there is planing, there are shavings—or in this case: glass sometimes gets scratched.

More glass is used today than before—after all, living and working spaces are supposed to be flooded with light and provide generous views. Modern window panes are generally robust but also delicate: a moment of carelessness or a spark during work is enough—and the damage occurs. Buyers of construction projects want flawless goods, in the case of windows, completely intact panes. “Psychology also plays a role here,” explains Geng, “we want to know something is truly undamaged when it’s new.” Accordingly, the desire to restore the window to its original condition after damage is very strong.

No Material Weakening Thanks to GLASSRESQ

The first, understandable impulse is to immediately replace defective panes. But this is easier said than done at this stage of construction. Replacement often involves its own risks: “While small windows can be replaced without problem, a crane may be necessary for a glazed terrace door,” explains Geng. And if the surrounding work is already finished, those responsible think twice before bringing in a crane that has to roll through the garden. Furthermore, delivery times could delay repairs excessively—possibly until tenants have already moved in and furnished the property. In short: careful consideration is required between new risks caused by replacement and repairing the existing pane.

“Here GLASSRESQ scores with their restoration method,” confirms Francis Geng. The special procedure relies on a temperature-dependent smoothing process with a major advantage: “It does not weaken the material, so there is no loss of value.” The original value of the window is preserved—quickly, easily, and even dust-free.

Geng admits that restoration is not always possible. However, he appreciates that GLASSRESQ’s service technicians inspect reported defects on a property and provide a detailed assessment for each individual pane. If there is a residual risk that restoration will not return the pane to its original condition, replacement is recommended. “This creates very high transparency for all parties involved—owners, builders, and insurers.”

Restoration Instead of Replacement Is Becoming Increasingly Important

Since a deductible is charged for defective windows, the focus is naturally on costs. But not only that. Restoration also conserves resources. Geng suspects that sustainability will play an even greater role in this area in the future than it already does today. Rising energy prices, for example, could increase the cost of large windows. The higher the production and manufacturing costs, the more worthwhile preservation becomes. He also notes a societal trend towards repairing valuables: “Why should a pane be thrown away just because it has a scratch?”

Helvetia increasingly sees its role as advising its customers: on the one hand with regard to preserving value, and on the other with regard to protecting the environment and resources. All Helvetia building insurance loss adjusters are trained technicians and engineers who later acquired the necessary insurance knowledge. This enables them to speak on equal terms with construction experts and to argue in favor of resource-saving solutions. “This is one of our contributions to sustainability,” says Francis Geng proudly.

Helvetia Construction Insurance

From the first groundbreaking to the finished building, many hands are at work—and accidents can happen. Construction insurance protects you from financial consequences throughout the entire construction phase. Helvetia Construction Insurance is a combination of construction all-risk and builder’s liability insurance. It protects against financial consequences due to damage to the building under construction and claims when uninvolved third parties are harmed by construction activities. Read more about Helvetia here.

GLASSRESQ AG

GLASSRESQ AG, with two locations in Switzerland as well as others in Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, England, and the USA, offers innovative solutions for the simple and cost-effective repair of glass surface damage.

The Collaboration

Typically, the insurance customer commissions GLASSRESQ for a repair. Helvetia then inspects and compensates the damage. The decision criteria for GLASSRESQ’s service are quality, speed, and their proprietary restoration process.