What is this company?

Active status, founded 63 years ago, 39 employees, revenue range: 1m-15m, virtual address, 2 directors, 1 owner, solo founder, located in Potters Bar. Regular importer of thick other float or polished glass (over 4.5mm), various grinding or polishing machines for glass, non-reflective non-wired glass, various worked glass, unframed glass mirrors (14.0 months imported). Regular exporter of various glass products, unframed glass mirrors, various optical parts, thin other float or polished glass (up to 3.5mm), framed glass mirrors (120.0 months exported). Operates in the processing & manufacturing, the glass products, the mirrors, laminated glass, glazing units, etc industries.

Who owns this company?

Botterman Robert John owns this company. The list of owners was changed two years ago. It is not exhaustive, as only owners with more than twenty five percent of shares are published.

Who are the directors of this company?

Joiner Stephen James, Botterman Robert John are the directors of this company. The list of directors was changed three years ago.

When was this company founded?

The company was incorporated sixty three years ago on December 10, 1962.

What does this company import to the UK?

The top import category of the regular importer company is Thick other float or polished glass (over 4.5mm), Various grinding or polishing machines for glass, Non-reflective non-wired glass, Various worked glass, Unframed glass mirrors, imported for 14.0 months. The last import operation was made on August 01, 2025.

What does this company export from the UK?

The top export category of the regular exporter company is Various glass products, Unframed glass mirrors, Various optical parts, Thin other float or polished glass (up to 3.5mm), Framed glass mirrors, exported for 120.0 months. The last export operation was made on April 01, 2026.

Which countries does this company export to?

The company exports to Belgium, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Qatar, Slovakia, and United States. (non-official data, calculated by Corpsignals)

Which countries does this company import from?

The company imports from Belgium, China, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, and Spain. (non-official data, calculated by Corpsignals)

Which ports does this company use for trade?

The company uses the following ports for trade: Dover, Dover / Eurotunnel, East Midlands Airport, Eurotunnel, Felixstowe, Holyhead, Hull, Killingholme, London Gateway Port, London Heathrow Airport, London Stansted Airport, Manchester Airport, Newcastle Airport, and Southampton. (non-official data, calculated by Corpsignals)

What type of transport does this company use for trade?

The company uses Air transport, Roll on Roll off (RORO), and Sea transport (not vehicle on ferry) for trade. (non-official data, calculated by Corpsignals)

What does this company do?

The company operates in the processing & manufacturing, the glass products, the mirrors, laminated glass, glazing units, etc industries.

How big is this company?

It's a small company as it met two conditions of three: turnover less than £10.2 million, balance sheet less than £5.1 million, employees less than 50. The last reported current assets is £1,908,573.

Can I trust this information?

CorpSignals sources its data from UK government records including Companies House and HMRC trade data. Data is updated every 24 hours. While we ensure accuracy through automated validation, please refer to original government sources for legal or compliance purposes.

Instrument Glasseslimited

Q: Where is this company based?

The registration address is EN6 5AS, United Kingdom, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, C/O Michael Filiou Ltd Salisbury House, 81 High Street. The address is virtual address as 118 companies registered at the address.

Active

Small

63 years

39 employees

£1,908,573 (cur assets)

1m-15m

Regular importer

Regular exporter

Virtual address

2 directors

1 owner

Solo founder

Potters Bar

Field of Operation

Shaping and processing of flat glass

23120 394 companies

Website

instrumentglasses.com↗

Social media

facebook↗

Summary

Instrument Glasses Ltd, based in Potters Bar, UK, is a long-standing small business, active since its founding 62 years ago in December 1962. With 37 employees and £1,863,941 in assets, it's a family-run operation with two directors and a single owner, the solo founder. The company operates from a virtual address, registered at Salisbury House, which is a bit odd as 111 companies share the same address. Instrument Glasses is a regular importer of glass and glassware (14 months) and a seasoned exporter (88 months), with the latest export activity recorded in February 01, 2025.

The company's website showcases a business specializing in precision workmanship and quality glass products. It serves a diverse range of industries, including lighting, optical trade, gift industry, security, automotive, engineering, defence, medical, museums, and pressure vessel sectors. It offers a wide range of glass products, from standard stock to custom splashbacks and display cabinets. A poignant section on the site commemorates the recent passing of Brian Botterman, the beloved husband, father, grandfather, and Managing Director, highlighting the family’s deep involvement in the business. The website also hints at a separate venture, 1066 Pianos, which seems to be a high-end piano restoration business, adding a layer of complexity to the company’s overall profile.

Financially, Instrument Glasses Ltd presents a mixed picture. While cash reserves increased by a healthy 14% to £1.1 million, net assets remained steady at £3.6 million. However, creditors decreased by a significant 26%, suggesting better debt management. Trade debtors also fell by 27%, which is good. The company’s small size (meeting two of three criteria for turnover under £10.2m, assets under £5.1m, and fewer than 50 employees) allows for agility, but the decrease in trade debtors might indicate a slowdown in sales. There’s no auditor mentioned, so the figures are unaudited.

Overall, Instrument Glasses Ltd seems to be a stable, long-standing business, but the decrease in trade debtors could be a sign of a potential challenge. The dual nature of the business, with its glass processing and the separate piano restoration venture, adds an interesting dynamic that could be a source of strength or complexity.

Registered in England/Wales under the registration number 00743609, with a registered address at EN6 5AS, United Kingdom, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, C/O Michael Filiou Ltd Salisbury House, 81 High Street.

WARNING: The numbers have been rounded for simplicity and may be inaccurate.Please, refer to the latest financial report for verification.
Ports, countries, transport, and price/kg were calculated by CorpSignals; non-official data, may contain errors.

Owners & PSC

Botterman Robert John

10 years

75%+

Managers

Joiner Stephen James

14 years

Company director

Botterman Robert John

16 years

Works manager

Last reports

Download the last financial report

Download the last confirmation report

* may contain a full shareholder list

Last news

2026-01-05 Latest
Confirmation statement made on 2026-01-05 with no updates
2025-07-26
Unaudited abridged accounts made up to 2025-03-31
2025-01-06
Confirmation statement made on 2025-01-05 with no updates

Importer profile by HS codes

Click on the map to see detailed UK statistics on HS code, including companies list.

Import HS codes in detail

Last imported products

Click on items to see detailed UK statistics on HS code, including companies list.

* Warning: Ports, countries, transport, and price/kg were calculated by CorpSignals; non-official data, may contain errors.

Exporter profile by HS codes

Click on the map to see detailed UK statistics on HS code, including companies list.

Export HS codes in detail

7005 7005-Float or polished glass sheets Glass sheets made by floating or polishing, with or without special layers like absorbent, reflective, or non-reflective coatings 13 months, last: 2026-04-01

7006 7006-Bent or worked glass Glass that has been bent, engraved, drilled, or decorated, but not framed or fitted with other materials. Examples include decorative glass and specialty glass for various uses 3 months, last: 2023-11-01

7007 7007-Safety glass Strong glass designed for safety, either toughened (tempered) or laminated. Used in vehicles, buildings, and more to prevent injuries 1 months, last: 2020-04-01

7009 7009-Glass mirrors, framed or unframed All types of glass mirrors, including those with or without frames, and rear-view mirrors 34 months, last: 2026-03-01

7013 7013-Glassware for everyday use Glass items like tableware, kitchenware, and decorative pieces, but not including laboratory or technical glassware 1 months, last: 2017-06-01

7014 7014-Signaling glassware and optical elements Glass items used for signaling or optical purposes, not including lenses or prisms 1 months, last: 2017-02-01

7020 7020-Various glass products Includes various glass items not classified elsewhere 47 months, last: 2025-11-01

9001 9001-Optical fibers, lenses, and related items Covers optical fibers, cables, polarizing sheets, lenses (including contact lenses), prisms, mirrors, and other unmounted optical elements 4 months, last: 2022-09-01

9002 9002-Optical parts for devices Lenses, prisms, mirrors, and other optical parts used in instruments or machines, excluding simple glass elements 32 months, last: 2026-04-01

9004 9004-Corrective or protective glasses and goggles Includes all types of glasses and goggles used for vision correction, eye protection, or other purposes, such as safety goggles and reading glasses 2 months, last: 2025-08-01

9018 9018-Medical and dental tools Instruments and devices used in medical, surgical, dental, or veterinary fields, including imaging and testing equipment 1 months, last: 2017-08-01

9027 9027-Tools for testing and measuring physical or chemical properties Instruments for analyzing materials, checking heat, light, or sound levels, and measuring things like viscosity or surface tension. Includes microtomes for cutting thin samples 1 months, last: 2022-06-01

9029 9029-Counters and speed measuring devices Includes revolution counters, production counters, taximeters, milometers, pedometers, speed indicators, tachometers, and stroboscopes 1 months, last: 2018-05-01

9031 9031-Measuring tools and machines Tools and machines used to measure or check things, not listed elsewhere. Includes profile projectors 1 months, last: 2018-10-01

Last exported products

Click on items to see detailed UK statistics on HS code, including companies list.

Thin other float or polished glass (up to 3.5mm)

70052925

Last exported: 2026-04-01

Port: Hull

Country: Germany

Transport: Roll on Roll off (RORO)

Price: £0.62 per kg

Unframed glass mirrors

700991

Last exported: 2026-03-01

Port: Holyhead

Country: Ireland

Transport: Roll on Roll off (RORO)

Price: £4.29 per kg

Various glass products

70200080

Last exported: 2025-11-01

Port: East Midlands Airport

Transport: Air transport

Price: £10.19 per kg

Finished glass products

70200008

Last exported: 2025-08-01

Port: London Stansted Airport

Country: United States

Transport: Air transport

Price: £67.8 per kg

Framed glass mirrors

700992

Last exported: 2023-11-01

Port: Dover / Eurotunnel

Transport: Roll on Roll off (RORO)

Price: £14.9 per kg

* Warning: Ports, countries, transport, and price/kg were calculated by CorpSignals; non-official data, may contain errors.

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