Auto Temp Speaks Out on Recall

Officials at Auto Temp Inc. in Batavia, Ohio, says the company learned of the problem with certain of the DOT 430 parts from Safelite/Belron US in November 2007 (CLICK HERE for related story.) In December, Safelite issued a recall for parts originally manufactured by Hangzhou Safety Glass Ltd. (DOT 430), which were distributed to Safelite by Auto Temp Inc.

"We learned in November 2007, when notified by Safelite, that Safelite had questions about certain DOT 430 parts," the company writes in a statement issued to glassBYTEs.com™/AGRR magazine. "We were later advised by Safelite of their intention to recall certain DOT 430 products."

When asked if Auto Temp provided the parts to any other companies besides Safelite, Auto Temp declined to comment. (glassBYTEs.com™ has been told by industry sources the parts also were distributed to Pilkington, though this hasn't been confirmed, and calls to Pilkington have not been returned.)

"For legal and competitive reasons, we are unable to provide a list of our customers. What we can tell you is that the DOT 430 parts in question represent an extremely small amount of our annual product distributed," the company continues.

The company also declined to comment on whether it has had problems with any other Hangzhou parts.

"For legal and competitive reasons, we are unable to comment on any of our customer and vendor relationships," Auto Temp adds.

Like Safelite/Belron US, the company notes that it depends on those from whom it outsources glass to confirm that it is compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 205.

"Quality and safety has always been the highest priority at Auto Temp Inc.," the company writes. "The glass products that ATI manufactures itself at its Batavia, Ohio, plant endure extensive testing to confirm that it is compliant with FMVSS 205. With respect to glass ATI sources from third parties, it expects all of its suppliers to comply with all relevant federal, state and local safety standards, including FMVSS 205, and the use of the suppliers DOT number on the glass certifies such compliance."

Auto Temp's statement was issued on behalf of the company by Northlich, an Ohio-based public relations firm.

Need more info and analysis about the issues?
CLICK HERE to subscribe to AGRR magazine.