Look around Wollongong and you will see glass in many of the large construction projects the company has been involved with over the years such as the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach and the Sorento and Harbourfront apartments.

The significance of such a long-established business closing was not lost on brothers Keith and John Sassall yesterday as they said farewell to staff.

They recalled how it was originally a timber joinery business started by their father, George Sassall, and a business partner in 1934.

It was then known as Coombs and Sassall, and later evolved to become an aluminium and glass company in the late 1960s.

‘‘When they first started in joinery, windows had timber frames,’’ John said.

‘‘It eventually became known as Sassall Architectural Window Systems.  We ultimately sold that company to a public company.’’ 

The company has mostly done work for clients in Wollongong, Sydney and Newcastle over the years.

George Sassall was born in Lithgow in 1901 before moving to Wollongong.

He was a carpenter and a joiner and was involved in building many of the original houses in some suburbs.

George knew his son Keith was also good with his hands so wasted no time getting him involved in the business.

John started later.

Older brother, Robert, also worked in the business before his brothers and retired about 15 years ago.

Keith started working for his late father when he was 14 years and 10 months old.

Keith now wants to retire down the coast and do some travelling while John plans to continue working on more residential and commercial development projects.