OUR HISTORY
The Savekers Story
A story of letting go, and finding meaning
The family business journey that sits at the heart of the GLAS Method®, told by Dani Saveker, the fourth generation.
106 YEARS, FOUR GENERATIONS
I'm Dani Saveker, and I spent 14 years working within Savekers, a family business manufacturing architectural metalwork and shop fittings.
My story there ended on 10th March 2009, when I signed the paperwork placing the company into voluntary administration. The interesting bits have been those in between, and equally what has followed since.
TAKING THE HELM
In 2001 I became managing director, stepping into a business that had only ever been led by the men of another branch of the family. The years that followed brought a restructure, a fire, two acquisitions and a centenary. Decisions I stand by, and a cost that was very personal.
“The pain and hurt was real, but you can't ever show this.”
LETTING GO
When the downturn came, the business had no reserves left to give. On 10th March 2009, after 106 years, I stood in front of people I had known since I was a child and told them we were closing the doors for the last time.
WHAT GLAS LATER REVEALED
“We had severe misalignment. Misalignment, when left over time, leads to a terminal situation.”
Seeing the value in that journey is what allowed me to build GLAS: a way to reveal the human system underneath a business before misalignment becomes terminal. It is why I do this work, and why I do it with families, leaders and advisers alike.
WHAT CAME NEXT
MORE OF THE STORY
Only in a Family Business…
This page is the outline. The book is the story: 60 true stories spanning four generations and 106 years of family business. Published 28 October 2026.