Biggest NZ glazier swamped with calls but responding fast in quake-hit Christchurch

New Zealand’s biggest glazier Smith and Smith is working from dawn to dusk in a bid to help restore earthquake victims’ glass-shattered Christchurch homes.



Window-repair experts from all over New Zealand have been sent to Christchurch to help pick up the broken pieces of Christchurch homes and businesses and begin the massive task of replacing glass.



Smith and Smith commercial director Julia Dol said today they had a roster in place for the next three weeks at least to replace windows shattered in the September 4 quake.



``We believe there is a very long road to go on the rebuilding that will be required in Christchurch. Bringing in staff and resources is one of the first boosts to the post-quake Christchurch economy as our staff from other centres are accommodated and eating locally.’’



``We are replacing broken windows but also boarding up a lot of homes and businesses to make them temporarily secure. We are available 24/7 and have received a massive volume on calls for help. We started nearly four hours after the quake struck last Saturday morning and we were doing our first job by 10am.



``We brought generators, portaloos etc into our premises in Russley Rd from Dunedin. The first vans and glaziers to arrive in Christchurch came from Hastings, Wellington, Nelson, Dunedin, Invercargill and Ashburton to support our Christchurch team, and they were all in the city ready to start the following day,’’ Dol said.



Smith and Smith’s Moorhouse Ave branch has been closed all week, but will reopen tomorrow. Their Russley Rd branch is their major outlet.



Ironically but not surprisingly, Smith and Smith suffered broken glass in the quake, but as much as 80 percent of stock survived.



They are operating with 22 glaziers supported by cutters and customer service staff. People can contact Smith and Smith on 0800 80 90 80 or text SOS to 244 and they will call back all inquiries.