Best pals from school ‘have never argued’ in 9 years running successful Forfar firm

When Jordan Christie and Kris Yule became friends in their second year at Monifieth High School, few would believe they’d grow up to run a successful business together. Now, both aged 36, Jordan and Kris run a Forfar company that specialises in fitting windows and doors.

They named the firm Raise & Glaze as they wanted to raise the standards of the industry. Despite working together every day, the pair claim to have never had an argument as they both have the same standards for quality.

Jordan and Kris both served their time working for Job Worth Doing in Aberdeen. Kris was a fitter while Jordan was an engineer rectifying problems. When this operation folded in the Granite City, Jordan started working self-employed aged just 25. Two years later Kris joined him and they formed KJ Joinery. Seeing the opportunity to specialise in windows and doors, they then started Raise & Glaze three years ago.

Jordan explained:

“When you focus on one thing, you can be the best.

“We were already doing a lot of door and window fitting, but three years ago we decided to rebrand to narrow the focus.

“We got off to a really good start. Work started coming in as soon as we set the business up, which we didn’t expect.

“The first year was great, the second year was a bit slower. The third year has really picked up again.”

Mostly working in Dundee and Angus, the pair believe their high standards are the reason for the demand for their services. Unlike many businesses, they do not subcontract work or take on part-time workers. They work on every job themselves. Jordan believes this means higher quality results.

“We are precise when we are working,” he said.

“Kris and I have been in the business for years and know all the tricks of the trade to minimise problems and make things look good.

“The key for us is that we take our time and have real pride.

“A lot of window fitters are in a race against time to get the job done and onto the next one. We’re not like that and now we get all our jobs via recommendations from past customers.

A breakthrough for the Forfar business has been Jordan’s mum, Angela McGoldrick, joining as a manager. Angela, who recently started a new BNI networking group in Forfar, came on board after Jordan “begged” for her help and has since taken over the company’s administration work as well as attracting new business.

Jordan added:

“The business is in a really good place.

“We’ve had conversations with people before who say ‘working with your best mate, you’ve bound to have arguments’.

“The reality is we never fall out. He wants things to be as tip-top and as good as I do.”

This article appeared in the Courier on 1 June 2026