Ranger Specialized Glass Inc.

Robert Malone Founded Ranger Specialized Glass Inc. (RSG) in 1983 as a specialty fenestration company. Based in Houston, Texas, the company serves clients around the country. RSG has developed a business presence in Texas as well as on the East Coast in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. With roughly 65 people on staff, the growing business employs a number of specialists, technicians and salespeople with strong experience in the industry. Jan Hiltibrand, general office manager, has been with the business for 27 years, working closely with Malone, president of RSG since the mid-1980s.

While there are window and door experts across the country, even concentrated in the company’s focus regions, RSG is able to stand out from the competition. “Our knack for detail really sets us apart,” Hiltibrand explains. “We are always willing to do something new as far as building goes and we strive to innovate. With any challenges that arise, we are consistently willing to work through the issues. Malone loves a good challenge, and that sentiment is shared across the team. We work together very well.”

Unique Services and Capabilities

RSG boasts broad capabilities. With a 35,000-square foot facility and a large staff with leading technical and practical capabilities, clients return to the business time and again to take advantage of leading specialty services. The company manufactures and installs curtain walls, spider walls, entrances, architectural panels, storefronts, mirrors and other specialty external and internal features for buildings of all shapes and sizes. The crew easily customizes items according to client needs and specifications. Beyond initial construction, RSG offers specialty glazing products to protect walls, windows and doors from the elements and other threats.

“Specialty glazing products have become our niche in recent years,” Hiltibrand notes. “We always have several challenging projects lined up. In Maryland, we just completed the United States Pharmacopeia project Phase 2. We did Phase 1 a while ago. During phase two, we had to build a curved walkway to connect the two buildings. We also just completed a project on Block 16 in Virginia and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.”

Conquering Market Challenges

While the team has a number of interesting projects on backlog now, Hiltibrand says the last five or so years have been difficult. “It’s always a struggle to keep the doors open,” she explains. “Insurance and payroll are our biggest expenses. Materials are expensive as well, but those are incorporated into each bid. We are seeing some subtle positive changes, but there are still challenges ahead. We are staying on the same road we are on, carefully managing internally. Virginia is exploding with business, so that is a reliable market for us over the next few years. People are spending more money, which is a good sign.”

By building and maintaining relationships, RSG is able to maintain stability even in the most challenging markets. The company has attracted a number of loyal customers and has identified a number of reliable, stable strategic partners to work with. “We keep subbing to a minimum, but we generally work with local subcontractors when we need them,” Hiltibrand explains. “We sub out revolving doors and automatic doors. We will do whatever it takes to complete a project correctly and efficiently.”

Project management makes up a large portion of the business. In-house superintendents guarantee safety and success on each site. RSG offers three decades of experience and innovation, ensuring the expertise necessary to excel on even the most complicated projects. With partnerships long established with leading, preferred suppliers, the business has access to a wide range of parts and materials to turn designs into reality.

While a leading expense for the business, RSG’s team is the company’s greatest asset. These employees, with a solid average tenure, continue to contribute to the business’ ability to stay on the cutting edge of performance and technology. Strong walls, windows, doors and more contribute to the successful day-to-day operation of airports, hospitals, office buildings, stadiums and more.

In 2013, RSG is celebrating 30 years in business. As the market continues to change, the team continues to seek out new opportunities, with a promising future for growth on the East Coast. Hiltibrand and Malone offer continued leadership. Always up for a challenge, Ranger Specialized Glass maintains a leading position in the fenestration market in a number of growing regions.