Category Archives: glassBYTEs Original Story
Belron Annual Report Shows Another Upswing
Belron reported another successful year of growth in its annual report. The company credits its Fit for Growth program and selling its operations in Russia and Turkey as contributing to the increases in its fourth quarter. Belron owns Safelite Autoglass … Continue reading
Shop Charged in Auto Insurance Fraud
A shop owner from Shrewsbury, Mass., has been indicted for his alleged role in an insurance fraud scheme. According to the Attorney General, Maura Healy, the automotive repair business owner intentionally damaged vehicles and stole $170,000. Adam Haddad, the owner, … Continue reading
Vitro Automotive Division Gets New Location
Auto glass shops have another avenue to purchase glass thanks to Vitro’s recent announcement on its new Texas location, which will serve as a wholesale distribution business. According to the company, its main goal is to have quicker distribution times … Continue reading
How Will These Recalls Impact Your Customers?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued three recalls with implications for the auto glass industry. The recalls affect New Flyer Industries Volkswagen Group of America, and Porsche Cars North America recently published three recalls that may affect … Continue reading
Campfield v. Safelite Lawsuit Partially Dismissed
The Campfield v. Safelite Group lawsuit was partially dismissed by an Ohio federal court judge this week. The court grants Safelite’s motion to dismiss “with respect to the dollar bill rule that Safelite made” as well as statements that it … Continue reading
New Hampshire OEM Bill Exempting Auto Glass Passes House
A New Hampshire bill that has major implications for the auto glass industry recently passed the state’s House of Representatives. The bill requires insurers to pay repair shops based on their conformance to OEM procedures, but exempts auto glass services … Continue reading
Vitro’s Glenn Miner Reflects on 39-Year Career Before Retirement
After 39 years in the industry, Glenn Miner is preparing to retire. March 29, 2019 will be his last day as director of construction for Vitro Architectural Glass, but Miner says it’s still business as usual right now. Miner’s father … Continue reading
TruRoad Acquires Two Auto Glass Businesses
Woburn, Mass.-based TruRoad Auto Glass has acquired Apple Auto Glass of Portland, Ore., and Hudson Valley Auto Glass, based in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. TruRoad includes several brands including JN Phillips Auto Glass, Techna Glass, Harmon Auto Glass and Windshield Centers. … Continue reading
Newly Combined Association Holds Spring Meeting
The spring meetings of the Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC) were held last week in Tampa, Fla. The meetings were the first in which the members of the former National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA) were incorporated into the AGSC. Newly-elected … Continue reading
Long Time Mygrant Employee to Depart
Tom Higginbottom of Mygrant Glass is departing from the company on March 29. Higginbottom has served as an employee for 38 years and was instrumental in its growth and success. Mygrant has grown over the years from a regional distributor … Continue reading
PPI: February Auto Glass Materials Pricing Rises
Prices for almost all materials used in the auto glass industry saw steady increases in February 2019, according to recently released Producer Price Index (PPI) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The monthly PPI, which includes auto glass, … Continue reading
Minnesota Legislation Halted
One form of Minnesota legislation was not on the House Commerce Committee agenda at last week’s meeting and the Alliance Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) expressed its displeasure. The AASP-MN made a proposal to make it an unfair claims … Continue reading
ASA Supports OE Repair Bill but Has an Amendment for it
The automotive service association (ASA) recently expressed its support on a piece of Connecticut legislation that addresses original equipment manufacturer (OEM) procedures for collision repairs but also looks to amend a portion of it. The bill, also referred to as … Continue reading
Court Rules Construction Company Responsible for Man Hit by Rock from its Truck
A construction company will have to pay $4.7 million to a man injured in August 2014 when a rock from a truck operated by the company crashed through his windshield and struck him in the head, causing a skull fracture, … Continue reading
New Hampshire Glass Shops Exempt
A new bill currently before the New Hampshire House Commerce and Consumer Affairs committee would require an insurer to reimburse a repairer for all repairs only if the repairer follows an original equipment manufacturer recommended collision repair procedures. Oh, and … Continue reading
Mitchell International Shares Future Tech in Q1
Mitchell International recently published its 2019 First Quarter Industry Trends Report, which highlights the impact of having 5G wirelesses technology, automotive design changes that benefit the environment, and how technology can improve claims outcomes. Mitchell International’s president and CEO, Alex … Continue reading
Proposed Bill May Impact Floridians
A new Florida bill has been introduced in the House, and if it passes there could be changes ahead for assignment of benefits (AOB). The new bill, also referred to as H7065, provides term definitions and requirements and limitations for … Continue reading
D’Ietern Annual Results Show Overall Growth
D’Ietern’s full yearly results showed growth in areas including its automotive division. The international company owns a majority share in Belron, the parent company of Safelite Autoglass. There were several points of interest the company highlighted within its report regarding … Continue reading
Exploding Sunroof Case Continues for Volkswagen
A lawsuit against Volkswagen Group of America (VW) will continue, as a California federal court judge ruled against VW’s motion to dismiss “certain claims” in the plaintiff’s second complaint. The judge also stated there is enough supporting evidence alleging the … Continue reading
Celebrating International Women’s Day with Auto Glass
Today is International Women’s Day, and it wouldn’t be complete without highlighting a few women in auto glass. Though the industry has been and is still predominately male driven, more women are finding success working on everything from installs to … Continue reading
Allstate Responds to Auto Glass America’s Motion to Dismiss
The legal battle between Allstate, Auto Glass America LLC of Florida (AGA) and its owner, Charles Isaly continues, as the insurance company has filed a response to the motion to dismiss that was filed by the auto glass company and … Continue reading
LKQ Corporation Reports Growth for Fourth Quarter and Year
LKQ Corporation, parent company of PGW Auto Glass, saw growth in its fourth quarter in 2018 and the year as a whole, according to its latest financial results. The company’s revenue increased by 22 percent, which is an increase of … Continue reading
Belron Canada Releases Results of Calibration Testing
Belron Canada has released the results of a study it commissioned from a Canadian testing firm to determine the influence of different windshields with calibration cameras on how certain ADAS systems perform. The research, performed by PMG Testing of Quebec, … Continue reading
Drivers Slowing Down In November
Updated travel numbers show drivers have been behind the wheel more often than not because the amount of miles driven increased in November 2018. All road and street travel improved by 0.3 percent, or 0.8 billion vehicle miles, compared to … Continue reading
Allstate Sues Auto Glass America and Its Owner
Allstate Insurance1, one of the nation’s largest writers of auto insurance policies, has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court, Orlando division, against Auto Glass America LLC of Florida (AGA) and Charles Isaly, of Arizona. The suit, which was … Continue reading
How Changes In Mobility May Impact Your Business
How people get from point A to point B is often a topic of discussion because it changes so frequently. Over the past few years shop owners and drivers have seen changes in transportation through things like Advanced Driver Assistance … Continue reading
Sika Grows Overall In 2018
Sika recently published its annual financial report which highlights its achievements and growth in 2018. In it the company mentioned its 13.6 percent sales increase, its 5.9 percent net profit increase, and the company’s operating free cash flow, which increased … Continue reading
Consumer Reports Stops Recommending Tesla 3, Notes Complaints about ‘Glass Defects’
Consumer Reports (CR) published an article on its website yesterday saying it “can no longer recommend the newest Tesla—the Model 3electric sedan—because members say they’ve identified a number of problems with their cars, including issues with its body hardware, as well as … Continue reading
Connecticut Bill Would Prohibit Auto Glass Shops from Seeking Criminal Histories of Employees
A bill is under review in the Connecticut legislature that aims “to prohibit employers from inquiring about the criminal history of an automotive glass employee or prospective automotive glass employee.” The bill, titled “An Act Prohibiting Inquiries about the Criminal … Continue reading
Aftermarket Windshield Recall
Fujian Wanda Automotive Glass Industry Co. Ltd. (Wanda) has issued a voluntary recall of nine different aftermarket windshields it makes citing safety concerns. Wanda’s recall announcement says a wire harness that is sealed at the bottom of the windshield can … Continue reading
Update For Arizona Bill
Earlier this month an Arizona Senator introduced a new bill, also known as SB1226. If it had passed it would have impacted automotive glass shops throughout the state. Fortunately shops don’t have to continue following it because it has “died” … Continue reading
Florida Bill Moves Forward – Will Impact Auto Glass Shops
Last month Florida House members introduced a bill, known as HB 323. One its primary goals was to prevent auto glass shops in the state from “offering anything of value” to their customers in exchange for making claims for their … Continue reading
PPI: January Auto Glass Materials Pricing Rises
Prices for almost all materials used in the auto glass industry saw clear rises and declines in January 2019, according to recently released Producer Price Index (PPI) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The monthly PPI, which includes … Continue reading
New Legislation Might Affect Shops in Two States
Two new bills could impact auto glass industry businesses in Montana and Texas. A Montana State Senator introduced a new bill, SB 251, that would require an auto repair shop to do repairs that follow the guidelines and directions from … Continue reading
Q3 Report Has NSG on Top Despite Lower Auto Glass Numbers in Europe
Nippon Sheet Glass (NSG) released its third quarter financial results and it shows that total auto glass sales increased over the same period last year. NSG is one of the largest auto glass manufacturers and offers both original equipment manufacturer … Continue reading
Some Find Issues With Fees In Safelite Case
The messy dispute between the Minnesota Insurance Commissioner, Mike Rothman and Safelite have resulted in some hefty fees for Safelite’s attorneys. Last week the Eighth Circuit Court ruled the legal team for the auto glass repair company deserved close to … Continue reading
OEMGN Files Suit Against Two Distributors and Several Manufacturers Alleging a Boycott, Conspiracy
A New York auto glass distributor has filed suit against two other auto glass distributors and several manufacturers alleging they have conspired against the company and boycotted it in an attempt to eliminate it from the market. O.E.M. Glass Network … Continue reading
Saint Gobain Opens New Manufacturing Plant
Saint Gobain continues to make its presence known overseas. The French glassmaker opened its doors to a new float glass manufacturing plant in India. According to the company, it’s located in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, India. Saint Gobain stated the new … Continue reading
Updated: Recent Fire Destroys Auto Glass Business’ Tools And More
As many in the industry know – running a business isn’t easy, but it gets even more complicated when an unexpected fire puts all of your work on hold. This has been the unfortunate reality for one auto glass family … Continue reading
Arizona Glass Shops Should Watch This Bill
A new bill has been introduced by Senator Livingston in Arizona, and if it passes there could be changes ahead for businesses throughout the state. The new bill, also referred to as SB1226, would impact any shop that requires an … Continue reading
Caliber Collision and Abra Auto Body Repair of America Become One
Caliber Collision Centers (Caliber) and Abra Auto Body Repair of America (Abra) announced the merger that unites the companies across the U.S closed today. Going forward, the combined company will be investing more in enhanced technologies, specialized resources and innovative … Continue reading
South African Trip Centers On Auto Glass
A few members of Equalizer’s staff took a trip across the globe to South Africa. Why? To expand the company’s presence there and to work with some South African auto glass shops. “[Our goal was] to expand Equalizer’s presence in … Continue reading
New Site Launched For LYNX Services
LYNX Services unveiled a new site for uploading invoices and dispatched work today. The site has been active for a few weeks and several glass retailers have been using it. Starting today all transaction related fax numbers to LYNX Services … Continue reading
Safelite to Provide Claims Administration Services for Travelers Insurance
Safelite Solutions, Safelite’s claims administration company, has taken over administration of Travelers Insurance claims as of today. Claims were formerly administered by eGlassClaim, which is owned by Mitchell International, parent of NAGS, and done through the online resource. Travelers Insurance … Continue reading
Some Auto Glass Companies Continue To Work Despite Colder Temperatures
It’s not uncommon for businesses to expect colder weather in the winter months. But what happens when a cold front comes in that has the potential to drop temperatures so cold that the air hurts your face when you take … Continue reading
Q4 and 2018 Has Corning Reaching New Heights
Corning Inc. stated the company not only had an excellent fourth quarter, but it also had an excellent year as a whole. The glass company released its quarterly and annual financial report today. The company also manufactures Gorilla Glass, which … Continue reading
Saint-Gobain Named a Top Innovative Company For 8th Time
Saint-Gobain recently earned a spot on Clarivate Analytics’ “Top 100 Global Innovators” list for 2018. But this isn’t the first, second or third time the company has made its way on the list. In fact, this is the eighth consecutive … Continue reading
Volvo Releases Statement for Repair Shops
Volvo recently released a statement that involves what is to be used for windshield replacements on the company’s brand of vehicles. According to the company, it wants only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) auto glass used. “Volvo Car USA LLC requires … Continue reading
King Nominated to Lead the NHTSA Again
You might remember Heidi King, as she was chosen by President Trump to lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the first time, at the end of June. At the time King gained the Senate’s approval then awaited … Continue reading
Could This New Bill Could Impact You?
A new bill has been introduced in Florida, and if it passes there could be changes ahead for auto repair shops in the state. The new bill was introduced in the House and is also referred to as HB 323. … Continue reading
Clairus Gains US-based Advanced Auto Glass Inc.
The Clairus Group recently made a move to strengthen its position in the U.S. market. It established a partnership with LRST, a U.S .based management company that provides strategic management and M&A services to Clairus Group on an exclusive basis, according to the company. … Continue reading
Auto Glass Week™ 2019 Dates, Location Announced
Show organizers have released the dates and location of Auto Glass Week 2019. Auto Glass Week 2019 will be held Wednesday – Friday, September 4-6 at the Indiana Convention Center in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, Ind. Our host hotel … Continue reading
A New Bill Could Impact You in New York
A new bill has been introduced this week, and if it passes there could be changes ahead for businesses in New York. The new bill, also referred to as A 1201, would focus on ensuring auto glass replacement standards are … Continue reading
New Published Automated Vehicle Report Aims to Educate Your Customers
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) published Preparing For The Future Of Transportation 3.0 which is filled with the department’s thoughts on how everyone should be preparing for increased technological advancements in the next few years. It also includes a … Continue reading
PPI: A Mixture of Auto Glass Materials Pricing In December
Prices for almost all materials used in the auto glass industry saw clear rises and declines in December 2018, according to recently released Producer Price Index (PPI) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The monthly PPI , that … Continue reading
Looks Like More Than The U.S. Government Is Shutdown
When children argue it usually doesn’t last long before they make up, but when adults argue there’s no set time limit. This can even be seen though the most recent government shutdown. The United States entered day 24 today, making … Continue reading
New Act May Change How Auto Glass Is Handled in the Big Apple
An act has been introduced, that if passed, could affect New York drivers and AGRR shops. Act 268 is on the docket for further discussion in this year’s regular session. Act 268’s goal is to change portions of the current … Continue reading
The Clairus Group Takes The Next Step Into The U.S.
The Clairus Group announced the creation of its new team dedicated to North American mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The group will be led by Yves A. Sicard, who joined the company as the corporate development vice-president towards the end of … Continue reading
Bill to Index AGRR Job Pricing in New Hampshire Introduced
A bill has been introduced last Thursday in the New Hampshire House of Representatives that seeks to allow anti-steering language while allowing the insurer to limit payment to “fair and reasonable“—although body shops definition of “fair and reasonable” may be … Continue reading
Safelite AutoGlass Buys Glasspro
Safelite has purchased another regional powerhouse; Glasspro of North Charleston SC, an 11 – location AGRR company owned by Paul Heinauer. The transaction was completed at the close of business January 4, 2019, according to the company. “I’ve always been … Continue reading
New Technology Gives Insight to Vehicle Crashes
Ansible Motion is offering new technology related to Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), in the form of a simulator. The company’s simulator allows drivers to experience vehicles with ADAS and feature: Data acquisition for full suite of virtual vehicle and driver … Continue reading
Change in State Farm Settlement Ruling
Last month State Farm agreed to pay $250 million to settle an ongoing lawsuit in Illinois. The auto insurance company originally agreed to pay millions to end the Halve v. State Farm case in lieu of continuing with court proceedings. … Continue reading
Auto Club Group of MN Changes Program
The Auto Club Group in Minnesota has changed its offer for payment of AGRR claims. The price changes became effective January 1, 2019. Below are portions from the pricing notices that were sent out. Each notice is reflective of the … Continue reading
South Carolina Starts the Year with Pre-Filed Bill
Just before South Carolina rung in the New Year, a new bill, also referred to as H3374, could affect its code of laws related to auto collision coverage in reference to auto glass. According to the South Carolina’s State Legislature, … Continue reading
Government Officials Highlight Priorities for 2019
It’s not uncommon for traffic safety issues to cause accidents, which could lead to auto glass shops around the country being impacted. The nation’s safety officials see 7 major priorities as designated by the Government Highway Safety Association (GHSA). Autonomous … Continue reading
Ronald Lubner, Belron Founder Passes Away
Ronald (Ronnie) Lubner passed away December 27th in South Africa after a brief illness at age 84. To view the official release, click here. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Mitchell International Takes a Look at Industry Trends in Q4
The more artificial intelligence (AI) expands, the more it will impact the automotive repair industry, according to Mitchell International. The company recently published its 2018 Fourth Quarter Industry Trends Report, which looks into how intelligent automation is changing collision insurance … Continue reading
Fundraising Update Following Fatal Crash
Last month one industry family got news no one ever wants to hear – that a loved one has been involved in an accident and did not make it. glassBYTEs brought you the story of husband, father, and son Harry … Continue reading
PPI: Auto Glass Materials Prices On The Move In November
Prices for almost all materials used in the auto glass industry saw noticeable increases and decreases in November 2018, according to recently released Producer Price Index (PPI) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The monthly PPI category that … Continue reading
How Two Recalls Might Affect You
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently published two recalls that may affect your business. The two vehicle makes included in the recall are Champion Bus Inc. and Mercedes Benz, vehicle owners who are affected by these recalls have … Continue reading
How One Company Gives Back Through Its Windshields
When most people think of December they think of holidays, getting to see family and in some cases, snow. But for at least one Minnesota company, the holidays mean helping others. That can be said for Premier Auto Glass, in … Continue reading
Studies Show Old Headlights Can Lead To More Accidents
Every vehicle on the road has headlights, but can the quality of a person’s lights affect your business? According to a recent AAA study, having older headlights increase the possibility of impairing a driver by limiting the range of vision … Continue reading
ICBC Pays Millions Each Year for Brokers
Auto insurance brokers can be seen as an essential asset for any automotive insurance company, but recent reports show a spike in the amount brokers are being paid. The Insurance Company of British Columbia (ICBC’s) is regulated by the government … Continue reading
Recent Fire Destroys Shop But Donations Continue
Early last week a fire destroyed Daniel’s Auto Glass in Bassett, Va., making the building a total loss. The shop’s owner, Daniel Hanks, was left with no office nor tools to repair or replace windshields or tint customer’s windows. But … Continue reading
Report Points to Healthy Collision Repair Market
Collision repair has been on an upward swing in the past decade and the industry has seen increases across the board, according to a recently published report. A 2017 Profile of the Evolving U.S. and Canadian Collision Repair Marketplace, the … Continue reading
Crushing Its Third Quarter
LKQ Corp., parent company of PGW Auto Glass, saw significant growth in its third quarter, according to its latest financial results. The company reported another record for revenue growth with an increase of 26.6 percent, reporting 3.12 billion dollars in … Continue reading
Company Inaugurates Program to Help Fire Victims
California has had massive fires in its past, but none as devastating as the state’s most recent one. It’s been nicknamed the “Camp Fire” and has destroyed 150,000 acres of land, leaving nothing but soot and ash behind in addition … Continue reading
Caliber Collision and Abra Auto Body Repair to Merge
Caliber Collision and Abra Auto Body Repair of America (Abra) announced both have agreed to a merger and will combine companies. An official announcement was made today, and the transaction is set to close in early 2019. The combined company … Continue reading
NOVUS Glass To Enter Into Spanish Automotive Aftermarket
Fix Network World, parent company of NOVUS Glass has announced plans for NOVUS Glass to enter the Spanish automotive aftermarket. Fix Auto acquired the global rights to NOVUS Glass last year and the decision for NOVUS to enter into Spain … Continue reading
Tariff Rate Increase Put on Pause Amid New Discussions
The United States will not raise the rate of tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese products to 25 percent on January 1, 2019, as previously planned, according to a statement from the White House. Tariffs will remain at the … Continue reading
Racially Biased Case Against State Farm Now Closed
State Farm Mutual Automotive Insurance Company (State Farm) has recently won a racially based lawsuit. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana did not find enough evidence to hold the auto insurance company liable and has since … Continue reading
Investor Seeks Refund from Safe Way Auto Glass
They say “everything is bigger in Texas,” but could that also be the case when referring to refunds and lawsuits? Golrokh Malakan, from Harris County, is after a refund for $20, 000 she claims to have invested in Safe Way … Continue reading
PPI: Auto Glass Material Prices Show Steady Increases
Prices for almost all materials used in the auto glass industry saw noticeable increases in October 2018, according to recently released Producer Price Index (PPI) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The monthly PPI category that includes auto … Continue reading
Four Companies Receive DOT Numbers
The Department of Transportation recently awarded three DOT numbers two of the glazing companies are from overseas, while the remaining two are based in the U.S. XUCHANG YONGXIANG GLASS CO., LTD, based in Xuchang city, in the Henan province of … Continue reading
Could A New Driving Standard Affect You?
The changing world of transportation has led to a new SAE Standard. Though the Standard has a long name its goal is defining the new transportation economy. It was developed by SAE, a global association that consists of more than … Continue reading
The Holidays Turned Upside Down Following Fatal Crash
This week many are spending time preparing for Thanksgiving and are excited to devote time to friends and family. For one auto glass industry family tragedy struck just a few days ago, when a car accident resulted in Harry Raymond … Continue reading
As Crime Increases So Does Windshield Repair and Replacement
Automotive crime is unfortunate for many and shows no sign of completely stopping anytime soon. An increase in this type of crime could mean an increase in the amount of work for your shop, do you have enough technicians to … Continue reading
Mercedes-Benz Releases Windshield Replacement Statement
According to a company press release, Mercedes-Benz USA said it “strongly recommends” using only Mercedes-Benz parts for windshield glass replacements. In the same release, the company mentioned the windshield glass manufactured for its vehicles has particular specifications. Other glass manufacturers … Continue reading
PGW Buys Multiple Dakotaland Locations
PGW Auto Glass recently acquired several Dakotaland Wholesale Auto Glass locations. The purchase was finalized earlier this week; acquired locations are in Denver, St. Paul and Des Moines, according to the Dakotaland Auto Glass. Though there are more Dakatoland wholesale … Continue reading
The Boyd Group Income Fund Sees Growth From 2018’s Q3
The Boyd Group Income fund (The Boyd Group) saw growth during its third quarter, according to the company’s financial report and conference call that took place Wednesday. Sales increased by 17.3 percent, or $459.6 million, when compared to the same … Continue reading
AGSC and NWRA to Consolidate
The Auto Glass Safety Council™ (AGSC) and the National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA) will consolidate into one organization, effective January 1, 2019. Though technically not a merger, NWRA will dissolve and its membership, standards and work products will be welcomed … Continue reading
Recent Network Price Changes May Affect You
Safelite Solutions recently sent out notices of changes in the prices that some insurance companies are willing to pay for AGRR claims. The company reached out to notify SGC network shops in various regions of its new network pricing. The … Continue reading
Safelite Solutions VP Gives Insight into Program Changes
Auto glass companies say they have encountered challenges with some of the changes that have been implemented recently through the Safelite Solutions Network. Brian O’Mara, senior vice president, Safelite Solutions, talked to AGRR magazine editorial director Tara Taffera about why … Continue reading
Belron’s $455 Million Term Loan Takes Shape
Belron’s latest multi-million dollar transaction is set to close early next week. According to the company, it successfully allocated a term loan of $455 million. Some of the loan requirements include its total amount being $400 euros, in addition to … Continue reading
A New Court Order Forces Fuyao Founder to Comply
Fuyao Glass America’s (Fuyao) ongoing lawsuit continues with new orders from the U.S. District Court in Dayton. The Ohio court ordered Cho Tak Wong, Fuyao’s founder to produce documents. The type of information requested in the documents has yet to … Continue reading
A Court Dismisses an Auto Insurance Provider’s Appeal
Progressive Corporation’s appeal was dismissed by the state appeals panel in Florida earlier this week. The auto insurer is accused of piling windshield replacement companies with the cost of insurance appraisals, according to court documents. Two years ago four companies … Continue reading
Users React to Changes at Safelite Solutions
Automotive glass company users that bill through Safelite Solutions Network have noticed some changes, such as a shift to a new online approval system and new staff. Deanna Hatch, the office manager for Tiny & Sons in Pembroke, Mass., said … Continue reading
Watch: Auto Glass Companies Make Their Mark at SEMA
AGRR magazine and glassBYTEs.com was at SEMA last week covering everything related to auto glass. Companies told us about their new products, but also how all this new technology is affecting the auto glass market. Watch video here.
Campfield Files Motion to Dismiss Safelite’s Counterclaim
Counsel for Richard Campfield and his company, Ultra Bond Inc., has filed a motion to dismiss the counterclaim that Safelite filed against him last month in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Ohio. Campfield’s original 2015 suit … Continue reading
Patent Office Publishes Apple Application for Windshield Glare Suppression System
Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple Inc. is seeking a U.S. patent application for an “Active Glare Suppression System” for vehicles. The patent application was filed in September 2016, but was just published by the U.S. Patent and Trade Office on October 25. … Continue reading
Some Networks Revise Pricing
Safelite Solutions sent a notice to its shops on Friday, October 26 alerting them of new pricing from many of the networks. “As a result of the implementation of US trade tariffs on imported Chinese glass, Chubb (including its subsidiary … Continue reading
Punctuality, Communication Critical to Your Customer’s Experience
Price is important to your customer—but it isn’t everything. That was the message from Key Media & Research’s (KMR) director of research Nick St. Denis as a result of a new KMR research project. St. Denis discussed the results from … Continue reading
The Future of Auto Glass: Wide Open with Tight Curves
Glasstec, the world’s largest glass show is being held this week in Dusseldorf, Germany. This behemoth biennial event mostly focused on glass manufacturing and processing, including auto glass manufacturing and its related coatings, frits etc… Indeed, auto glass and its … Continue reading
HLDI Research Shows Differences Between ADAS Results Based On the Auto Glass Used
With Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) rising in consumer popularity, several tests have been performed to prove its value over the years. The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), has been conducting its own studies and has recently published its results. … Continue reading
Why Your Shop Should Keep Thermal Cameras on Its Radar
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) being installed in vehicles are quickly becoming the “norm” for car buyers. As you know, many drivers like having the extra sense of security through ADAS safety features. But one company has introduced an option … Continue reading
Corning Increases Its Profits in Q3
Corning Inc. saw significant growth in its auto glass and other glass avenues during its third quarter, according to the company’s financial report and conference call. Core sales were up by 16 percent, while the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) … Continue reading
Women Take On Windshield Repair
It’s no surprise that the auto glass industry is predominately men, but more recently women have been making their presence known in too. In fact, there are several programs designed specifically for women, #WomenRockRepair and Women in the Trades, are … Continue reading
Drivers Got Behind the Wheel in August
Updated travel numbers show drivers have been behind the wheel more often because the amount of miles driven increased in August. All road and street travel improved by 1.2 percent, or 3.5 billion vehicle miles, compared to August 2017, according … Continue reading
Why You Should Care About Chip Sealing
Chip sealing is a form of road repair that seems to be catching onto more than what some drivers bargained for. Towards the end of summer Jackson County, Oregon, drivers noticed that some of their roads turned into mostly gravel. … Continue reading
Workers Continue to Press for Compensation from Fuyao
The class action lawsuit against Fuyao has new guidelines to follow thanks to a U.S. District Court. Workers allege that their employer, Fuyao, did not fairly compensate them for the overtime hours they worked. Though the Ohio glass manufacturer stated … Continue reading
Motion Granted in Klein v. Safelite Autoglass Case
Shelby Klein has been battling a discrimination case for years against Safelite Autoglass, but a final ruling may be closer now following a granted summary motion. The New Jersey case centers around Klein alleging that her former employer, Safelite Autoglass, … Continue reading
AAA Introduces New Auto Glass Program and Teams up with JN Phillips Auto Glass
AAA Northeast made two announcements today that the company hopes will benefit its members and mean growth for the company. The company’s glass program, which offers auto glass repairs and replacements, is expanding its current territory, and will now offer … Continue reading
PPI: Auto Glass Material Prices Leaping Upward
Prices for almost all materials used in the auto glass industry saw noticeable increases in September 2018, according to recently released Producer Price Index (PPI) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The monthly PPI category that includes auto … Continue reading
Do You Know Enough About the Limitations of ADAS?
Every year the potential for more drivers on the road increases. This may seem beneficial to some, but what happens when drivers don’t fully understand the features in their vehicles? Your shop may get an influx of questions from your … Continue reading
Another Deposition Added to Volvo Sunroof Lawsuit
Court proceedings against Volvo don’t look to be slowing down. The Swedish carmaker is involved in a case that was originally filed in 2010 by Joanne Neale. It alleged defective sunroofs from Volvo that caused water leaks in certain models. … Continue reading
Loss of Visibility Soon May Be the Root for Recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently issued recalls that affect driver visibility. The two vehicle makes included in the recall are Mercedes Benz and Honda–thousands of vehicle owners are affected by these recalls. More than three hundred 2018 … Continue reading
Revised AGRSS Standard Approved by ANSI
There’s an updated Standard in town. The Auto Glass Safety Council™’s (AGSC) AGRSS™ Standards Committee recently approved a revision to ANSI/AGSC/AGRSS 003-2015, denoted as DRAFT ANSI/AGSC/AGRSS 004-2018 has been approved by ANSI. After a public comment period, those changes have … Continue reading
Lawsuit Settlement Leads State Farm to Pay $250 Million
The Hale v. State Farm mutual automobile insurance company (State Farm) lawsuit has come to an end. Last month the auto insurance company agreed to pay $250 million to settle the Illinois lawsuit. According to court documents, both parties agreed … Continue reading
An Addition Made to the Campfield v. Safelite Lawsuit
The Campfield v. Safelite suit has gone back and forth in court for years, between additional evidence to rescheduling court dates. In late September, Safelite requested to seal a document in hopes of restricting what information is made available to … Continue reading
A Growing Rise in Calibration and What it Means for Shops
Calibration was a very popular topic during this year’s Auto Glass Week. There were several seminars that discussed not only the need for calibration, but also how much it has increased throughout the past few years and what that means … Continue reading
Rosemia Tiglao of Santa Clara, Calif., Wins the Ford F-150
Out of eight finalists, it came down to the last two to find out who would win the Ford F-150 given away during the International Window Film Conference and Tint-Off™ (WFCT) and Auto Glass Week™. The winner came on the … Continue reading
2018 Auto Glass Replacement, Repair Competition Winners Announced
The winners of the Pilkington Clear Advantage Auto Glass Technician Competition (AGTO) and the GlasWeld Windshield Repair Competition (WRO) were announced tonight at a ceremony in San Antonio, Texas, where Auto Glass Week™ was held. Steve Abrahams of Auto Windscreens … Continue reading
AGW Exhibitors Continue to Show Off What’s New
Auto glass enthusiasts hit the showroom floor for another day to visit with this year’s exhibitors. Some of the booths even ran out of products to showcase because attendees cleaned out their inventory from the previous day. Many of them … Continue reading
AGTO, WRO Finalists Are Announced
The names of the Pilkington Clear Advantage Auto Glass Technician Competition (AGTO) and GlasWeld Windshield Repair Competition (WRO) finalists were announced tonight. In no particular order, the finalists in the AGTO large-size company division are: Steve Abrahams, Auto Windscreens in … Continue reading
Beaming Through Auto Glass with New Methods
Auto glass experts at the conference had a full Friday afternoon between continued exhibitors, demos and seminars. Many were interested in learning new methods of windshield glass manufacturing and came to Dr. Mike Shevelev’s seminar. Dr. Shevelev is the technology … Continue reading
The Sky Is the Limit for the Future of Automotive Glass
Auto Glass Week™ featured a keynote from speaker Michael Robinson, an American car designer based in Italy. Robinson engaged the crowd with the possibility of the future. While it is easy to see what will happen in the afternoon, it … Continue reading
Auto Glass Week™ Seminars Continue
Hundreds of auto glass professionals came and participated in the first auto glass seminar Friday morning at Auto Glass Week™ in San Antonio. It focused on trends in insurance glass claims and was presented by Kay Wakeman, a research analyst … Continue reading
Auto Glass Week™ Exhibitors Showcase Their Products
The showroom floor of Auto Glass Week™ in San Antonio was filled from wall to wall with exhibitors and industry professionals eager to learn about what’s new in auto glass. The reigning theme was overall growth. Some companies, such as … Continue reading
Nancy Friedman: Morning Coffee with a Side of Advice
Friday morning at Auto Glass Week™ (AGW) started off with Morning Coffee with Nancy Friedman, also known as the telephone doctor. Friedman has helped hundreds of companies increase their service level through her commonsense ideas, skills, tips and techniques. This … Continue reading
Tariffs Spark Conversation at Auto Glass Week™
On the opening day of Auto Glass Week™ 2018, Henri Tam, president at Xinyi Auto Glass North America, said news of the tariffs affecting auto glass was a huge topic of conversation among attendees. “We will have to pass these … Continue reading
Auto Glass Safety Council™ Gives Insight to AGW
Dozens of Auto Glass Safety Council™ (AGSC) members filled a conference room yesterday to kick off this year’s Auto Glass Week™ in San Antonio. Wednesday’s AGSC meeting, led by Peter Brown of Tiny & Sons Glass in Pembroke, Mass., highlighted … Continue reading
Excitement at Every Turn on Day 1
Auto glass professionals began their journey through Auto Glass Week™ on the first day of the conference today. Guests and participants could take advantage of seminars and added programs like Morning Coffee with Carl Tompkins. Morning Coffee with Carl Tompkins … Continue reading
Education at the Forefront of Seminars
Thursday morning also gave attendees at Auto Glass Week™ in San Antonio the opportunity to take advantage of more seminars prior to the show floor opening. Seminars ranged from teaching the values of OE and aftermarket auto glass to advanced … Continue reading
Richard Rawlings Inspires at AGW and WFCT
Thursday’s keynote speaker for Auto Glass Week™ (AGW) and the International Window Film Conference and Tint-Off™ (WFCT) was Richard Rawlings, the host of popular Discovery Channel show “Fast N’ Loud,” and the owner of Dallas-based Gas Monkey Garage. Rawlings answered … Continue reading
ADAS at Top of Mind: AGSC Committees Meet
Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) was front and center at the committee meetings of the Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC) in San Antonio yesterday. AGSC’s meetings began yesterday and continue today in advance of Auto Glass Week, which starts tomorrow. AGSC’s … Continue reading
Boaters Have A New Standard Drafted For Their Windshields
The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), submitted a notification to ANSI related to boating. It partially focuses on boat windshields. The new standard draft, identified as ABYC H-03-201x, highlights exterior windows, windshields and glazing materials in boats. ABYC H-03-201x … Continue reading
PGW Raising Prices Following Tariff
President Trump’s auto glass tariff became effective today. Chinese materials used in auto glass and glazing industries can expect to see a 10 percent increase as a result of the tariff, according to the document. Last week PGW Auto Glass … Continue reading
NAGS to Make Sweeping Changes to Business Model, NAGS Index
NAGS will soon announce the most comprehensive changes to both its business model and pricing schedule(s) since the revaluations of the late 1990s. The current NAGS Index will also be phased out. John Gilmartin, senior vice president of NAGS’ parent … Continue reading
Drivers Kept Their Feet on the Gas in July
Updated travel numbers show the amount of miles driven increased in July. All road and street travel went up by 0.3 percent, or 0.8 billion vehicle miles, compared to July 2017, according to the Federal Highway Administration’s most recent numbers. … Continue reading
New Windshield Patent May Change Auto Glass Repair + Replacement
Four Mexican inventors are changing the direction of automotive windshield breaks. The team, with Ford global technologies in Michigan, has worked on a way to create a defined break for laminated windshields that directs a break outward. Originally they filed … Continue reading
First Finalist Named for Free Truck! Six Chances Remain!
The first finalist for the free truck giveaway at Auto Glass Week™ has been announced. Bill Tiedje of Mike’s Auto Glass in Ft. Myers, Fla., was selected randomly and has earned the first finalist key and the opportunity to open … Continue reading
U.S. Imposes 10 Percent Tariff on Certain Auto Glass Imported From China
Chinese materials used in the auto glass and glazing industries will be subject to a 10 percent tariff effective September 24, 2018. The Trump Administration announced a finalized list of $200 billion worth of tariffs on Chinese goods Monday. Starting … Continue reading
More Workers Join Lawsuit Against Fuyao
The ongoing battle between workers and Fuyao Glass America continues with more being added to its lawsuit filed in March earlier this year. The Moraine, Ohio, glass manufacturer initially came under fire for allegedly not compensating its workers for their … Continue reading
Pilkington Distributes Following Hurricane Florence
Auto glass shops in the Carolinas braced for hurricane Florence’s impact last week. And at least one distributor is back to business. Pilkington has several locations that span across the affected region, and its representatives say only a few areas … Continue reading
Small Business Representatives Speak out to Legislators
Recently Mark Liston, Glass Doctor president, and a blogger for glassBYTEs, made his annual trip to Washington D.C., where he was joined by more than 400 people who were also representing small businesses. The main purpose of the trip is … Continue reading
PPI: Auto Glass Material Prices on a Steady Upward Incline
Prices for almost all materials used in the auto glass industry generally got better in August 2018, according to recently released Producer Price Index (PPI) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The monthly PPI for specialty glass, which … Continue reading
Surviving Hurricane Florence – Tips Shops Should Know
Hurricane Florence is quickly approaching the Carolina coasts, and many auto glass shops have started preparing. North Carolina’s Governor, Roy Cooper, issued an executive order for a state of emergency late last week, following more news on the tropical storm. … Continue reading
Pilkington Suing For Damages Following Tornado
Pilkington North America Inc. (Pilkington) recently went to court claiming its insurer, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company of America (MSI), failed to inform the glass company about a change to its policy in a timely manner. In addition to the company’s … Continue reading
Belron Half Year Results Provide Interesting Nuggets
D’Ietern’s half yearly results, released on August 30, included all the usual financial reports and ratios you would expect from a large international company. D’Iteren owns Belron, the parent company of Safelite Autoglass. There were some interesting nuggets of information … Continue reading
Auto Glass Businesses Boom From Driver Accident Rates
It’s no surprise that the more your customers drive, the higher their chances are for getting into a car accident. Vehicle advancements and new technology being added into newer vehicles can distract the driver away from the road. This doesn’t … Continue reading
Win the Truck! Pre-Register Today Before Midnight to Increase Your Chances to Win
Register online by midnight tonight for Auto Glass Week™ and increase your entries to win a free truck! All eligible* registrants who pre-register by September 7, 2018 will receive two additional chances to win a free truck. These two are … Continue reading
Corning Sees Profits in Auto Glass for Q2
Corning Inc. had drastic growth in its auto glass and other glass avenues for its second quarter, according to the company’s financial report. The company even stated its results thus far for 2018 have surpassed their expectations. Its environmental sales … Continue reading
Belron Seeing an Upswing For Half of 2018
Belron has grown for the first half of 2018, according to the company’s first half financial reports released last week. Its combined sales reached $2,274.95 million, up by 8.3 percent. The company’s consolidated result before taxes jumped nearly 6 percent, … Continue reading
Win a Free Truck! Pre-Register by Friday, Sept. 7 to Increase Your Chances to Win
Register online by the Friday, September 7 pre-registration deadline for Auto Glass Week™ and increase your entries to win a free truck! Continue reading
$4 Million Ruling Against Ford Motor Company
The seven year-long legal battle concerning alleged defective glass between Ford Motor Company and Jose Leos-Ortiz has finally ended. In 2009 Leos-Ortiz was injured when his 1999 Ford Explorer rolled over on a Texas highway. Ford lost the civil product … Continue reading
Auto Glass Week™ is Truly a Global Event with 19 Countries Attending
Attendees are coming from all over the world for this year’s Auto Glass Week™ to be held September 27-29 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. Continue reading
A Proposed Tariff of 25% May Affect Auto Glass
The United States Government has proposed several tariffs that would affect the automotive industry, including windshields. The proposed tariff located in Docket No. USTR-2018-0026 has sparked a general concern from many automotive glass businesses. If passed, there would be a … Continue reading
Finalists for First-Ever Calibration Competition Announced
The four finalists for the inaugural Auto Glass Technician Calibration Competition to be held at Auto Glass Week™ 2018 have been announced. They come from all over the United States, including Arizona, Kentucky, South Carolina and Idaho. Continue reading
Half-Year Results Show Increase for D’Ieteren
D’Ieteren has seen consistent growth for the first half of 2018, according to the company’s second half financial reports released today. It’s adjusted result before tax group’s share increased by 17.8 percent. The company’s adjusted result before tax, group’s share … Continue reading
Road Repair – A Dire Need
It’s no surprise that poor roadway conditions can increase a driver’s chance of getting into an accident. The higher the likelihood of an accident can result in a higher demand from auto glass shops for repairs and replacements. There are … Continue reading
PGW Changes Its Policy Regarding Damaged Auto Glass
Pittsburgh Glass Works (PGW) has revised its auto glass return policy. It was made effective last week and states that its customers now have a 24 hour window to report any damaged auto glass delivered during the night in order … Continue reading
NSG Coming to GMC and Chevy Models
Nippon Sheet Glass (NSG) Group’s windshield head-up display (HUD) technology will be included in the 2019 GMC Sierra and 2019 Chevrolet Silverado models. Both vehicles will now have a 3 inch by 7 inch multi-color HUD. According to the company, … Continue reading
Pumping the Breaks on June Roadway Travel
Updated travel numbers show the amount of miles driven increased in June. All road and street travel went up by 0.3 percent, or 0.9 billion vehicle miles, compared to June 2017, according to the Federal Highway Administration’s most recent numbers. … Continue reading
Organization Introduces Students to Skilled Trades
As the labor shortage continues to hinder hiring for many companies across the U.S., including auto glass, employers are looking at ways to increase interest and knowledge of skilled trades in schools. WorkingNation, a national non-profit campaign, has released a … Continue reading
Safelite Restructures Sales Team
Safelite Autoglass has restructured its sales efforts with the elimination of one type of position and the introduction of three new ones. “On Friday, we announced the elimination of the Area Sales Manager (ASM) position,” said Tom Feeney, president and … Continue reading
Feeney: Reports on My Demise are False
Tom Feeney thinks he and Mark Twain have something in common. The Safelite CEO echoes one of the Midwest’s most prolific writers, saying that reports of his demise have been greatly exaggerated. In a wide-ranging interview with glassBYTEs.com/AGRR magazine on … Continue reading
VIN Lookups Part 2
Every auto glass shop owner and technician know the importance of getting and having the correct glass parts for a customer’s vehicle. Vehicle identification numbers (VIN) help prevent some confusion, each VIN has 17 digits and gives auto glass technicians … Continue reading
55 Years and Counting for Smiley’s
Smiley’s Glass is still going strong in Richmond, Va., after more than 55 years. The family- owned company started with patriarch, Warren Smiley. According to his daughter, the current owner, he noticed there weren’t mobile auto glass repair and replacement … Continue reading
Belron’s Ten Week Startup Program
Three startups were featured in Belron’s Drive With Belron program in hopes of gaining future investments. Belron teamed up with L Marks for this project and have a combined total of $227,341 to invest in the startups. At the end … Continue reading
NHTSA Issues Two Recalls to Keep an Eye Out For
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a recall related to a loss of driver visibility in some Karma Revero and Volkswagen vehicles. Loss of visibility was shown in two models: 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, and the 2018 Karma … Continue reading
Flying with Glass Walls and Floors
Flying just got a little more luxurious, thanks to glass floors and walls installed in the UK’s Airlander 10 aircraft. Though the aircraft has a rounder style when compared to the traditional American style, it doesn’t sacrifice on the total … Continue reading
East Deer Fire at Glass Plant
Flames broke out behind the Pittsburgh Glass Works (PGW) Creighton plant in East Deer, Pa., last Thursday night. According to a Trib Live report, pockets of smoke could be seen coming through the ground behind the plant the next morning. … Continue reading
The Boyd Group Grows in Second Quarter
The Boyd Group Income Fund has had growth in its 2018 second quarter, according to reports for its three and six month periods which were made public today. The Boyd Group Income Fund, owned by Boyd, is currently in its … Continue reading
PPI: Prices for Several Auto Glass Materials Mostly Increase in July
Prices for almost all materials used in the auto glass industry generally increased in July 2018, according to recently released Producer Price Index (PPI) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The monthly PPI for specialty glass, which includes … Continue reading
VIN Look Ups
The Vehicle identification number (VIN) can provide a variety of information on a person’s vehicle, which of course includes the type of auto glass. While the 17 digit VIN gives an auto glass technician some knowledge on the vehicle, it’s … Continue reading
Fuyao in the Spotlight Again for Auto Worker Treatment
Fuyao Glass America has been issued a subpoena regarding its alleged treatment of certain employees. The company is under investigation for whether or not the company terminated some of its employees because they were in support of the United Auto … Continue reading
AOB Still an Issue in Florida
State Farm recently filed a lawsuit in Florida arguing against the state Office of Insurance Regulation’s (OIR) requests for public record information required by the state. Many of the records involved assignment of benefits (AOB) and insurance claims. State Farm … Continue reading
National Windscreens Collaborates with Fix Auto UK
National Windscreens recently teamed up with Fix Auto UK. One key benefit from the collaboration is that National Windscreens is now able to give its repairers immediate advance driver-assistance systems (ADAS) calibration system access. The ADAS access follows National Windscreens … Continue reading
Top 5 Hurricane Storm Damage Risk States
Hurricanes are best known for the damage it leaves behind. High winds can move large bodies of water which can create storm surges, flooding and tsunami like conditions across the country. And some states are left with numerous destroyed vehicles … Continue reading
Prius Owners Bring Lawsuit against Toyota – Claiming Defective Windshields
Several Toyota Prius owners filed a lawsuit against the car company claiming to have defective windshields. According to the vehicle owners’ complaint, Prius windshields from 2016 and 2017 randomly crack and break without being in hazardous conditions. According to the … Continue reading
Sika Has Record Sales and Overall Growth
Sika’s sales growth percentage reached the double digits in 2018 so far. According to the company’s latest financial report, it has seen a 13.9 percent growth in sales within the first half of 2018. Meanwhile, the company has also seen … Continue reading
New Distribution Center for Fuyao
Fuyao Glass Industry Group recently confirmed the company’s plans to purchase land for a new distribution center to be located in Moraine, Ohio. Fuyao is a Chinese auto glass maker and one of the largest glass manufacturers in the Dayton, … Continue reading
How Auto Insurance Agencies Ranked in National Underwriter’s Top 100
National Underwriter Property & Casualty magazine, ranked the top performing companies in its July 2018 issue, a few of which are related to the auto insurance companies. The companies were ranked by the amount of net premiums written. Four were … Continue reading
LKQ Corporation Records High Earnings for Second Quarter
LKQ Corporation, parent company of PGW Auto Glass, had an outstanding second quarter, according to its latest financial results released today. The company reported record revenue growth with an increase of 23.3 percent, which is an increase of 3.03 billion … Continue reading
Three Companies Receive DOT Numbers
The Department of Transportation recently awarded three DOT numbers to two international automotive glass companies and one U.S.-based automotive company. eNow Energy, based in Warwick, RI, received DOT number 1101. The company, debuted in 2011 and focused on the trucking … Continue reading
Xinyi Still Hopeful for New Guelph/Eramosa Glass Plant
Representatives for Xinyi Canada say they are still committed to starting a new float glass plant in the Guelph/Eramosa area despite the results of last week’s council meeting. The company aims to create its proposed 2 million square foot facility … Continue reading
China Auto Glass Production Facility Gets Corning Investment
Corning continues to grow in China, as evidenced by investment in a facility there that will be fully operational sometime in 2019. The company announced, in a press release earlier this month, its plans to invest in an existing production … Continue reading
Keith Beveridge’s New Venture
After spending three decades in the auto glass industry, former Novus senior vice president Keith Beveridge saw a new business venture and went after it. He was attracted to a growing industry, where anyone can participate and that also allows … Continue reading
Roadway Travel on an Upswing in May
With summer in full swing more people are out on the road, and updated travel numbers show the amount of miles driven increased in May. All road and street travel had spikes, increasing by 0.8 percent, or 2.2 billion vehicle … Continue reading
New Program to Support Women in Auto Glass
GlasWeld launched a new program focusing on repair and designed specifically for women in the auto glass industry earlier this month. #WomenRockRepair is a new program that offers advanced hands on training, mentoring, and business coaching. The program is open … Continue reading
Canadian Township Rejects Xinyi Glass Plant Application
Xinyi Canada’s plans to build a new glass plant in the Guelph/Eramosa area in Ontario, Canada, came to a halt after last night’s council meeting. Members of the community flooded the meeting space with several left to stand in the … Continue reading
Recalls to Know About
The National Highway Travel Safety Administration released a series of recalls Saturday that shop owners, managers, and auto glass installers, should keep on their radar. The issues stem around loss of visibility for drivers and cases of obstructed view in … Continue reading
Rhode Island Bill That Excludes Auto Glass Becomes Law
Rhode Island has a new law that focuses on aftermarket parts for newer vehicles. The law “provides that insurance companies may not mandate the use of aftermarket parts without the owner’s consent on motor vehicles less than 48 months beyond manufacture … Continue reading
PPI: Prices for Many Auto Glass Materials Increase in June
Prices for almost all materials used in the auto glass industry increased in June, according to recently released Producer Price Index (PPI) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The monthly PPI for specialty glass, which includes auto glass, … Continue reading
A Massachusetts Bill is under Review Again
A Massachusetts House bill concerning motor vehicle service contracts is under review again. The bill, number 190, was introduced to the House of Representatives in January 2017. It added several definitions to its motor vehicle service contracts section. From there, … Continue reading
Debate Over Guelph/Eramosa Glass Plant
Xinyi Canada aims to bring a new glass plant to the Guelph and Eramosa area in Ontario but not everyone thinks it’s a good idea. In fact, some residents have expressed their concerns against the new glass plant with letters … Continue reading
Florida Lawsuits Decrease for Auto Glass Repair Insurance
Auto glass lawsuits which had increased from 2006 to 2016, are starting to decline in Florida. “In 2006 approximately 400 auto glass assignment of benefit (AOB) lawsuits were filed against auto insurers. In 2016, nearly 20,000 lawsuits were filed,” Florida … Continue reading
Auto Glass Week™ 2018 Announces Educational Program
The full conference program and schedule for Auto Glass Week™ 2018 is now available. Click here to see the entire educational program and attendee brochure and register now to start planning your Auto Glass Week™ experience.
Roadway Travel Declines Slightly in April
With Independence Day right around the corner, updated travel numbers show the amount of miles driven decreased slightly in April. All road and street travel had a minor reduction, decreasing by 0.2 percent, or 0.5 billion vehicle miles, compared to … Continue reading
King Moves Past The Senate In Hopes Of Becoming The Next NHTSA Leader
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been without an official leader since Mark Rosekind stepped down from the position just before President Trump’s inauguration in January of 2017. Heidi King aims to change that by becoming the administration’s … Continue reading
CARCO Adds Windshield Damage Inspections To Fight Fraud
CARCO is adding windshield damage inspection addition at its Florida Site Network. The goal is to identify and prevent fraudulent windshield damage claims from being filed with insurance companies. The new addition aims to help both insured Floridians and insurance … Continue reading
Rhode Island OEM Bill Heads to Governor, Excludes Auto Glass
A Rhode Island bill that prohibits insurance companies from mandating the use of aftermarket parts on newer vehicles is on its way to Gov. Gina Raimondo. However, the latest, substituted version of the bill passed by both the state’s House … Continue reading
Honda Aftermarket Parts Might Affect ADAS Features for Models
Aftermarket parts are commonly used in many auto glass repair shops, but some parts could affect how Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), features work, according to Honda. A recently revised statement from Honda showed possible issues for its drivers if … Continue reading
StrategicClaim Acquires Harmon Solutions Group
StrategicClaim and Harmon Solutions Group (HSG) are joining together to form one company. StrategicClaim has been known for being a leader in providing first notice and resolution services and software to property and casualty (P&C) insurance companies. While HSG provides … Continue reading
Man Says His ADAS Camera Sent Him Into Traffic after Windshield Replacement
A Nova Scotia man is working to raise awareness that the replacement of windshields in cars with ADAS may require camera recalibration. He says the shop that replaced his windshield did not do enough to make the safety hazards of … Continue reading
Colorado Communities Respond To Recent Hail Storm
Last week, Colorado’s hail storm left many with broken windshields. At that time, glassBYTEs.com™ wrote about how slammed the local auto glass repair shops were, but now the community is helping in a different way. The city of Fountain’s police … Continue reading
A Bill Could Affect Vehicle Replacement Parts in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island House Corporations Committee recently recommended that a bill related to aftermarket parts be passed. House Bill 8013 outlines time limits for using aftermarket auto body parts and changes the customer notification process for the intent of using … Continue reading
Latest Schedule Proposed In Campfield vs. Safelite Suit
The plaintiff attorneys in the Richard Campfield vs. Safelite lawsuit submitted a revised schedule for U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Watson to consider earlier this month. Defense attorneys representing Safelite, agree with the proposed revision. Campfield, founder of Ultra … Continue reading
Recent Hail Storm Gives Colorado Auto Glass Repair Shops Business
Wednesday’s hail storm left Colorado auto glass companies picking up the pieces, literally. Many car owners were met with broken windshields and windows following the storm. But when a storm so severe hits a large portion of a state at … Continue reading
A New Law Will Change How Louisiana Provides Auto Coverage
A new Louisiana law affects the automotive industry. Formerly known as bill 522, this newly made law will change the way automotive business is done in Louisiana. It elaborates on the wording regarding motor vehicle service contracts, and includes “the … Continue reading
Auto Glass Material Prices Maintain
Prices for almost all materials used in the auto glass industry either maintained or slightly decreased in May, according to recently released Producer Price Index (PPI) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The monthly PPI for specialty glass, … Continue reading
New York Bill Aims To Make Auto Glass Replacements Consistent
A bill has been introduced to the assembly that will effect New Yorkers in the auto glass replacement industry. The proposed bill, number A01965, outlines safety guidelines to be followed and also provides definitions to ensure general safety. The bill … Continue reading
B.C. Shop Owners Adjust To Latest ICBC Change
The Insurance Company of British Columbia’s (ICBC’s) most recent policy change affects the way glass suppliers are reimbursed for moulding and windshield replacements. The changes became effective June 4, 2018. Windshield replacement costs were a main factor in the change … Continue reading
How the Auto Glass Industry Stacks Up In The Fortune 500
Fortune 500 magazine, ranked the biggest American companies in its June 2018 issue, a few of which are related to the auto glass and insurance industries. Three were in the top 100: State Farm Insurance landed the 36th spot earning … Continue reading
State Farm Auto Lawsuits Still a Hot Topic in Florida
Usually when a car accident leads to a windshield replacement, the victim contacts his or her insurance provider. From there, he or she goes through a series of steps in order to get their vehicle back on the road. Recently, … Continue reading
Getting Paid: How Auto Glass Shops are Finding Success
In the upcoming May-June issue, AGRR magazine concludes its series on getting paid with stories of auto glass shops that are finding success as “individuals,” while getting paid direct. “We are not members of any network,” says Michael Franklin, co-owner … Continue reading
Dwyer Group Acquired by Harvest Partners
Dwyer Group Acquired by Harvest Partners Dwyer Franchising, LLC (Dwyer Group) announced it has been acquired by Harvest Partners, LP, a New York-based private equity firm. The deal marks the fourth and largest private equity transaction of Dwyer Group in … Continue reading
Hyundai Genesis Recall Affects Windshield and Rear Window
Hyundai Genesis owners have a new recall to keep an eye out for. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released certain 2018 G80 and G90 models earlier last month, with recalls expected to start June 30, 2018. The bonding strength … Continue reading
Multiple Crashes Steer Drivers Away From Self-Driving Cars
For more than a century, cars have given drivers access to go anywhere they choose. And for decades there have been improvements in style, design and safety. These changes have helped give car buyers more options when looking for their … Continue reading
Belron Reports Increased Sales in First Quarter Trading Update
Belron’s sales rose 4.1 percent in 2018’s first-quarter trading update, the company reported this week. That figure represents a 9.6 percent organic increase. The company said its consumer base also grew to 4.2 million served. That’s an increase of 7.2 … Continue reading
Technology Helps Shape Insurance Customer Service
Technology has redefined how and where we get information. But it also plays a large role in what insurance customer service looks like today. Mitchell International’s 2017 Third Quarter Industry Trends Report, looks into the new normal and what that … Continue reading
Road Travel Continued Increasing in March
As drivers are set to hit the road today for the long holiday weekend, the latest travel numbers show that the amount of miles driven continues to increase. All road and street travel marginally increased in March 2018, increasing 0.5 … Continue reading
Bills Move Forward in Three States
Auto glass retailers based in Louisiana, New York and Minnesota will want to be made aware of legislative movement happening in those states pertaining to auto glass. Louisiana The Louisiana Senate’s passed bill that “moves the regulation of motor vehicle … Continue reading
PPI: Auto Glass Material Prices Continue to Rise
Prices for nearly all materials used in the auto glass industry increased in April, according to recently released Producer Price Index (PPI) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The monthly PPI for specialty glass, which includes auto glass, … Continue reading
The EU’s Data Protection Regulation Goes into Effect May 25
Companies that do business in the European Union over the Internet will be required to meet requirements specified by the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which goes into effect Friday, May 25, 2018. The data privacy law is meant … Continue reading
Automotive Revenue and Profits Up for NSG Group in FY 2018
NSG Group has released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Annual Consolidated Financial Results from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018. The company saw an increase in both overall revenue and operating profit from FY 2017 to FY 2018. The … Continue reading
Belle Tire to Pay $342,000 in Back Wages After Department of Labor Investigation
Belle Tire has agreed to pay $342,926 in back wages to 1,207 employees at 100 locations in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio after a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation, according a press release from the … Continue reading
Rhode Island Legislature Considers OEM Parts Bill
The Rhode Island House of Representatives currently is considering a bill that provides that “insurance companies may not mandate the use of aftermarket parts without the owner’s consent on motor vehicles less than 48 months beyond manufacture date.” Previously, the … Continue reading
OEMs Share Their Views at Automotive Glazing Event
Representatives of some OEMS shared their views on a variety of auto glass issues yesterday with attendees of Automotive Glazing USA, part of the 4th International CTI Conference. A few representatives mentioned that many regulations in place today are not functional … Continue reading
Rochester OE Meeting Discusses the Industry’s Future—and a Look at Data Involving Glass Claims
Representatives from various segments of the auto glazing industry, including OEM’S, continue their meetings today in Rochester Hills, Mich., as part of the 4th International CTI Conference. One of the many events taking place is the two-day Automotive Glazing USA event. … Continue reading
Glazing Conference Tackles ADAS and Calibration
Detroit is known as an automotive hub and that is more true than ever this week as CTI International brought its 4th International CTI Conference to the area. AGRR magazine is here to report on the two-day Automotive Glazing USA … Continue reading
Industry Legislation Progresses in Oklahoma, Ohio and Louisiana
As the legislative season continues in state capitols around the country, several bills related to the auto glass industry have progressed in recent days. Oklahoma Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has signed legislation related to service warranties into law. The bill, … Continue reading
Colorado Senate and House Vote to Concur on Warranty Bill
The Colorado House and Senate recently voted to concur on a bill designed to “require motor vehicle manufacturers to fulfill warranty obligations.” “A manufacturer must compensate each of its motor vehicle dealers in accordance with a set of standards designed to … Continue reading
Auto Glass Shop Assists in Hit-and-Run Investigation
A windshield-replacement job brought the unusual resolution to a hit-and-run investigation in New Hampshire last month. Police in Dover, N.H., arrested Bruce Bernier, 61, of Newmarket, in connection with a hit-and-run incident April 2. According to police reports, a black … Continue reading
Oklahoma Service Warranty Bill Heads to Governor
An Oklahoma bill related to service warranties has been passed by both the House and Senate and is now headed to Gov. Mary Fallin for her signature. The bill, SB 1142, relates to “service warranties; amending [the sections of the … Continue reading
Repair Acquisition Methods Back in the News in Florida
Those labeled as “door-to-door windshield-repair marketers” are in the news again after consumer posts on social media sparked concerns about the potential of identity theft. HelloSWFL.com recently ran a story titled “Watch Out! Beware Wandering Windshield Repairmen” warning consumers of … Continue reading
JN Phillips Auto Glass Acquires Car Glass of New England
JN Phillips Auto Glass announced today that it has acquired Car Glass of New England, furthering its growth in the Northern New England market. The acquisition also strengthens the company’s presence in the Southern New Hampshire market, and is part … Continue reading
Belron Says 2017 Was Extraordinary in Annual Report
Belron released its 2017 annual report and Gary Lubner, CEO, reported several achievements. Among them was the fact that the company extended its services into home repair, added a new shareholder and expanded the company’s Safelite Solutions program. The report … Continue reading
Colorado Legislature Considers Bill Related to Warranties
The Colorado Senate currently is considering a bill that is designed to “require motor vehicle manufacturers to fulfill warranty obligations.” “A manufacturer must compensate each of its motor vehicle dealers in accordance with a set of standards designed to reflect … Continue reading
LKQ Corp. Revenue Increases 16 Percent
LKQ Corp., parent company of PGW Auto Glass, reports that revenue grew 16.1 percent to 2.72 billion in the first quarter of 2018. For the first quarter, parts and services organic revenue growth was 3.7% and acquisition revenue growth was … Continue reading
Missouri Rep. Seeks to Abolish Vehicle Safety Inspections in State
The Missouri legislature currently is considering a bill that would “repeal the requirement that all motor vehicles must obtain an inspection before the vehicle may be licensed.” The bill, HB 1444, was introduced by Rep. J. Eggleston in January. The … Continue reading
AGC Notifies NHTSA of Improperly Marked Rear Privacy Glass; Asks for Exemption from Recall
AGC Glass Company North America has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that “certain rear privacy glass manufactured as replacement glass for certain model year (MY) 2013-2017 Jeep Compass motor vehicles does not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle … Continue reading
Arizona Auto Glass Bills Fail to Make it Out of Committee
Two bills related to the auto glass industry died recently in the Arizona legislature. Arizona S.B. 1155, which was introduced in mid-January by Sen. Sylvia Allen, aimed to strengthen the state’s current anti-steering laws and require timely inspections of glass … Continue reading
Tax Reform Success Leads to Trip to D.C. for One Auto Glass Owner
Larry Patterson, owner, Glass Doctor of Dallas Metroplex, says he was pretty shocked when he received an invitation to the White House, a visit he happily made last week. Patterson was invited as part of a group of business owners … Continue reading
Review of Minnesota Department of Commerce Complete
The Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor has published its special review regarding the Minnesota Department of Commerce: Investigation of Auto Glass Insurance Processing by Safelite Solutions LLC. More than a year ago, in March 2017, Minnesota lawmakers Rep. Kelly … Continue reading
Fuyao Reports on 2017 Successes and Challenges for Future
Fuyao Glass Industry Group released its 2017 annual report recently, which unveiled some interesting insights into the efficiencies of this global glass maker. In the report, the company identified its core competitiveness, successes and challenges for the future. When analyzing … Continue reading
Auto Glass Company Investigated for Door-to-Door Marketing Tactics
An auto glass company based in Tampa, Fla., is under scrutiny after an Orlando television station investigated the door-to-door tactics marketing its services. DNS Auto Glass was the subject of WFTV9’s recent report on consumer complaints of high-pressure sales pitches … Continue reading
PPI: Prices Continue Up for Materials in Auto Glass
Prices for most materials used in the auto glass industry increased in March, according to recently released Producer Price Index (PPI) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The monthly PPI for specialty glass, which includes auto glass, in … Continue reading
AGSC to Hold Networking Event in Massachusetts Later This Month
The Auto Glass Safety Council™ (AGSC) will hold a networking event in South Attleboro, Mass., on April 25. The event, which will be held at AAA South Attleboro, is open to current and prospective members. AGSC plans to share its … Continue reading
January Miles Driven Increases Over 2017
Travel on all roads and streets increased slightly in January 2018, increasing .4 percent, or .9 billion vehicle miles, compared to January 2017, according to the latest figures from the Federal Highway Administration. Month-over-month miles driven decreased by 0.8 percent … Continue reading
New Hampshire Legislature Plans to Study Insurance Reimbursement Rates
Both the New Hampshire House of Representatives and Senate have adopted a bill aimed to “establish a committee to study reimbursement rates under automobile policies.” The bill originally was introduced in January but has been amended greatly since introduction. The … Continue reading
Accident Raises Questions Regarding Repair Techniques
What was supposed to be an everyday windshield-repair job instead made headlines late last month when the car being repaired caught fire — along with the car next to it. Firefighters in Redding, Calif., were dispatched around noon March 27 … Continue reading
Tariff Tiff Escalates Between China and the U.S.
Last week, the tariff conflict between China and the U.S. escalated, with the U.S. declaring that it intends to hit 1,300 more Chinese products with 25 percent tariffs. Soon after, China retaliated, announcing plans to impose 25-percent tariffs on 106 … Continue reading
Glass Doctor Recognizes Top Performers at Annual Conference
Texas-based Glass Doctor recently held its annual conference in Dallas, where it recognized its top performing employees from its franchisees across the country for their noteworthy performances throughout the year. Ashley Bosserman, an employee of Glass Doctor of Shenandoah Valley … Continue reading
Florida Bills Requiring Windshield Inspections Die
Two bills introduced in the Florida state legislature that would have required an inspection of a windshield’s damage by an insurer before it’s repaired or replaced weren’t voted on in the current 60-day session, which ended on March 9. In … Continue reading
Key Media & Research Wins 11 ASBPE Awards: 1 for AGRR™
AGRR™ magazine was awarded an American Society of Business Publication Editors’ (ASBPE) award for the Mid-Atlantic region on Wednesday at a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. Contributing editor Drew Vass received a regional bronze award in the Best Impact/Investigative category … Continue reading
Uniban Canada and PH Vitres d’Autos Partner with Equity Firm for U.S. Expansion
Uniban Canada and P.H. Vitres D’autos Inc. have their sights set on entering the U.S. auto glass repair and replacement market as a part of their expansion strategy. The Canadian companies have forged a partnership with the Charlotte, N.C.-based private … Continue reading
State Farm Responds to Claims of Influencing Non-OEM Auto Repair
A jury recently found Texas-based John Eagle Collision Center liable for injuries sustained by Matthew and Marcia Seebachan following a 2013 crash because a repair was not done according to OEM specifications, according to the verdict. Now, State Farm is … Continue reading
Several Foreign and Domestic Companies Receive DOT Numbers
The Department of Transportation recently awarded seven DOT numbers to several international automotive glass companies and two U.S.-based automotive supplies company. Diamond Glass S.A de C.V, based in Ecatepec de Morelos, Mexico, received DOT number 1094. The company, which was … Continue reading
Ultra Bond Urges Judge Not to Dismiss Case Against Safelite
The attorneys for Richard Campfield, founder of Ultra Bond in Grand Junction, Colo., urged an Ohio judge not to dismiss his amended complaint against Safelite, according to a recently filed court document. Campfield is suing the company for allegedly utilizing … Continue reading
Access Insurance Company Ordered Into Liquidation
A Texas district court judge has issued an order of liquidation of Access Insurance Company, an auto insurer incorporated in Texas but headquartered in Atlanta, after the Texas Insurance Department found the insurer unable to pay off its debts. The … Continue reading
Lawsuit Against Fuyao Glass America for Unpaid Wages Continues to Grow
Bad news keeps rolling in for Fuyao Glass America (FGA). Since the beginning of March, 222 current or former employees have requested to join the lawsuit against the company for alleged unpaid overtime wages and rounding policy. Lead plaintiff Julia … Continue reading
Independent Agent Study Ranks Insurance Carriers
In its inaugural independent agent study, National Underwriter, in conjunction with the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA), polled U.S. property and casualty insurance agents to provide insight into the business, including their most highly-rated carrier partners. So what … Continue reading
Report: Most Workplaces Haven’t Electronically Filed OSHA Data
In May 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a controversial new rule that requires employers in high-hazard industries, including manufacturing, to send injury and illness data to OSHA electronically every year. Enforcement began in late 2017, but a new report says most companies haven’t bothered to file the forms. Continue reading
U.S. Business Associations Oppose Tariffs
A lengthy list of U.S. business associations and groups, including several related to the auto parts industry, have sent a letter to the current administration opposing the imposition of tariffs. They contend these tariffs could potentially harm the U.S. economy and its global competitiveness, according to the letter. Continue reading
Several Former Technicians Join Lawsuit Against Safelite
Three additional former Safelite technicians have joined the July 2017 lawsuit against the company for alleged unpaid wages due to the company’s purported “Forty-Hour Plan.” The plaintiffs are seeking $500,000 total under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Continue reading
Forklift Accident Results in Death at Fuyao Glass America
The Moraine, Ohio, Police and Fire Divisions were dispatched to Fuyao Glass America early this morning after receiving a report of a forklift accident. The accident resulted in the death of the forklift operator, according to Sergeant Kenneth Lloyd of the Moraine Police Division. Continue reading
Erie Insurance Highlights Safelite in Customer Magazine
In the Fall issue of Eriesense, Erie Insurance highlights its partnership with Safelite Solutions for windshield repairs. Eriesense is the quarterly magazine for policyholders. Continue reading
PPI: Prices Edge Up for Materials in the Auto Glass Industry
Prices for materials used in the auto glass industry increased in February, according to recently released Producer Price Index (PPI) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The monthly PPI for specialty glass, which includes auto glass, in the … Continue reading
Artificial Intelligence Coming to Auto Glass—and Insurance
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is coming to the auto glass and insurance industries. Case in point, Mitchell International is exploring a computer vision application that uses image recognition to confirm repair vs. replace decisions. This is according to the company’s 2017 … Continue reading
Legislation in Louisiana and West Virginia Affects Auto Glass Companies in Those States
A piece of legislation has passed in West Virginia updating safety glass language, while a bill has been pre-filed in Louisiana regarding service contract agreements. Louisiana Rep. Paula Davis has pre-filed a bill that “moves the regulation of motor vehicle … Continue reading
Getting Paid Series: How to Handle Shortpays
For any auto glass shop attempting to bill beyond insurance companies’ network rates, shortpays are an unfortunate reality. In the first part of AGRR’s three-part series on “Getting Paid,” we tackled how to bill insurance companies direct. (If you missed … Continue reading
Build a New Revenue Stream with Sideview Mirrors
Your customer likely doesn’t know you can repair/replace their sideview mirror. They know your store, know your logo and they hum your auto glass replacement jingle, but more often than not, they go to a dealership to fix their broken … Continue reading
Coming Back from Hurricane Harvey
The 2017 hurricane season was one for the books: Harvey in Texas, Irma in Florida and Maria in Puerto Rico—each causing widespread devastation that some areas are still grappling with. Dave Duensing, owner of Texan Glass & Solar Control in … Continue reading
Trial Date Set in Burrows v. Fuyao Glass America Lawsuit
A trial date and timeline of the discovery phase has been set in the case against Fuyao Glass America (FGA). The lawsuit was brought forth by former executive Dave Burrows, who is suing the auto glass manufacturer over his November … Continue reading
Performing Pre- and Post-Scanning In-House
Many modern-day vehicles can have up to 100 modules that need to communicate with one another in order to function properly. This emphasizes the importance of pre- and post-repair scans, according to Duane “Doc” Watson, Bosch technical trainer, who discussed … Continue reading
Indiana Anti-Steering Legislation Hits an Impasse after House Amendments
After clearing the Indiana House floor, Senate Bill 146, which aims to prohibit insurers and related entities from steering, may have hit a temporary stalemate. The state Senate has refused to concur with the amendments added by the House Committee … Continue reading
Nor’easter Leaves Auto Glass Shops Without Power
The powerful nor’easter that raked the East Coast over the weekend killed eight people and left 2 million without power across 17 states and the District of Columbia, leaving many auto glass repair and replacement companies unable to access their … Continue reading
Year-Over-Year Travel in December Slightly Increased
Travel on all roads and streets experienced an uptick in December 2017, increasing .7 percent, or 1.8 billion vehicle miles, compared to December 2016, according to the latest figures from the Federal Highway Administration. Month-over-month miles driven decreased slightly by … Continue reading
J.N. Phillips and Techna Glass Inc. Form One Company
Two of the nation’s top auto glass companies, the Bowrail Group, (parent of J.N. Phillips and StrategicClaim) and Techna Glass Inc. are combining under a new holding company called TruRoad Holdings Inc. The move significantly changes the landscape of the … Continue reading
Belron Net Debt Up, 2018 Outlook
In D’Ieteren’s annual report issued February 28, Belron, parent company to Safelite AutoGlass, reported that its net financial debt increased in 2017 to $1 billion (EUR 1,271.9 million), a 54-percent increase on a year-over-year basis. Belron’s refinancing was complete in … Continue reading
Belron Experienced Strong Sales Growth, Despite a Slow Start for Safelite
Belron’s revenue increased by 5.5 percent in comparison to 2016, despite a mild winter in the United States, which negatively impacted Safelite’s sales in the first quarter, according to D’Ieteren’s 2017 financial report. D’Ieteren, a Belgium-based company, owns Belron, which … Continue reading
Register Online Now for Auto Glass Week™ 2018
Online registration for Auto Glass Week™ 2018 is now open. The international original equipment (OE) and aftermarket auto glass repair and replacement event will be held September 27-29, 2018, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. … Continue reading
Insurance Claims Management Announces New Majority Owners
Dan Wilson, former CEO of Safelite Group, and Paul Gross, former CEO of Insurance Claims Management (ICM), the privately held parent company of HSG and the ProGlass Alliance Network, are now the majority owners of ICM as an investor group. … Continue reading
November Travel Continued Downward Trajectory
Travel on all roads and streets experienced a slight uptick in November 2017, increasing 1.1 percent, or 2.8 billion vehicle miles, compared to November 2016, according to the latest figures from the Federal Highway Administration. Month-over-month miles driven increased slightly … Continue reading
Don Cotton Retires from Auto Glass Industry after 40 Years
Take it from Don Cotton, former owner of The Village Glassmith in Needham, Mass., now retiree, “Sell it, or walk away.” That was Cotton’s last piece of advice to auto glass shop owners, as the industry veteran officially closed-up shop … Continue reading
Judge Dismisses Several Claims in Nissan Sunroof Lawsuit
It’s been more than a year since Nissan North America was hit with a lawsuit claiming certain models have defective panoramic glass sunroofs, which may cause them to explode spontaneously. However, the manufacturer made headway in the case when U.S. … Continue reading
Illinois Bill Aims to Require Customer Consent for Non-OEM Parts
Illinois Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia has introduced an amendment to the state’s Insurance Code and Automotive Collision Repair Act that would prohibit the use of non-OEM aftermarket parts in an auto repair estimate unless the customer provides written consent. The … Continue reading
Arizona Senate Bill Clears First Hurdle
After much discussion, Arizona SB 1155, a bill aimed at strengthening the state’s current anti-steering laws and requiring timely inspections of glass claims, cleared the state’s Senate Committee on Government. “I come here before you today as someone who’s been … Continue reading
Watch: The Latest Technology Unveiled at Detroit Auto Show
Watch: The Latest Technology Unveiled at Detroit Auto Show
SuperGlass Windshield Repair Recognizes Its Top Earners
SuperGlass Windshield Repair, headquartered in Orlando, released its Top 40 Franchises in Sales for 2017, which recognizes the company’s top performers, including international locations. Here are the rankings, according to the company: Rank Location Owner/Operator 2017 Sales 1 Phoenix Quinton … Continue reading
Arizona Auto Shops Prepare to Lobby for Anti-Steering Legislation
Members of the Arizona Auto Glass Association and the Safety Glass Association of Arizona are making final preparations today as they appear before legislators tomorrow to encourage passage of legislation that would prevent steering. The bill, SB 1155, would strengthen … Continue reading
Campfield Files Amended Complaint While Safelite Files Motion to Dismiss
Is the case of Campfield vs. Safelite close to a resolution? Not quite. On February 7, Richard Campfield filed a 60-page amended complaint, including a jury demand, to his original lawsuit filed in August 2015. The next day Safelite filed … Continue reading
Judge Grants Class-Action Status in Fuyao Glass America Lawsuit
A U.S. district judge has granted class-action status to current and former employees of Fuyao Glass America (FGA) in the June 2017 lawsuit against the manufacturer. The plaintiffs are suing the company for unpaid wages, including overtime compensation. The 13 … Continue reading
Hawaii Representative Pushes for Consumer Choice of OEM Parts for Repairs
Hawaii Representative Roy Takumi is pushing to pass a bill that would allow the state’s residents the choice of using OEM parts instead of aftermarket ones. If passed, the bill aims to prohibit insurers from charging policyholders extra fees associated … Continue reading
Auto Glass Groups Meet in San Diego
The boards and committees of the Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC) and the National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA) are holding their Spring meetings in San Diego this week. AGSC’s Education Committee met on Monday and continued with its update of … Continue reading
Mitsubishi Recalls Nearly 57,000 Vehicles for Sunroof Detachment Defect
There’s been a lot of attention on faulty sunroofs lately, and Mitsubishi Motors North America is one of the latest automakers caught in the mix. The company has issued a recall for certain 2007-2010 Outlander, 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Evolution, … Continue reading
Proposed Anti-Steering Amendment Clears Indiana State Senate
An Indiana bill designed to prohibit insurers and related entities from requiring an insured to use a specified auto repair shop has cleared the state Senate and is currently waiting to be heard in the House of Representatives. SB 164, … Continue reading
Pilkington Announces Price Increase for all Auto Glass Products
Due to rising costs of OE-quality automotive products and services, Pilkington NSG announced it was driven to increase the price of all of its auto glass products by 7.5 percent, according to a recent release from the company. In the … Continue reading
More Employees Request to Join Lawsuit Against Fuyao Glass America
The number of current and former employees requesting to join the June 2017 lawsuit against Moraine, Ohio-based Fuyao Glass America (FGA) for alleged unpaid wages continues to grow. Six additional workers have filed a motion to join Julia Staggs as … Continue reading
PGW Auto Glass Acquires Wholesale Division of Mark’s Mobile Glass
PGW Auto Glass, an LKQ company, has acquired the wholesale division of Missouri-based Mark’s Mobile Glass for an undisclosed amount. According to a notice sent by Mark’s Mobile Wholesale Glass division, the acquisition was to allow its wholesale customers to … Continue reading
Florida Insurer Windshield Inspection Bill Clears Another Senate Committee
Florida state Sen. Dorothy Hukill’s proposed amendment to current legislation that would require an insurer’s inspection prior to a windshield repair or replacement cleared another Senate committee hearing. “[Auto glass repair] companies have been lurking in parking lots, waiting by … Continue reading
Proposed Arizona Bill Addresses Auto Glass Repair and Replacement Practices
Arizona state Senator David Farnsworth has introduced an amendment to the state’s current legislation that relates to auto glass repair and replacement practices. More specifically, it addresses how auto insurers and third party administrators (TPAs) should handle auto glass claims. … Continue reading
Ford Recalls Certain Vehicles for Power Window Defect
Ford Motor Company has issued a recall for certain 2018 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The recall is for defective second row power windows that may not automatically reverse if obstructed by an object, increasing the risk of injury. … Continue reading
November Travel on All Roads Surpasses Last Year’s Figures
Travel on all roads and streets experienced a slight uptick in November 2017, increasing 1.1 percent, or 2.8 billion vehicle miles, compared to November 2016, according to the latest figures from the Federal Highway Administration. Month-over-month miles driven dropped marginally … Continue reading
Guest Blog: A Season of Change
Happy New Year! I’m taking over the AGRR™/glassBYTEs.com blog today for a few reasons. First, I want to wish you and your company a very happy, healthy, profitable and peaceful year. And, as with most new years, comes some change. … Continue reading
Florida Independent Auto Glass Shops to Combat Insurer Inspection Bill
Some Florida independent auto glass shops have come together to combat the proposed legislation that’s sitting in the state’s Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism under the auspices of the Florida Independent Glass Association (FIGA), a not-for-profit organization which was … Continue reading
Promoting your Strengths—and Accolades
Small business owners know that promotion is one of the major keys to success. Promote any awards, achievements or certifications in all your marketing channels so your potential customers know you are focused on constant improvement and success. Alfredo Calva … Continue reading
Three Auto Body Trends that May Affect the Glass Industry—Eventually
The practices in the collision repair industry have often served as a bellwether of things to come in the auto glass repair and replacement industry, and three collision trends have been getting a lot of attention lately: 1. Getting paid … Continue reading
What Auto Glass Shops Say about TPAs in Recent Survey
Third-party administrators (TPAs), direct billing, etc.—pretty much anything related to insurance is always a hot topic, and this was the case when AGRR magazine surveyed its readers to see how the large TPAs and insurers stack up. Participants were asked … Continue reading
Iowa Representatives Propose New Bill Concerning Auto Repair Facility Choice
The Iowa House of Representatives has introduced a bill that aims to add a section regarding automobile repair facility choice to the state’s law. However, the bill notes that “automobile repair business or location” does not apply to facilities that … Continue reading
Proposal that Would Require Insurer Windshield Inspections Passes Florida Senate Committee
A proposed amendment to Florida legislation that would require an insurer’s inspection before a windshield is repaired or replaced has been cleared by a Senate committee. The bill, which is identical in language to the House bill proposed by Rep. … Continue reading
Jack Morris of Tenn.-Based Jack Morris Auto Glass Passes Away
John “Jack” Morris III, the man behind Tenn.-based Jack Morris Auto Glass, passed away on Friday at the age of 87. Morris was known throughout his hometown as a civic leader and businessman, always putting the happiness of those around … Continue reading
BMW Hit with Lawsuit Over Alleged Shattering Sunroofs
A lawsuit has been filed against BMW alleging several of the company’s makes and models were designed with defective panoramic sunroofs and moonroofs that are prone to shattering. The lawsuit has been filed in the District of New Jersey and … Continue reading
Going with Direct Billing? Here are a Few Tips from Auto Glass Shop Owners
If you’re looking to go the direct billing route, here are a few more tips and recommendations that could work for you. For more information on the topic, look to the January/February issue of AGRR magazine. 1. There’s an App … Continue reading
Judge Rules in Favor of Geico in VIP Auto Glass Lawsuit
The legal battle between VIP Auto Glass and Geico General Insurance Company has come to an end. Judge Mary S. Scriven dismissed the October 2016 case against the insurer, which claimed the company violated Florida law by underpaying auto glass … Continue reading
Bill Aims to Add Insurer Inspection Prior to Windshield Repair in Florida
The proposed amendment to a current Florida legislation that would require an inspection of a windshield’s damage by an insurer before it is repaired or replaced has now been introduced to the state’s legislature. The proposed amendment reads, “A policy … Continue reading
Exploring Direct Billing as a Viable Payment Option
Over the course of nearly two decades, automotive insurance providers have slowly but surely offloaded their responsibilities to third-party administrators (TPAs)—businesses (or business divisions) set up for the sole purposes of dolling out referrals, making payments and shuffling electronic paperwork … Continue reading
Uptick in Domestic Auto Sales; Vehicle Repair and Insurance Prices Also Increase
Domestic sales for new autos experienced an uptick November to December. According to the latest figures from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), U.S. automotive unit retail sales increased by 6 percent, or 20,900 units, on a month-over-month basis. Year … Continue reading
Update: Proposed New Hampshire Bill Submitted to House Committee
The proposed amendment to a previously pre-filed bill in New Hampshire has been submitted to the House Committee on Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The amendment would require auto insurers to reimburse independent repair shops—including glass companies—similarly to auto dealerships. If … Continue reading
What’s the Cost of Doing Business?
Not getting paid in full for parts, time and labor is easily one of auto glass shops’ biggest grievances when it comes to working with insurers and Third Party Administrators (TPAs). This, at least, is according to a recent survey … Continue reading
Fuyao Glass America and Mr. Cho Respond to Former Exec.’s Complaint
Shortly after having their motion to dismiss denied by a U.S. district court judge, Fuyao Glass America (FGA) and its chairman Cho Tak Wong (Mr. Cho) have officially filed their responses to the complaints made against them by former executive … Continue reading
Honda: Common Repairs Call for Recalibration; Third-Party Tools Not Yet Approved
Even common repairs on a Honda vehicle require a recalibration of its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and, so far, only the auto manufacturer’s tool has been approved for the procedure—something every auto glass technician would be interested in. This … Continue reading
Happy New Year: A Look at the Top Stories of 2017
Before we head into the New Year, let’s have a look at the stories that generated the most traffic on glassBYTEs.com™ throughout 2017. Customer Allegedly Finds Safelite Technician in Compromising Situation This year’s most read story involved a Florida resident … Continue reading
How Auto Glass Companies are Using Social Media during the Holiday Season
The holiday season is upon us, and auto glass companies all over are using this time to interact and engage with their customers through social media. If you’re looking for some holiday inspiration, here’s what others in the industry are … Continue reading
Belron Enters an Agreement to Acquire the Assets and Operations of Laser Group in Australia and New Zealand
In alignment with its service extension strategy, Belron, parent company to Safelite AutoGlass, has entered into an agreement to acquire Laser Plumbing and Electrical Group ANZ (Laser Group). The company is a provider of plumbing and electrical services to both … Continue reading
Senate Autonomous Vehicle Bill Poses Implications for Aftermarket Industry
The American Vision for Safer Transportation through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies (AV START), the autonomous vehicle (AV) bill passed by the Senate in October, may have implications for the automotive aftermarket industry. “The aftermarket’s role in the deployment of level … Continue reading
Comprehensive Tax-Reform Bill Passes Senate
The Senate voted early Wednesday to approve a sweeping tax-reform bill. Because of a procedural error, the House, which had approved the measure earlier this month, will have to re-vote on the bill. It’s expected to be signed later this … Continue reading
How is Your Company Celebrating the Holidays?
Is your company celebrating the holidays in a special way or getting involved in a philanthropic initiative? If so, we’d love to hear from you!
PPI: Prices for Materials Used in the Auto Glass Industry Increased
Prices for materials used in the auto glass industry increased in November, according to recently released Producer Price Index (PPI) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The monthly PPI for specialty glass, which includes auto glass, in the … Continue reading
Judge Denies Fuyao and Chairman’s Motion to Dismiss Former Exec’s Lawsuit
U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Rose has set a pre-trial hearing for the case against Fuyao Glass America and its chairman Cho Tak Wong (Cho), shortly after denying the defendants’ motion to dismiss the lawsuit. Dave Burrows, a former executive … Continue reading
Belron Continues Start-up Accelerator Program
Belron, parent company of Safelite, in partnership with L Marks, announced recently that it plans to run its “Drive with Belron” startup accelerator program for a third year. The program, which accepts applicants from six continents including North America, is … Continue reading
Unsure about Social Media Marketing? Tiny & Sons Offers Advice
In this day and age, having a social media presence can have a significant impact on generating sales leads. Just ask Peter Brown, owner of the auto glass shop Tiny & Sons in Pembroke, Mass., whose Facebook, Twitter and Instagram … Continue reading
Insurer Inspections Costing One Auto Glass Repair Company More than $35 K
Less than a year after its inception, Houston-based Safe Tech Auto Glass implemented a proprietary software system that streamlined every aspect of the business, allowing its technicians to service more vehicles in a day. The company’s six locations, all in … Continue reading
Eleventh Circuit Reversal of Anti-Trust Lawsuit Encourages Progression of Similar Cases
The reinstatement of a lawsuit by five auto repair shops against insurers for violating antitrust laws has spurred more auto shops whose lawsuits have been stagnant since 2015 to follow suit. In September, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals reversed … Continue reading
Auto Glass Companies Ranked Among Top Franchises for Veterans
Entrepreneur released its 2017 Top Franchises for Veterans list recently, which is comprised of 150 franchises that offer incentives to veterans looking to become franchisees, and two auto glass repair and replacement companies were among them. Companies representing the auto … Continue reading
Wisconsin Windshield Repairer on Trial for the Murder of His Wife
Todd Kendhammer, a West Salem, Wis., man who repaired windshields as a side job, is on trial for first degree intentional homicide in La Crosse County Circuit Court for the 2016 death of his wife, Barbara. On September 16, 2016, … Continue reading
PCI Urges Florida Senate to Pass Windshield Inspection Bill
The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) is urging the Florida Senate Banking and Insurance Committee to pass Senate Bill 396, which would require insurers to inspect a damaged windshield prior to it being repaired or replaced—an effort, the … Continue reading
Proposed Florida Bill Aims to Add Insurer Inspection Prior to Windshield Repair
Florida Rep. Rene Plasencia has proposed an amendment to current legislation that would require an inspection of a windshield’s damage by an insurer before it is repaired or replaced. The bill has been pre-filed in the Florida state legislature, and, … Continue reading
Domestic Auto Sales Drop; Vehicle Repair and Insurance Prices Increase
Domestic sales for new autos experienced a decline September to October. According to the latest figures from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), U.S. automotive unit retail sales dropped by 15 percent, or 61,500 units, on a month-over-month basis. Year … Continue reading
LYNX Now Requires Proof of Successful Recalibration
Third party administrator (TPA) LYNX Services, a Solera company, recently sent a notice to some auto glass repair shops and dealerships stating that it will now require documentation of a successful recalibration, which has to be accepted, prior to payment … Continue reading
September’s Miles Driven Drops Month-Over-Month
Travel on all roads and streets increased slightly in September 2017, increasing .3 percent, or .8 billion vehicle miles, compared to September 2016, according to the latest figures from the Federal Highway Administration. Month-over-month miles driven decreased by 7.3 percent. … Continue reading
Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Sign Definitive Agreement with D’Ieteren
D’Ieteren announced it has signed a definitive agreement with Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) regarding a partnership investment in Belron, parent company of Safelite AutoGlass. Under the agreement, CD&R will acquire 40-percent ownership interest in the Belron group, and D’Ieteren … Continue reading
SNL Removes All Traces of Safelite Parody in Episode Reruns
Saturday Night Live (SNL) re-ran its controversial October 7th show, which featured a parody of Safelite AutoGlass’s television ads, over the Thanksgiving weekend. However, the Safelite spoof was removed from the airing and replaced with another skit. The original skit … Continue reading
Auto Glass Companies Look Forward to Family Time this Thanksgiving
While most auto glass repair and replacement companies will likely be closed Thanksgiving day, several have opted to let their employees choose whether or not to take off Black Friday. Jeremy Driscoll, owner of JRD Auto Glass in Austin, Texas, … Continue reading
Mitsubishi Motors North America Recalls More Than 83,000 Vehicles
Mitsubishi Motors North America has issued a recall for certain 2014-2018 Mirage vehicles. The recall is for defective airbags which may not deploy as designed in the event of an accident. The company issued the recall on October 30, and … Continue reading
Thanksgiving Set to See Highest Travel Volume in 12 Years
This Thanksgiving is on track to see the highest volume of travel since 2005, with an estimated 50.9 million Americans traveling at least 50 miles away from their home, according to AAA. That’s 1.6 million more travelers compared to last … Continue reading
Volkswagen Recalls Tiguan for Insufficient Back-Up Lighting
Volkswagen Group of America has issued a recall for certain 2018 Tiguan vehicles. The recall is for the vehicle’s back-up lights which may not be bright enough, increasing the risk of an accident. The company issued the recall on October … Continue reading
PPI: Auto Glass Prices Rise as Year Nears End
Prices for materials used in the auto glass industry increased notably in October after months of stagnation, according to recently released Producer Price Index (PPI) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The monthly PPI for specialty glass, which … Continue reading
PGW’s Oldest Auto Glass Plant Will Shut Down in June 2018
Following a month of uncertainty, Pittsburgh Glass Works (PGW) officially announced it will close its oldest auto glass manufacturing plant in Creighton, Pa. The phased close-out of production at the facility is anticipated to take place in June 2018. In … Continue reading
Proposed New Hampshire Bill Aims to Reform Auto Glass Repair Reimbursement
A proposed amendment to current legislation has been submitted to the New Hampshire state legislature that would require auto insurers to reimburse independent repair shops—including glass companies—similarly to auto dealerships. If passed, the law could have implications for the auto … Continue reading
The Two Components of Assignment of Benefits
Assignment of benefits (AOBs) has been a controversial topic recently, as insurers allege some auto glass shops, primarily in Florida and Arizona as well as other states with a zero-deductible for auto glass, are committing fraud and entering litigation arbitrarily. … Continue reading
Aftermarket ADAS: A Huge Growth Projected in Recent Study
“The aftermarket segment for ADAS systems in the United States currently is approximately a $976-million opportunity, growing to $1.51 billion at a 9-10-percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in 2021,” a recent study produced by Ducker Research for the Specialty … Continue reading
New Products Abound at SEMA 2017
The 2017 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show wrapped up its four-day run at the Las Vegas Convention Center on November 3, and while the show is primarily focused on automotive restyling, a few companies from the auto glass industry … Continue reading
Fuyao Workers Vote No to Union
After months of news reports and guessing of “will they” or “won’t they?” employees at Fuyao Glass America Inc. voted against joining the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. According to the UAW website, the vote was 444 in favor to 868 … Continue reading
Boyd Group Shows Third Quarter Growth Despite Hurricanes, Currency Troubles
Boyd Group Income Fund reported its third-quarter financial results on Wednesday. The company’s sales increased by 13.5 percent, to $391.9 million (Canadian dollars) from $345.3 million in 2016. Boyd reported that its financial results were impacted by Hurricane Irma, and … Continue reading
Customer Service Tips from a Customer Service Champion
Customer service is the linchpin of any AGRR business. Done correctly, it can maximize a company’s profits and public profile. Done incorrectly, both can be severely damaged. Rose Williams of Mel’s Auto Glass in Erlanger, Ky., knows a thing or … Continue reading
ADAS Retrofitting Opportunities, Auto Glass Tools Spotlighted at SEMA
For four days, SEMA brings together the latest and most exciting innovations within the automotive industry. Although not heavily focused on glass, the 2017 SEMA Show did touch on some topics of important to the glass industry. “[ADAS] is driven … Continue reading
Woman Charged with Stealing More Than $100,000 from North Dakota Auto Glass Shop
A woman is accused of stealing more than $100,000 from the bank account of an auto glass shop in North Dakota where she worked. In July, Tri-County Glass owner Billie Lynn filed a police report with the Williston Police Department … Continue reading
Gerber Collision & Glass Acquires Nine Tennessee Collision Repair Centers
The Boyd Group Inc., parent company to Glass America and Gerber Collision & Glass, has acquired Auto Art Body Shop, a multi-store operation consisting of nine collision repair centers located in the Nashville region. Auto Art Body Shop was founded … Continue reading
DOT Awards Numbers to Chinese Glass Manufacturer, American Tour Company
The Department of Transportation recently awarded DOT numbers to a Chinese glass manufacturer and a Nashville-based transportation company. Joyride 1 was awarded DOT Number 1092. The company provides free point-to-point transportation and tours in open-air, low-speed vehicles. Joyride has locations … Continue reading
August’s Miles Driven Up From Last Year, Down From July
Travel on all roads and streets increased 1.4 percent in August 2017, a jump of 3.9 billion vehicle miles, compared to August 2016 according to the Federal Highway Administration. However, there was a .3 percent month-over-month decline from July 2017. … Continue reading
3 Out of 10 Recalled Vehicles are Not Repaired; Maryland Program Aims to Change That
Millions of vehicles are under recall at any given moment in the U.S., but not all owners of recalled vehicles get their car fixed. Faulty windshields and sunroofs remain on many vehicles, posing a potential safety threat to drivers and … Continue reading
PGW Auto Glass Acquires Michaelson’s Glass
PGW Auto Glass, an LKQ company, acquired Lakewood, New Jersey-based wholesale glass dealer Michaelson’s Glass on Monday according to a statement obtained by glassBYTEs. The statement, attributed to Michaelson’s Glass, reads, “I, along with the Michaelson’s and PGW Auto Glass … Continue reading
San Antonio Auto Repair Company Celebrates Fifth Anniversary
Mission Glass, a San Antonio-based automotive and residential glass repair company, announced the celebration of its five-year anniversary this week. The company has worked with homeowners and business owners throughout the region to repair windshield cracks, replace full storefronts and … Continue reading
Dealer Auto Glass AZ Launches Scholarship Program
Arizona-based auto glass company Dealer Auto Glass AZ recently launched its new scholarship program. The program is designed to encourage and attract ambitious individuals in their pursuit of continued education within the U.S. Dealer Auto Glass AZ places a great … Continue reading
Consumer Reports Investigates Exploding Sunroofs
As the demand for panoramic sunroofs continues to grow, so do the news stories about spontaneous exploding sunroofs nationwide. Windshields are regulated, but there are no such regulations for increasingly larger sunroofs despite consumer complaints about shattering glass. Consumer Reports … Continue reading
Sika Opens New Facility in Africa
Sika has expanded its presence in Africa. The company opened a new facility in the Angolan capital, Luanda. With the additional production capacities in Angola, Sika is moving further toward its goal of covering approximately 70 percent of the market … Continue reading
Belron has Allocated Its New Term Loans of $1.5 Billion USD
Belron, parent of Safelite AutoGlass, announced it has allocated its Term Loan B (TLB) of $1.5 billion USD (1.3 billion EUR) equivalent and refinanced its revolving credit with a new facility of $324.6 million USD (280 million EUR) (the “financing”). … Continue reading
LKQ Corporation Posts Strong Earnings for Quarter Three
LKQ Corporation, parent company of PGW Auto Glass, had a strong third quarter. The company reported an 11.7-percent revenue increase in comparison to 2016’s third quarter, totaling $2.47 billion. These figures are according to the company’s latest financial statement. “We … Continue reading
Geico Motions for Entry Default Judgement against VIP Auto Glass
Geico General Insurance Company has asked the U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida Tampa Division to enter default judgment in its favor in the October 2016 lawsuit filed by VIP Auto Glass (VIP). The auto glass shop was seeking … Continue reading
J.D. Power Finds Insureds Slow to Accept Digital Claims Reporting
Auto insureds have been slow to accept digital claims reporting despite insurers’ push toward using mobile apps and digital channels to purchase insurance, according to J.D. Power’s 2017 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction study. The report noted that the results were … Continue reading
LKQ Corporation to Acquire Aftermarket Business of Warn Industries Inc.
LKQ Corporation, parent company of PGW Auto Glass, announced that its Specialty Segment, Keystone Automotive Operations Inc. (Keystone), has agreed to acquire the aftermarket business of Warn Industries Inc., a designer, manufacturer and marketer of high performance vehicle equipment and … Continue reading
More Employees Expected to Join Lawsuit against Fuyao Glass America
The June lawsuit against Fuyao Glass America for alleged unpaid wages just got bigger. Two more former employees have requested to join seven others as plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the auto glass manufacturer for alleged unpaid wages and unpaid … Continue reading
Former Safelite Technician Joins Alleged “Forty Hour Plan” Lawsuit
Another former Safelite technician has joined two other plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the company for alleged unpaid wages due to the company’s purported “Forty Hour Plan.” The plaintiffs are seeking $500,000. Quincy Williams has joined plaintiffs Lamar Mackall and … Continue reading
Assignment of Benefits Necessary for Industry
Assignment of benefits can put all parties involved in a vulnerable position, but the practice is necessary for the survival of the automotive glass industry, according to Morgan and Morgan attorney Anthony Prieto. At Auto Glass Week™, he spoke to … Continue reading
PGW Auto Glass Acquires Sigma Distributing
PGW Auto Glass, an LKQ company, has acquired Sigma Distributing Companies, an independent wholesaler that provides auto glass, exhaust and automotive supplies, effective October 16. Sigma Distributing was founded in Wichita, Kan., in 1984, and his since expanded throughout the … Continue reading
Fuyao Glass America Employees Look to Unionize at Moraine, Ohio, Plant
After the attempt to establish a union at the Nissan facility in Canton, Miss., fell flat, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union has its sights set on Fuyao Glass America’s Moraine, Ohio, plant. UAW reported that employees at the facility … Continue reading
Lawsuit against State Farm Highlights Insurer’s Influence on Auto Repairs
“Greedy insurance companies have been bullying auto body shops into fixing damaged vehicles with unsafe practices and materials for decades,” said attorney Todd Tracy, who recently filed a lawsuit against State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance on behalf of his clients … Continue reading
Educating the Industry about NAGS
The National Auto Glass Specifications (NAGS) benchmark is a sensitive subject among the industry, something Mitchell International Inc. senior vice president of service and operations John Gilmartin addressed at Auto Glass Week™ as he explained how Mitchell is making improvements. … Continue reading
Industry Learns How Body Language Can Help Explode Sales
Janine Driver knows that body language plays an important role in how people communicate. The author brought her knowledge to Auto Glass Week™ in West Palm Beach, Fla., to help businesses explode their sales. “What are you saying without saying … Continue reading
SNL Parodies Safelite Ads, Safelite Fires Back
Saturday Night Live (SNL) made national headlines this weekend, but not for its political satire. The late-night comedy show spoofed Safelite’s “Safelite Repair, Safelite Replace” television ads. The sketch closely followed Safelite’s existing ads by featuring a technician who replaced … Continue reading
2017 Auto Glass Replacement, Repair Competition Winners Announced
The winners of the Pilkington Clear Advantage Auto Glass Technician Competition (AGTO) and the GlasWeld Windshield Repair Competition (WRO) were announced tonight at a ceremony in West Palm Beach, Fla., where Auto Glass Week™ is being held. Ben Rorick of … Continue reading
Auto Glass Week™ Looks Toward the Industry’s Future
The trend toward vehicles with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) is considered undeniable by many in the industry. At Auto Glass Week™, NSG Pilkington North America marketing specialist Erica Clouse looked at current changing trends and possible trends in the future. … Continue reading
What’s Changing in Auto Insurance: A Lot
It was a packed house in the Auto Glass Week™ session regarding what’s changing in auto insurance. James Lynch, vice president, data and information services, and chief actuary for the Insurance Information Institute, discussed how autonomous vehicles will affect the … Continue reading
The Telephone Doctor Provides a Customer Service Cure
Quality products and service are at the heart of any business plan, but quality only goes so far. According to Nancy Friedman, the Telephone Doctor, more business is lost due to poor treatment of customers than due to poor products. … Continue reading
Explaining the Exploding Sunroof
News of exploding sunroofs can often scare consumers. At Auto Glass Week™, Allied Glass Experts president Henry Chamberlain addressed the causes of sunroof shattering and said, “this is just one part of the conversation related to spontaneous tempered glass breakage.” … Continue reading
AGTO, WRO Finalists Are Announced
The names of the Pilkington Clear Advantage Auto Glass Technician Competition (AGTO) and GlasWeld Windshield Repair Competition (WRO) finalists were announced tonight. In no particular order, the finalists in the AGTO large-size company division are: Ben Rorick, store manager for … Continue reading
Auto Glass Week™ Tackles ADAS
Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) are changing the game for those repairing and replacing auto glass. At Auto Glass Week, the industry got together to answer some of the big questions concerning ADAS recalibration. The Auto Glass Safety Council™’s (AGSC) Automotive … Continue reading
Mark Kelly Inspires Auto Glass Week™ Attendees with Keynote Speech
Retired astronaut, engineer and U.S. Navy Captain Mark Kelly delivered an inspiring keynote speech at Auto Glass Week in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Wednesday. He spoke about some of the most defining moments of his career and weaved those … Continue reading
Auto Glass Week™ Show Floor Busy and New Products Abound
Auto Glass Week officially opened yesterday, and of course one of the highlights was the new products on the show floor. PGW talked about all its offerings, including the fact that it now offers Bosch Power Tools. Company representative Monica … Continue reading
AGSC and NWRA Honor Industry Veterans
The Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC) and the National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA) both honored longtime industry leaders with awards this morning during Auto Glass Week™ in West Palm Beach, Fla. AGSC honored Paul Heinauer, president of Glasspro Inc., with … Continue reading