Jan/Feb 2014 - AGRR Magazine

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© 2014 AGRR Magazine. All rights reserved. No reproduction
of any type without expressed written permission.
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January/February 2014
Volume 16 • Issue 1
Is Tomorrow’s
Technology
Here?
■
■
■
F-150 Owners
Report Shattering
Backlites
A Bird’s Eye View of
Distribution
2014 Buyer’s Guide
www.agrrmag.com • www.glassBYTEs.com™
A Publication of Key Communications Inc. • Subscribe at www.glass.com/subcenter
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8 8 8 1 * - , * / ( 5 0 / $ - & " 3 " % 7" / 5" ( & $ 0 .
What You See
Is A Replacement
Windshield.
What We See Is...
The Clear Advantage.
OEM Quality Glass for Improved Fit and Performance.
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r0WFSBMM0QUJDBM%JTUPSUJPO
r%SJWFS'BUJHVF
Generic
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r&ZF4USBJO
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(FOFSJDHMBTTDPOTUSVDUJPODBOUNBUDIUIF 5IFGBCSJDBUJPOQSPDFTTPG
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1JMLJOHUPOTóPBUHMBTTFOTVSFT
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W W W. P I L K I N G T O N C L E A R A D VA N TA G E . C O M
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11
— Features —
Getting Business
DONE
RIGHT
T
he Annual AGRR™ Buyer’s Guide
A&I Products
1020 22nd Ave.
P.O. Box 8
Rock Valley, IA 51247
712/476-4132 (P)
712/476-4236 (F)
www.aiproducts.com
A.N. Designs
Inc./UltraWiz
800/227-7694 (P)
800/456-8393 (F)
www.banom.com
510/217-9669 (F)
www.datatranz.com
BTB Auto Glass and
Body Shop Tools
P.O. Box 1549
2016 Borneman Ave.
Elkhart, IN 46515-1549
574/294-6989 (P)
574/294-7599 (F)
www.dcmco.com
DCM Company
1B Wood St.
Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
3550
613/5443-1755 (P)
613/5441-5263 (F)
www.btbtools.com
Burco Inc.
111 Putter Lane
2936 South Wilson Ct.
Torrington, CT 06790-4632 Grand Rapids, MI 49534
860/482-2921 (P)
888/253-2593 (P)
860/482-8585 (F)
616/453-5777 (F)
www.ultrawiztools.com
www.burcoinc.com
See our ad on page 17
Delta Kits Inc.
P.O. Box 26509
Eugene, OR 97402
541/345-8554 (P)
541/345-1591 (F)
www.deltakits.com
2881 Commerce Park Dr.
Ste. M
Fitchburg, WI 53719
608/274-9254 (P)
608/274-9395 (F)
www.aegistools.com
A
Round Rock, TX 78665
512/388-7715 (P)
512/388-4188 (F)
www.equalizer.com
Extractor/Crystal Glass
9508 - 45 Ave.
Edmonton, AB T6E 5Y9
780/436-3251 (P)
780/438-5915 (F)
www.extractortools.com
Fein Power Tools Inc.
1030 Alcon St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
800/441-9878 (P)
412/922-8767 (F)
www.feinus.com
Diamon-Fusion
International
C.R. Laurence Co. Inc.
Aegis Tools
International Inc.
14
Our latest AGRR™ directory provides guidance for those in search of industry supplies
ranging from adhesives to windshield repair
items to software and more. The guide is designed to help you fulfill your business needs.
Over the next pages you will see companies’
contact information as well a list of the products, services and tools they offer.
9361 Irvine Blvd.
2503 East Vernon Ave.
Ste. F
Los Angeles, CA 90058-1897 Irvine, CA 92618
323/588-1281 (P)
949/529-3029 (P)
www.dfisolutions.com
800/262-3299 (F)
www.crlaurence.com/automotive
Glass Bot/
Nelson Glass Tools
Carlex
Digital Business
Controls
Glass Doctor
7200 Centennial Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37209
734/634-8945 (P)
www.carlex.com or
www.carlite.com
623 East 2100 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
801/413-1836 (P)
801/413-1839 (F)
www.dbcontrols.com
C
D
P.O. Box 171
Garden Valley, CA 95633
530/748-8880 (P)
www.glassbot.net
P.O. Box 3146
317 Bosque
Waco, TX 76707
800/280-9858 (P)
254/745-5098 (F)
w
Gold Glass Group
545-4 Johnson Ave.
Bohemia, NY 11716
631/981-4277 (P)
631/981-4299 (F)
www.gggcorp.com
GTS
11481 S.W. Hall Blvd.
Ste. 100
Portland, OR 97223
800/209-2369 (P)
503/624-0433 (F)
www.gtsservices.com
Guardian
Automotive Products
2040 Production Dr.
Findlay, OH 45840
800/331-8403 (P)
419/396-3601 (F)
www.guardianaftermarket.com
HSG Code Blue/
Pro Glass Alliance
14 East Main St., 4th Floor
Springfield, OH 45502
715/830-6071 (P)
w
18
26
28
Buyer’s Guide:
Getting Business
Done Right
What tools, softwares and
services do you need to do
business in 2014? Check out
the AGRR™ Buyer’s Guide to
meet all your industry needs.
An Eye on
Distribution
Where are the distribution
centers? Check out our map of
North American distribution
centers. Also, learn how some
professionals think the market
is faring and what they predict
fo r t he f u t u re.
Blurred Lines
Automotive glass continues to
shift and evolve with some
companies already offering
s w i t c h a b l e g l a s s. We t a ke a
look at how glass is evolving
and the impact this could have
on the automotive market.
Staying Out of
Trouble
Te c h n i c i a n s s a y t h a t t h e
proper and safe use of
urethane during installation is
crucial to the safety of the
v e h ic l e o c c u p a nt . We of f e r a n
overview of some proper
techniques to help prevent
issues.
There’s More AGRR Online…
A Vision for Video
w w w. a g r r m a g . c o m / d i g i t a l / i n d e x . h t m
Tw o g l a s s c o m p a ny o w ne r s s h a re t he i r v i s io n
f o r v i d e o a n d t e c h n o l o g y i n t h e c o m i n g y e a r.
B e s u re t o re a d w h a t t he y h a v e t o s h a re.
2
AGRR January/February 2014
Columns
4
Field of Vision
6
Customer Service
8
Guest Column
. . . . . . . . adhesive application methods
30
Guest Column
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . buying blind
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . from the editor
. . . . . . . . . tips for quality service
Departments
10
AGRReports
32
Showroom
34
Insurance Talk
35
On the Road
35
Showcase
36
Industry Insiders
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . breaking news
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . new products
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . policy briefs
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . calendar of events
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . directory of suppliers
. . . . . . . . . . . . people in the news
Windshield and Glass Repair
31
WGRReports
>
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . repair news
©2014 by Key Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Auto Glass Repair and Replacement
(AGRR) (USPS 020-897) is published 6 times per year (bi-monthly) by Key Communications
Inc., 385 Garrisonville Road, Suite 116, Stafford, VA 22554; 540/720-5584; fax 540/7205687. Advertising offices listed on page 4. Unsolicited manuscripts and other materials will
not be returned. All contents are ©2014 by Key Communications Inc. Neither publisher nor
its representatives nor its subcontractors assume liability for errors in text, charts,
advertisements, etc. and suggest appropriate companies be contacted before specification
or use of products advertised or included in editorial materials. Views and opinions
expressed by authors are not necessarily those of the publisher. No reproduction permitted
without expressed written permission of the publisher. For permission to reprint, contact
editorial offices. Printed in the U.S. Postmaster: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO AGRR, P.O.
Box 569, Garrisonville, VA 22463. 42013 by Key Communications, Inc. Periodicals postage
paid at Stafford, VA, and additional post offices. Questions? Call 540/720-5584.
www.agrrmag.com
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THE ALL NEW
EQUALIZER
CATALOG IS HERE
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Field of Vision
from the editor
Publisher
Debra A. Levy
Extension 111 • [email protected]
Editor
Jenna Reed
[email protected]
Contributing
Editors
Casey Neeley
Ellen Rogers
New Year, New Challenges
by Jenna Reed
W
ELL, WE DID IT. WE
conquered another year.
Welcome to the first
AGRR™ magazine of 2014. Have you
gotten into the habit of writing the correct year on everything yet? I am still
catching myself writing 2013. However,
this challenge is minor in comparison
to some the industry will be facing in
the coming year.
into our lives. Personally, I caved in
2013 and purchased a smartphone. I
know, behind the times right? Many of
you have likely had one for years. The
gorilla glass used in smartphones
could trickle over into vehicles. And
smartphones and tablets are changing
the way technicians work in the field.
Are your technicians using tablets?
How about video? Some companies
are finding unique ways
of pulling video into
their daily routines.
Technology is a big focus
in this edition. If you’re
doing something different, please share your
ideas.
And as has become
our traditional, the first
magazine of the year offers a one-stop guide to
fulfilling all your AGRR needs. From
tools to services to software and more,
we worked to pull together a directory
of companies in the AGRR industry
and what they offer. As a part of this
issue, we’ve also created a list of automotive glass distribution centers
throughout the country. Officials from
some of the top distribution companies offered their thoughts as to how
the market is shaping up.
Your feedback is always welcome. If
you would like to offer thoughts on this
edition, share article ideas or more,
email Jenna Reed at [email protected].
Cheers to a prosperous New Year! ■
One of the big ones this year is the
Affordable Care Act (ACA). What has
been looming has now gone into effect. While many might see this act as
positive, others remain confused and
believe it will be detrimental to business. We have heard reports of employees getting their hours trimmed to
part time and some companies have
been doing layoffs to keep their
staffing small enough to avoid participation in this act. Still others are splitting one company into two. The online
health care exchange has gone live and
even with some bumps and glitches,
the new act is on course. I’d love to
hear from you about how this will impact your business. What have you
Jenna Reed is the editor of AGRR™
done or are you doing to be compliant?
magazine/glassBYTEs.com™. Connect
Another big challenge for 2014 is the with her on LinkedIn, follow her on Twitter
ever-looming technology factor. Every- @agrrmagazine and like AGRR magazine on
day it seems technology creeps more Facebook to receive the latest updates.
◗
4
Tara Taffera
Managing
Editor
Graphic
Artist
Advertising
Coordinator
Events
Manager
Marketing
Director
Customer
Relations Mgr.
Web
Developer
Video
Producer
Contributing
Columnists
Dawn Campbell
Saundra Hutchison
Erin Harris
Tina Czar
Holly Biller, vice president
Janeen Mulligan
Bryan Hovey
Chris Bunn
Jamie Browning Rich Campfield
Russ Corsi
Alan Epley
Dale Malcolm
Carl Tompkins
Kerry Wanstrath
Published by Key
Communications Inc.
385 Garrisonville Road, Suite 116
Stafford, VA 22554
540/720-5584; fax 540/720-5687
Advertising Offices:
Midwest
Lisa Naugle
Associate Publisher
[email protected]
Phone 312/850-0899
Fax 312/277-2912
Northeast &
Eastern Canada
Southeast
Josh Lentz
[email protected]
Phone 360/563-4936
Fax 888/786-8777
Scott Rickles
[email protected]
Phone 770/664-4567
Fax 770/740-1399
West Coast &
Western Canada
Europe
Josh Lentz
[email protected]
Phone 360/563-4936
Fax 888/786-8777
Patrick Connolly
[email protected]
699 Kings Road
Westcliff on Sea
Essex SS0 8PH ENGLAND
Phone (44) 1-702-477341
Fax (44) 1-702-477559
China & Asia
Sean Xiao
[email protected]
Rm.403, Block 17, Wuyimingzhu,
No.6 Jinshan Road
Fuzhou, Fujian, 350001, China.
Phone (86) 591 83863000
All Others Contact Publisher Directly
Permissions: Material in this publication may not
be reproduced in any format without publisher’s
permission. Request for both print and PDF reprints
should be directed to the Digital Media Services
department, 540/720-5584; [email protected].
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Customer Service
tips for quality service
[email protected]
Be Funny and Make Money
b y C a r l To m p k i n s
C
counter. No matter the situation,
ONSIDERING THAT WE WILL B. Be the best: No one enters a race
hoping for a red ribbon! Committhere is always something positive
spend 110,000 hours of our life at
ting to be the best at what you love
and memorable that you can prowork during an average career,
vide people. It can be something as
we would be foolish to not enjoy the
to do sets the stage for learning and
simple as a smile, a sincere thank
journey. Reinforcing this point, I’ll never
doing what it takes to win the blue
you, taking an extra action to assist
forget my first day at work at Oregon
ribbon. People love stars—be one.
Glass early in my career; the date was C. Live a winning attitude: I’ve written
them beyond the norm of business,
September 20, 1977. I showed up to
as much about the power of choice
getting them to laugh over a story or
work at 7:45 a.m., met many of the emas any other subject and this word
to provide encouragement.
ployees, completed my necessary pacomes well into play when living a
Now knowing how to “be funny,” I
perwork and then met up with my boss,
winning attitude. A winning attitude conclude with how to “make money.”
Gene Miller, at 10 a.m. My first day at
is based on choice and this is a spe- Little has to be written here because
cific skill attracts people. There are the hardest part has already been dework from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. was spent
many bumps in the road of business fined within the teaching points of
at the Dandelion Pub in Portland, Ore.,
and they are best countered with a “Be Funny.” Making money is a
with Gene. After six hours of my telling
every story and life experience possible
winning attitude that makes the dis- byproduct of being funny because
by a then 24-year-old man, Gene asked,
covery of solutions much easier and you’ve associated a number of valuable skills toward relationship build“Well Carl, what did you think of your
the journey less jarring.
first day at work?” Having had more D. Live to serve: Putting others interest ing and that goes a long way in
than my share of ale at that point of the
ahead of your own is always the best determining where people desire to
day, I responded, “It has been a little difway to serve. When this is done spend their money. What does need
ferent than what I expected Gene. My
through a regular, genuine effort, to be added on to the “making
people respond well. Nothing will money” side of this equation is that
dad taught me to work first and play secseparate you from another in busi- your products and services must be
ond and I think you’ve shown me just
ness quicker than when your self-in- reliable; they must perform as promthe opposite.” Gene grinned and said,
terest is all that matters and is ised. Absent the factor of reliability,
“Great, you’ve learned the most valuable
demonstrated through pride, boast- great relationships can only provide
lesson in working for me: If we cannot
have fun at what we do for a living, we’re
ing and selfishness. While it may the temporary patience by customers.
going to find something else to do!”
sound counterintuitive, serving oth- Companies having long term reputaWhile I do not endorse spending six
ers ahead of yourself helps you out tions of being unreliable have no hope
hours at the pub to get your job done
more than you’ll ever know. First off, of making money. Run a tight ship proin this day and age, I do endorse
you’ll quit thinking about yourself viding reliable products and services at
Gene’s notion that people must enjoy
and all of your own aches and pains a fair price and you’ll have the making
because you’ll be concentrating on money side of the equation solved. Do
their careers.
other people and, secondly, having remember that “Being Funny” comes
many people appreciative of your ahead of “Making Money.” If you’re
How to Be Funny:
attitude and efforts is the best way going backwards in the race of busiA. Choice of job: First and most importo earn their support in business. ness success, you merely have these
tant, seek your dream within your
■
I’ve always taught, “Let money be a two slogans reversed!
job selection. Most people chase
byproduct of great service.”
money within their career and, when
it’s too late, learn that never can E. Brighten the day: Through the servCarl Tompkins is the global marketing reenough be attained. It’s only when
ice you provide, make it your mansources manager for Sika Corp. in Madison
you do what you enjoy for a living
date to leave everyone better off Heights, Mich., and the author of Winning at
that you have any shot at fulfillment.
than they were prior to your en- Business. He is based in Spokane, Wash.
◗
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608.274.9395 (fax)
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Madison, WI 53719 USA
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Adhesive Corner
in my opinion
[email protected]
Best Adhesive Application Methods
by Dale Malcolm
T
ODAY,YOU FIND TECHNICIANS
defending
their
preferred
method for applying urethane.
While most of the industry has moved
to the triangle- or "V"-shaped bead,
some still hold with the less effective
round bead. Then there’s also the question of whether to apply it to the glass
or to the original cut-back bead.
There are several problems associated with a round bead. The first is the
flatter, rounded top of the bead is prone
to trapping small air bubbles (Fig. 1)
that can lead to a water leak in the seal.
A round bead of adhesive is also
more difficult to press into the glass or
an irregular surface on the body of the
vehicle. With a round bead, the wet-out
or penetration of the adhesive is dependent on the minimal force applied
when decking the glass.
Test it for yourself: apply a round
bead to a textured piece of glass or plastic and flip it over after pressing down to
see the effectiveness of the penetration.
The last reason is waste. When analyzed, a round bead decked to the
same height as a “V”-shaped bead
used almost 40 percent more adhesive
without any additional benefit.
Application to the Vehicle Body
Pro
Con
It is easier to center the bead of
adhesive; on the trimmed urethane
bonding surface;
Application of the adhesive at a 90degree angle can be difficult, especially
on larger vehicles; and
It can be easier to position the glass
into the body opening; and
The number of joints in the adhesive
bead increases and they can be difficult
to see while tooling.
Primer applied outside of the bonding
area does not always have to be dry
before setting the glass.
Application to the Glass Part
Pro
Con
Applicator can be held at a more
comfortable angle below the shoulders;
Handling the glass and placing it into
the vehicle with the wet adhesive on it
can be difficult; and
Holding the applicator at a 90-degree
angle to a horizontal surface is easier;
and
Centering the new adhesive on the
trimmed adhesive on the body can be
difficult, if not impossible. This
requires an additional band of body
primer outside of the trimmed adhesive
to allow the new urethane to bond.
When working in colder temperatures
this could mean extra time required for
the primer to properly dry in the
bonding area.
The number of joints can be minimal
and placed towards the bottom edge of
the part.
8
One of the biggest advantages of a
“V”-shaped bead is that it uses less adhesive than round beads. And whether
the bead is applied to the body (Fig. 2)
or glass (Fig. 3), both methods afford
maximum wet-out.
Optimal wet-out is best achieved
when the applicator tip is cut square at
the end and the applicator gun is held
as close as possible at a 90-degree
angle to the surface. This forces the adhesive into any irregularities in the
bonding surface. The shape of the bead
flattens and spreads out when decking
the glass, virtually avoiding the creation of air bubbles.
Some technicians choose to cut the
applicator tip at an angle. This will appear to give the desired result, but the
actual penetration is reduced. This may
not be as important on softer, lower viscosity adhesives, but becomes more
important with firmer, higher viscosity
products, especially in cold weather.
I know that many who read this may
have additional points to add or might
disagree. I always welcome the discussion as long as the beer is cold!
■
◗
>
Dale Malcolm is the technical manager
for Dow Automotive.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
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AGR Reports
breaking news
powered by
NATIONAL NEWS
Fuyao to Launch First U.S. Automotive
Glass Manufacturing Facility
F
UYAO GLASS INDUSTRY GROUP
plans to purchase the former
General Motors Assembly in
Moraine, Ohio, to build its first North
American automotive glass manufacturing facility.
The company will invest $200 million in the plant and plans to bring 800
jobs to the area over the next five years.
“I think this is a great opportunity
for Fuyao to increase its presence in
America,” says Jamie Browning, contributing editor for AGRRTM magazine.
Browning spent a year with Fuyao in
China as a senior technical advisor
from 2011 to 2012.
“I was able to see firsthand their
level of commitment to quality during
my time with Fuyao in Beijing. This is
a positive step for new jobs in America by Chinese companies,” he adds.
The company plans to begin glass
manufacturing by
the end of 2015. The
project still needs to
undergo the due diligence process on the
building and gain
approval of federal,
state and local in- Cao Dewang
Chairman, Fuyao
centives.
Fuyao is the largest automotive
glass supplier in China with 65 per-
Several Ford F-150 Owners Report Shattering Backlites to NHTSA
More than 20 F-150 Ford owners of the
2010 model year have complained to the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that an alleged glitch in
their rear defrosters has caused their backlites to shatter or spiderweb in cracks.
“On a 40-degree morning, I turned the
rear defroster on to clear the windows and
mirrors. as I was driving my son to daycare, I heard a large pop and then smelled
burning rubber. I looked and saw the right
rear glass shattered and it was shortened
out by the heating element,” reported one
owner to NHSTA on December 15, 2013.
Another owner who wrote to NHTSA on
December 9, 2013, reported that “The truck
was outside in 11-degrees. I started the vehicle and turned on the rear defrost. Within
two to three minutes, the left panel (on the
driver’s side) of the three-piece sliding rear
window shattered while I was stopped at a
traffic light.”
In another reported instance, the
owner says the back light shattered near
where his or her son was seated in the
truck.
“The external temperature was -22 degrees and I had the rear window defroster
and heating unit in the diver’s seat turned
on. The front defroster was set to the
10
Some F-150 drivers hear a loud
bang before backlite shatters.
highest temperature. While driving at 25
mph, my son and I noticed a burning
smell. He was seated in a booster in the
rear seat, passenger side. He advised me
that he could hear something behind him
making noise. I looked back and observed
smoke coming from behind the rear passenger headrest where my son was seated.
I looked forward to find a spot to pull over
and then heard a loud bang. Looking back,
I saw the rear window was shattered on
the passenger side. It is a sliding rear win-
>
dow with three sections. Only the passenger section directly behind my son was
shattered. The glass remained in place,
but shattered. I quickly pulled over, shut
off the truck and removed my son. From
the outside, I can see the plastic lower
corner melted where the passenger glass
meets the center glass section. The rubber
seal/moulding was smoking and had
melted and dripped down the back of the
truck cab between the cab and the truck
bed/box. Inside there is a strong odor of
burnt rubber or plastic,” the owner alleges.
Several of the owners involved in these
alleged incidents reported the situations
to dealers and Ford; however, no remedy
or “fix” was offered, they told NHTSA.
“The dealer is telling me that the glass
is not covered under the extended warranty,” writes one owner in a complaint.
Another owner writes, “The truck is still
at the shop and they cannot identify the
issue. I fear that if only the glass is replaced that this issue will reoccur.”
Several of the owners shared photos of
their damaged rear backlites with NHTSA.
NHTSA does not have an open investigation of this reported issue and Ford officials had not responded to a request for
comment.
www.agrrmag.com
>I
Product Information
cent of the market and 18 percent of
the global automotive glass market.
The company currently has a presence
in the U.S., Germany, Russia, Japan,
South Korea, Australia, Brazil, and
many other countries in the world.
Fuyao, headquartered in Fuzhou,
China, employs more than 18,000
workers globally and plans to use its
new Moraine facility to supply its
growing U.S. customer base, including
General Motors, Chrysler, Hyundai,
Honda and Kia.
And globally, the company provides
batch OEM supplies for Audi, Bentley,
Volkswagen, GM, Ford, Toyota, Honda,
Nissan, PSA, Volvo, Hyundai and
Chrysler.
Officials from Fuyao North America
declined to comment.
Glass Masters “Rebrands”
as Auto Glass Now
Despite rumors and online conjecture that Safelite has acquired Glass
Masters and Glass Emporium, Safelite’s
public relations manager Melina Metzger says it is not true. “Safelite, nor our
parent company Belron, owns or has a
minority stake in Glass Emporium,
Auto Glass Now, Glass Masters or any
of their brand names/affiliates, etc,”
Metzger says.
The 60 Glass Masters locations
throughout the country have been “rebranded” under the Auto Glass Now
moniker and remain “under the same
ownership,” according to a manager at
the company’s national call center who
prefers not be indentified for fear of
reprisal.
Auto Glass Now was a related com-
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Sponsorships
and Contestant
Registration
Open for
Auto Glass Week™
Auto Glass Week™ (AGW)
2014 will be held in Baltimore on October 7-9, 2014.
All of the major automotive glass groups are coming together to bring you one
momentous event at the Baltimore Convention Center and Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel.
The 2014 event will bring together the Auto Glass Safety Council, Independent
Glass Association, National Glass Association, National Windshield Repair Association and AGRR™ magazine in one convenient location.
The AGW Exhibition/Extravaganza will once again be bustling with excitement with
our full line-up of sponsors, as well as AGRR™ magazine’s Auto Glass Technician
Olympics (AGTO) and Windshield Repair Olympics (WRO) in Honor of Walt Gorman.
Contestant registration includes admission to all seminars, workshops, social
events, one ticket to the Gala Awards Reception and Ceremony, and access to the
Exhibition/Extravaganza where the competitions will be held.
The annual event will bring together all aspects of the automotive glass industry. Tools, mouldings, adhesive systems, automotive glass and more will be on
display, discussed in seminars and incorporated within demonstrations and the
two high-energy competitions.
The competitions will be held October 7-9 as part of Auto Glass Week. Champions will be announced Thursday evening, October 9, at the Gala Awards Reception and Ceremony, which will be held from 5-7 p.m. at the Renaissance Baltimore
Harborplace Hotel. The registration deadline for contestants is August 15, 2014.
There is no on-site registration to compete.
In the AGTO, first place will receive $10,000, a gold medal and trophy, as well
as bragging rights as the “World’s Best Auto Glass Technician.” Second will take
home $1,000 and a silver medal and third will receive $500 and a bronze medal.
First-place winner for the WRO will receive the grand prize of $10,000, a gold
medal and trophy, as well as bragging rights as the “World’s Best Windshield Repair Technician.” Second place will receive $1,000 as well as a silver medal and
the third-place winner will get $500 and a bronze medal.
If you are interested in sponsoring and holding a booth space at the 2014 AGW,
contact Holly Biller at 540/602-3251, or by email at [email protected].
For more information on
™
how to register, compete, or
become an AGW Sponsor, visit
www.autoglassweek.com.
sponsored by
continued on page 12
www.agrrmag.com
>
January/February 2014 AGRR
11
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continued
breaking news
pany to Glass Masters, according to the company call center manager. She says the Glass Masters’ locations
“adopted” the name of the existing company.
Efforts by AGRRTM magazine editors to dig into the company’s ownership led to a report that lists Gerald Alexander
as the president of Auto Glass Now in 2011.
Calls to the company’s corporate headquarters in Oakland, Calif., for Glass Masters, which also did business as
Glass Pro and Glass Emporium, were unsuccessful. Editors
were referred to the national call center by the person answering the phone there.
COMPANY NEWS
Safelite Group to Acquire
Assets of Guardian Auto Glass
Safelite Group has acquired substantially all of the vehicle glass repair and replacement assets of Guardian
Auto Glass LLC, a joint venture of Guardian Industries
Corp. and LRST LLC.
Additionally, Safelite Group also acquired the vehicle
glass insurance claims management assets of Guardian
Glass Network, not including its RV glass claims man-
©2013 Sika Corporation. All rights reserved.
>
agement operations. The acquisition is part of an international deal of the Belron Group, which includes the
purchase of the vehicle glass business of Guardian in
Spain.
Guardian Auto Glass currently includes approximately
253 employees in 60 retail locations throughout the U.S.
Guardian Auto Glass provides vehicle glass repair and replacement services in 12 states with a heavy emphasis in
Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia and Florida. Guardian Auto
Glass’ management team is assisting in the transition.
Guardian Glass Network operates its vehicle glass
claims administration operation in Worthington, Ohio,
and has 21 employees, 13 of whom will join Safelite Solutions. The remaining Guardian Glass Network employees will continue to operate the RV glass claims
program.
“Safelite is committed to its retail auto glass and insurance claims businesses as demonstrated by its dynamic growth in recent years,” says Mike Morrison,
president of Guardian Automotive. “Our people are joining another established brand with a history of growth
and a long term focus on the retail automotive glass
business.”
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PRODUCT NEWS
Carlex Notifies Customers
of Non-Safety Issue
Carlex has alerted its customers about a non-safety related quality issue on some Carlite DW001529 GTY/GBY
product, which might show an increased rate of cracking
during installation.
“The issue is limited to a small percentage of windshields
produced by DOT 287 with date codes 2AB, 2AC and 3E,”
explains Don Michelotti, Carlex executive vice president.
“These windshields can continue to be installed in the
field as there is no safety issue with the product. Although
the rate of cracking is very low, it exceeds Carlex’s internal quality standards.
Michelotti stresses that the affected product is safe to
install, saying it “was validated with safety testing at the
time of manufacture per industry standards and retested
by Carlex to confirm that all products meet or exceed all
FMVSS and ANSI safety requirements.”
Once a root-cause analysis has been completed and
corrective action has been taken by the sub-supplier, Car■
lex will resume manufacturing.
Made in America.
Used in America.
Widest range of Auto Glass Replacement
Adhesive in the market. Over 100 years of
continuous product innovation. Fully AGRSS®
compliant systems. Unparalleled customer
support and service to the field. And yes,
products made in America, and also used
by OEM’s. Make the right choice.
Stick with the leader.
For more information call
800.688.7452 or visit us online
at www.sikausa.com.
Follow us on
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Getting Business
DONE
RIGHT
T
he Annual AGRR™ Buyer’s Guide
A&I Products
1020 22nd Ave.
P.O. Box 8
Rock Valley, IA 51247
712/476-4132 (P)
712/476-4236 (F)
www.aiproducts.com
A.N. Designs
Inc./UltraWiz
111 Putter Lane
Torrington, CT 06790-4632
860/482-2921 (P)
860/482-8585 (F)
800/227-7694 (P)
800/456-8393 (F)
www.banom.com
510/217-9669 (F)
www.datatranz.com
BTB Auto Glass and
Body Shop Tools
P.O. Box 1549
2016 Borneman Ave.
Elkhart, IN 46515-1549
574/294-6989 (P)
574/294-7599 (F)
www.dcmco.com
1B Wood St.
Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
3550
613/5443-1755 (P)
613/5441-5263 (F)
www.btbtools.com
Burco Inc.
2936 South Wilson Ct.
Grand Rapids, MI 49534
888/253-2593 (P)
616/453-5777 (F)
www.burcoinc.com
Aegis Tools
International Inc.
Ste. M
Fitchburg, WI 53719
608/274-9254 (P)
608/274-9395 (F)
www.aegistools.com
AGC Automotive
Americas
800 Cross Pointe Rd.
Ste. I
Gahanna, OH 43230
614/322-4580 (P)
614/575-2047 (F)
www.us.agc.com
2503 East Vernon Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90058-1897
323/588-1281 (P)
800/262-3299 (F)
www.crlaurence.com/automotive
Carlex
Nashville, TN 37209
734/634-8945 (P)
www.carlex.com or
www.carlite.com
Clean Plus Inc./
CPI Divisions
138 E. Main St.
P.O. Box 678
West Concord, MN 55985
507/527-2233 (P)
507/527-2308 (F)
www.cpidivisions.com
Amorginos & Barrows P.A. Coach Glass
234 N. Westmonte Dr.
Ste. 1040
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
407/703-5300 (P)
407/513-4100 (F)
www.glassattorneys.com
Applied Surface
Technologies
740 Pierce St.
Waterloo, WI 53594
920/478-2969 (P)
920/478-3843 (F)
www.appliedsurfacetech.com
1400 Cross St.
Eugene, OR 97402
541/684-7868 (P)
888/714-7171 (F)
www.coachglass.com
DCM Company
Delta Kits Inc.
512/388-7715 (P)
512/388-4188 (F)
www.equalizer.com
Fein Power Tools Inc.
Digital Business
Controls
623 East 2100 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
801/413-1836 (P)
801/413-1839 (F)
www.dbcontrols.com
DINOL
8520 Cotter St.
Lewis Center, OH 43035
740/548-1656 (P)
740/548-1657 (F)
www.dinol.com
DONMAR Sunroofs
& Accessories
7980 Bayberry Rd.
Jacksonville, FL 32256
904/731-3393 (P)
904/731-0004 (F)
www.donmar.com
Dow Automotive
Systems
E-Mail
I<
<
Gold Glass Group
545-4 Johnson Ave.
Bohemia, NY 11716
631/981-4277 (P)
631/981-4299 (F)
www.gggcorp.com
GTS
1030 Alcon St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
800/441-9878 (P)
412/922-8767 (F)
www.feinus.com
11481 S.W. Hall Blvd.
Ste. 100
Portland, OR 97223
800/209-2369 (P)
503/624-0433 (F)
www.gtsservices.com
Glass Bot/
Nelson Glass Tools
Guardian
Automotive Products
P.O. Box 171
Garden Valley, CA 95633
530/748-8880 (P)
www.glassbot.net
Glass Doctor
P.O. Box 3146
317 Bosque
Waco, TX 76707
800/280-9858 (P)
254/745-5098 (F)
www.glassdoctor.com
Glass Mechanix
460 West 9000 South
Sandy, UT 84070
800/826-8523 (P)
801/566-9625 (F)
www.glassmechanix.com
Glass Pro Systems
1116 Deanna Dr.
Rockford, IL 61103
815/713-4480 (P)
815/713-2030 (F)
www.glassprosystems.com
Glass Technology Inc.
264 Davidson Creek Rd.
Durango, CO 81301
970/247-9374 (P)
970/247-9375 (F)
www.gtglass.com
GlasWeld
20578 Empire Ave.
Bend, OR 97701
541/388-1156 (P)
541/388-1157 (F)
www.glasweld.com
Glaxis
37 Acrewoods Place
>
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The Woodlands, TX 77382
412/434-2790 (P)
Equalizer Industries Inc. 412/434-4080 (F)
www.glaxissolutions.com
2611 Oakmont Dr.
Diamon-Fusion
International
9361 Irvine Blvd.
Ste. F
Irvine, CA 92618
949/529-3029 (P)
www.dfisolutions.com
–
Our latest AGRR™ directory provides guidance for those in search of industry supplies
ranging from adhesives to windshield repair
items to software and more. The guide is designed to help you fulfill your business needs.
Over the next pages you will see companies’
contact information as well a list of the products, services and tools they offer.
9508 - 45 Ave.
780/436-3251 (P)
780/438-5915 (F)
1250 Harmon Rd.
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
800/453-3779 (P)
Curved Glass Distributors 937/254-5125 (F)
Auto Glass Installer
72 Chapel St.
www.DowARG.com
LLC, The
Derby, CT 06418
P.O. Box 606
800/243-6546 (P)
Houma, LA 70361
eDirectGlass
203/735-3623 (F)
800/614-2243 (P)
8687 E. Via De Ventura
www.curvedglassdist.com
985/575-3160 (F)
Ste. 311
www.theautoglassinstaller.com Data Tranz
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
P.O. BOX 605
480/993-0915 (P)
Banom Inc.
Valley City, ND 58072
480/422-9085 (F)
3103 Phoenixville Pike
800/241-1493 (P)
www.edirectglass.com
Malvern, PA 19355- 8643
14
Archives
+
P.O. Box 26509
Eugene, OR 97402
541/345-8554 (P)
541/345-1591 (F)
www.deltakits.com
Creative Extruded
Products
Tipp City, OH 45371
937/667-4485 (P)
937/667-3647 (F)
www.creativeextruded.com
Zoom Fit
2040 Production Dr.
Findlay, OH 45840
800/331-8403 (P)
419/396-3601 (F)
www.guardianaftermarket.com
HSG Code Blue/
Pro Glass Alliance
14 East Main St., 4th Floor
Springfield, OH 45502
715/830-6071 (P)
www.proglassalliance.com
IBS Software
1221 Harrison St.
Kansas City, MO 64106
816/471-0150 (P)
816/423-8670 (F)
www.ibssoftware.com
Induction
Innovations Inc.
1175 Jansen Farm Ct.
Elgin, IL 60123
877/688-6933 (P)
847/551-3369 (F)
www.theinductor.com
InstaEtch - VIN
Etching Systems
624 E Iris Ct.
Gilbert, AZ 85296
602/481-9444 (P)
888/854-5534 (F)
www.instaetch.com
Kryger Glass
1221 Harrison St.
Kansas City, MO 64106
816/471-6944 (P)
www.krygerglass.com
www.agrrmag.com
>I
Product Information
Mainstreet Computers Inc.
330 Charles St.
Belleville, MI 48111
800/698-6246 (P)
734/697-8228 (F)
www.mainstreetcomp.com
Contents
888/686-1099 (P)
316/263-0415 (F)
www.northstarautomotive
glass.com
OE Tech
3440 Centerpoint Dr.
Urbancrest, OH 43123
614/801-5900 (P)
614/801-5955 (F)
www.oetech.biz
Majestic Auto Glass
833 W 47th Place
Chicago, IL 60609
773/796-5222 (P)
773/847-6835 (F)
www.majesticag.com
Meritool
P.O. Box 54
Ellicottville, NY 14731
716/699-6005 (P)
716/699-6337 (F)
www.meritool.com
Mitchell International
(NAGS)
9889 Willow Creek Rd.
San Diego, CA 92131
853/368-7777 (P)
858/653-5447 (F)
http://glass.mitchell.com
Monument Tools
12077 East Laurel Lane
Scottsdale, AZ 85259
480/451-5204 (P)
480/451-5488 (F)
www.monumenttoolsinc.com
1 Razor Blade Lane
Verona, VA 24482
540/248-1683 (P)
540/248-7122 (F)
www.personnablades.com
See our ad on page C4
Pilkington
3440 Centerpoint Dr.
Urbancrest, OH 43123
614/801-5 (P)
614/801-5955 (F)
www.pilkington.com/en/us/
automotive
Pipe Knife Co., The
2155 Tabor Dr.
Lakewood, CO 80215
303/232-8788 (P)
303/232-8789 (F)
www.pipeknife.com
Mygrant Glass
1190 E. Stanford Ct.
Anaheim, CA 92805
714/704-3910 (P)
714/956-7421 (F)
www.mygrantglass.com
4611 Camp Phillips Rd.
Schofield, WI 54476
715/359-0829 (P)
715/359-7950 (F)
www.prp.com
SRP
12800 Highway 13
Ste. 500
Savage, MN 55378
952/946-0450 (P)
952/946-0461 (F)
www.shatrproof.com
1145 Towbin Ave.
Lakewood, NJ 08701
732/905-1100 (P)
732/905-0987 (F)
www.windshieldrepairburs.com
Sunroof Express/
Night Watchman Co.
2696 American Dr.
Troy, MI 48083
248/654-4000 (P)
248/654-4011 (F)
sunroofexpress.com
Swarf Buster
9044 Kelly Lake Dr.
Clarkston, MI 48348-2590
248/274-1111 (P)
248/274-1111 (F)
www.swarfbuster.com
2458 I-70 Business Loop
#B-1
Grand Junction, CO 81501
800/398-2663 (P)
970/216-1786 (F)
www.ultrabond.com
Unruh Fab Inc.
Auto Glass
Adhesive Systems
DINOL
Dow Automotive Systems
Equalizer Industries Inc.
Kryger Glass
Majestic Auto Glass
Mygrant Glass
OE Tech
Pilkington
Sika Corp.
SRP
Sealants, Urethane
DINOL
Kryger Glass
Majestic Auto Glass
Meritool
Mygrant Glass
OE Tech
Pilkington
Sika Corp.
Tapes, Glass
Clean Plus Inc./CPI Divisions
Gold Glass Group
Kryger Glass
Majestic Auto Glass
Mygrant Glass
OE Tech
Pilkington
Tapes, Mirror-Mounting
Kryger Glass
Majestic Auto Glass
Pilkington
Auto Glass
Bullet Resistant
NordGlass
Pilkington
Distributors
A&I Products
AGC Automotive Americas
Carlex
P.O. Box 996
Majestic Auto Glass
National Glass Brokers Andover, MA 01810
Mygrant Glass
978/975-5400 (P)
3115 Fry Rd.
Wood’s Powr-Grip Co., Inc. NordGlass
978/975-5300 (F)
Ste. 302
Pilkington
P.O. Box 368
www.prosourceglass.com
Katy, TX 77449
908 West Main
281/599-1550 (P)
Foreign
Laurel, MT 59044
281/599-8158 (F)
800/548-7341 (P)
www.nationalglassbrokers.com
Guardian Automotive Products
406/628-8354 (F)
Kryger Glass
Rolladeck Industries
Newborn Caulk Guns
www.powrgrip.com
Majestic Auto Glass
3467 Gillot Blvd.
8221 Preston Ct.
Mygrant Glass
Port Charlotte, FL 33981
Xinyi Auto Glass (North NordGlass
Ste. D
941-467-0790 (P)
America) Corp.
Jessup, MD 20794
Pilkington
941-474-6484 (F)
3601 Highway 7
301/604-1500 (P)
Pro Source Glass International
www.rolladeck.net
301/604-7950 (F)
Ste. 702-704
Xinyi Auto Glass
See
our
ad
on
page
33
www.NewbornCaulkGuns.com
Markham, Ontario L3R 0M3
(North America) Corp.
905/947-8801 (P)
NordGlass
Franchises
905/947-8892 (F)
NordGlass Sp. z o.o
Glass Doctor
www.xinyiglass.ca
ul. Bohaterow Warszawy 11
Sika Corp.
Koszalin, 75-211
Yih-Tair Industrial Inc. Hard-to-Find
A&I Products
30800 Stephenson Hwy.
+4894-3465-739 (P)
5536 Business Park Dr.
Coach Glass
Madison Heights, MI 48071
www.nordglass.com
San
Antonio,
TX
78218
Majestic Auto Glass
248/577-0020 (P)
877/975-5554 (P)
Mygrant Glass
248/577-0810 (F)
Northstar
210/310-0982 (F)
Pilkington
www.sikaindustry.com
Automotive Glass
Pro Source Glass
www.noshortcutstosafety.com www.flexlinemoldings.com
1340 N. Mosley
International
See our ad on pages 12-13
Wichita, KS 67214
www.agrrmag.com
Pro Source Glass
International
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Adhesive/Sealants
Ultra Bond Inc.
Precision Replacement
Parts/Sales Office
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Category Listings
SS White Burs Inc.
Personna
MyGlassTruck.com
200 Acorn Rd.
Glassboro, NJ 8028
856/863-0900 (P)
856/863-6704 (F)
www.myglasstruck.com
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Zoom Fit
100 Industrial Dr.
Sedgwick, KS 67135
316/772-5400 (P)
316/772-5852 (F)
www.unruhfab.com
Sunroof Express/
Night Watchman Co.
Xinyi Auto Glass
Laminated Glass
Carlex
Kryger Glass
Majestic Auto Glass
Mygrant Glass
NordGlass
Pilkington
Xinyi Auto Glass
Mirrors, Rear View
Kryger Glass
Majestic Auto Glass
Mygrant Glass
Pilkington
Mirrors, Side View
Burco Inc.
Gold Glass Group
Kryger Glass
Majestic Auto Glass
Mygrant Glass
Pilkington
Networks, Larger
Companys, Chains
HSG Code Blue/
Pro Glass Alliance
Rear Sliders, Manual
Carlex
DONMAR Sunroofs
& Accessories
Kryger Glass
Majestic Auto Glass
Mygrant Glass
Pilkington
Xinyi Auto Glass (North
America) Corp.
Rear Sliders, Power
Carlex
DONMAR Sunroofs
& Accessories
Kryger Glass
Majestic Auto Glass
Mygrant Glass
Pilkington
RV Glass
Coach Glass
NordGlass
Pilkington
Sunroofs
Carlex
DONMAR Sunroofs
& Accessories
Majestic Auto Glass
NordGlass
Pilkington
Sunroof Express/
Night Watchman Co.
Xinyi Auto Glass
15
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AGRR™ Buyer’s Guide
continued from page 15
Creative Extruded Products
Equalizer Industries, Inc.
Gold Glass Group
Tempered Parts
Kryger Glass
Majestic Auto Glass
Carlex
Mygrant Glass
Kryger Glass
OE Tech
Majestic Auto Glass
Pilkington
Mygrant Glass
Precision Replacement
NordGlass
Parts/Sales Office
Pilkington
Pro
Source Glass International
Pro Source Glass International
Xinyi Auto Glass
Xinyi Auto Glass
T-Tops
Sunroof Express/
Night Watchman Co.
Van Glass
Majestic Auto Glass
NordGlass
Pilkington
Windshield Manufacturers
A&I Products
Carlex
Kryger Glass
NordGlass
Pilkington
Xinyi Auto Glass
Glass Handling and
Transportation
General
Banom Inc.
Glass Doctor
Kryger Glass
Majestic Auto Glass
Pilkington
Wood’s Powr-Grip Co. Inc.
Glass Hauler Bodies
Unruh Fab Inc.
Handling Equipment
Aegis Tools International
Auto Glass Installer LLC, The
Auto Glass Related
Banom Inc.
Products
BTB Auto Glass and
Accessories
Body Shop Tools
BTB Auto Glass and
Body Shop Tools
Majestic Auto Glass
OE Tech
Clean Plus Inc./CPI Divisions Pilkington
DINOL
Pipe Knife Co., The
Rolladeck Industries
Gold Glass Group
Unruh Fab Inc.
InstaEtch - VIN
Etching Systems
Packaging
Kryger Glass
Majestic Auto Glass
Mygrant Glass
Pilkington
OE Tech
Rack Pads
Pilkington
Sika Corp.
SRP
Majestic Auto Glass
Alarm Systems
Unruh Fab Inc.
InstaEtch - VIN
Rack Trucks
Etching Systems
Unruh Fab Inc.
Automotive Mirror
Guardian Automotive Products Racks
Burco Inc.
Majestic Auto Glass
Mygrant Glass
Pilkington
Majestic Auto Glass
Mastics for Mirrors
Mygrant Glass
Pilkington
Clean Plus Inc./CPI Divisions Pipe Knife Co., The
Unruh Fab Inc.
Mouldings
A&I Products
Storage
Clean Plus Inc./CPI Divisions Unruh Fab Inc.
Coach Glass
16
Trucks
Glass Doctor
Kryger Glass
Unruh Fab Inc.
Unloaders
Wood’s Powr-Grip Co., Inc.
Information Sources
Associations
Glass Doctor
Majestic Auto Glass
Exhibitions
Majestic Auto Glass
Pilkington
Information Resources
Amorginos & Barrows P.A.
Glass Doctor
Majestic Auto Glass
Labor Management
Glass Doctor
Publications
Majestic Auto Glass
Pilkington
Ultra Bond Inc.
Standards
InstaEtch - VIN
Etching Systems
Digital Business Controls
eDirectGlass
Glass Doctor
GTS
IBS Software
Auto Glass Related
Auto Glass Installer LLC, The
Data Tranz
eDirectGlass
Glass Doctor
GLAXIS
GTS
InstaEtch - VIN
Etching Systems
Mygrant Glass
EDI
Data Tranz
eDirectGlass
GTS
IBS Software
Mitchell International (NAGS)
Mygrant Glass
EDI/e-Commerce
Data Tranz
eDirectGlass
Glaxis
GTS
Pilkington
GTS
IBS Software
Mygrant Glass
Pricing
Data Tranz
eDirectGlass
Glass Doctor
GTS
Quality Control
eDirectGlass
Glass Doctor
Window Film
Windshield Cutting
Windshield Repair
Data Tranz
eDirectGlass
GTS
IBS Software
Tools and Supplies
Caulking Guns
BTB Auto Glass and
Body Shop Tools
Estimating
DINOL
eDirectGlass
Glass Doctor
GTS
Kryger Glass
Mitchell
International
(NAGS)
Majestic Auto Glass
Website
Meritool
Auto Glass Installer LLC, The General Business
Newborn Caulk Guns
BTB Auto Glass and
OE Tech
Body Shop Tools
eDirectGlass
Pilkington
Delta Kits, Inc.
Glass Doctor
Pipe Knife Co., The
Glass Doctor
GTS
Glass Mechanix
InstaEtch - VIN
Cleaner, Glass
Etching Systems
GlasWeld
Burco Inc.
GTS
Mitchell International (NAGS) C.R. Laurence Co. Inc.
Kryger Glass
Pilkington
Glass Cutting
Majestic Auto Glass
Kryger Glass
Mygrant Glass
Majestic Auto Glass
Pilkington
OE Tech
Glass Fabrication Related
Ultra Bond Inc.
Pilkington
Sika Corp.
GTS
Machinery/Equipment
SRP
Screen Printing Machinery
Optimization
InstaEtch - VIN
Glass Labeling Products
Etching Systems
eDirectGlass
InstaEtch - VIN
Etching Systems
Plastics and Alternative InstaEtch - VIN
Etching Systems
Pilkington
Glazing Materials
Polycarbonate
Window Film and
Majestic Auto Glass
Coatings
Point of Sale
Pilkington
Data Tranz
Auto Film
Software
eDirectGlass
Majestic Auto Glass
Accounting
Glass Doctor
Data Tranz
Training
Amorginos & Barrows P.A.
Delta Kits, Inc.
Glass Doctor
Glass Mechanix
GlasWeld
GTS
Majestic Auto Glass
Ultra Bond Inc.
>
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Coatings, Water Repellant
Applied Surface Technologies
Diamon-Fusion International
GlasWeld
Ultra Bond Inc.
Security Film
InstaEtch - VIN
Etching Systems
SRP
Windshield Repair
Products
Burs
Delta Kits Inc.
Glass Pro Systems
Majestic Auto Glass
OE Tech
SS White Burs Inc.
Ultra Bond Inc.
Contents
Glass Mechanix
Glass Pro Systems
GlasWeld
Induction Innovations Inc.
InstaEtch - VIN
Etching Systems
Majestic Auto Glass
Meritool
OE Tech
Personna
SRP
Ultra Bond Inc.
Headlight Protection
Delta Kits Inc.
GlasWeld
Majestic Auto Glass
OE Tech
SRP
Moisture Removal Tools
Delta Kits Inc.
Equipment
Glass Mechanix
Glass Pro Systems
Clean Plus Inc./CPI Divisions GlasWeld
Delta Kits Inc.
Yo
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Majestic Auto Glass
OE Tech
Ultra Bond Inc.
Resins
BTB Auto Glass and
Body Shop Tools
Delta Kits Inc.
Glass Mechanix
Glass Pro Systems
GlasWeld
Kryger Glass
Majestic Auto Glass
OE Tech
Pilkington
SRP
Ultra Bond Inc.
Scratch Removal Systems
GlasWeld
Majestic Auto Glass
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Kryger Glass
Majestic Auto Glass
OE Tech
UV Curing Lamps
Personna
Pilkington
Pipe Knife Co., The
Clean Plus Inc./CPI Divisions Wood’s Powr-Grip Co. Inc.
Delta Kits Inc.
Windshield Repair
Glass Mechanix
Systems and Supplies
Glass Pro Systems
BTB Auto Glass and
GlasWeld
Body Shop Tools
Kryger Glass
Majestic Auto Glass
OE Tech
Delta Kits Inc.
SRP
Ultra Bond Inc.
Glass Mechanix
Glass Pro Systems
Windshield Removal Tool
A.N. Designs Inc./UltraWiz
GlasWeld
BTB Auto Glass and
Kryger Glass
Body Shop Tools
Majestic Auto Glass
OE Tech
Clean Plus Inc./CPI Divisions Personna
Pilkington
SRP
Glass Bot/Nelson Glass Tools Ultra Bond Inc.
■
OE Tech
SRP
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Distribution Centers:
Where Are They?
For our special Buyer’s Guide
edition, AGRR™ magazine editors
reached out to automotive glass
aftermarket distribution companies
throughout the country to compile a list
and map of distribution centers. If your company
was not listed here and you would like to be added for our
next edition, please email Jenna Reed at [email protected].
Distribution Map Key
AGC Automotive America: Blue
Carlex: Lilac
Majestic: Teal
18
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Mygrant: Black
NSG Pilkington: Yellow
PGW: Fuscia
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DISTRIBUTION:
The Lifeblood of the AGRR Industry
By Jenna Reed
www.agrrmag.com
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DISTRIBUTION:
Alaska
Anchorage
NSG Pilkington
Alabama
Birmingham
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Dothan
PGW
Mobile
NSG Pilkington
PGW
PGW
Montgomery
NSG Pilkington
PGW
R
eady to meet the needs of companies throughout North
America—aftermarket automotive glass distribution centers are the backbone of the AGRR industry. They often
serve to fill inventory gaps, operating as virtual warehouses
for automotive glass shops. With the click of a few buttons,
a glass shop professional can hone in on the necessary windshield that
he needs for the customer and schedule its arrival at the location.
The national network of arteries feeding glass to the industry ebb and
flow, meaning both contraction and growth.
Consolidation— and Expansion
In late November, Guardian Automotive announced it was exiting the
distribution business.
“The aftermarket distribution business continues to be very competitive,” said Scott Billings, director of Guardian’s automotive distribution
operations. “Guardian will have a continuing role in the aftermarket
business, but it will be a model we believe can deliver sustainable growth
for Guardian and our customers.”
Three locations, including those in Plymouth, Mich.; Cincinnati,
Ohio; and Lanham, Md.; were sold to Mygrant Glass.
Meanwhile, the company’s two centers in Ellenwood, Ga., and Charlotte, N.C., went to Wholesale Glass Distributors and the Denver, Colo.,
facility was sold to Dakotaland.
Five other Guardian distribution centers ceased operation in late November and liquidated. These locations included: Beckley, W.V.; Tampa,
Fla.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Tuscon, Ariz.; and Portland, Ore.
Guardian officials said they will continue to provide factory direct
bulk and truckload sales, as well as RV and specialty glass distribution
services from a dedicated location.
“ We r e c e i v e d a i l y
texts from customers
and also communicate
with our sales people
and customers via text
a great deal. Twitter
and other forms of
social media have
become an almost
‘got to have’ item to
b e i n t h e a u t o m o t i v e Others Set Sites on Growth
While Guardian Automotive was busy divesting of distribution, Myglass business.”
grant Glass spent much of the year scooping up and opening new loca—Jim Ricci,
Majestic Auto Glass
Arkansas
Little Rock
North Little Rock
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Arizona
Flagstaff
NSG Pilkington
Gilbert
NSG Pilkington
Mesa
Mygrant Glass
Phoenix
Tempe
20
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington (2)
PGW
Mygrant Glass
>
tions, including those acquired from Guardian.
“We’ve done a lot of expansion over the year, including into New Jersey,” said Paul Anaya, national sales and marketing manager. “Other
company cultures [such as Guardian] have been married into our culture. This is what makes us so special. It’s been a pretty good year for us.
We’re looking forward to 2014.”
Anaya says Mygrant invested a lot into itself in 2013.
“We’re excited about the Guardian acquisitions and hope to have a
stronger year,” he said.
Technology Shifts Communication
As the scope of what technology can offer expands around the globe,
this is impacting the distribution business as well. Wireless connectivity
means less paperwork, according to Anaya, who said his company is
launching paperless invoicing.
“We’ve done a lot with our technology,” Anaya said. “We’re excited and
have a lot invested in our company. We have a lot of work put into our
equipment and our computerization of inventory systems.”
The company is one of the first to offer this paperless service, he noted.
Majestic Auto Glass, a Chicago-based distributor, has also found some
unique ways to cater to its customers.
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“Over the past few years the industry has evolved into a more mobile
and more technologically-centered industry. What I mean by this is that
there are fewer brick and mortar shops and more people working almost
exclusively on a mobile platform,” explained Jim Ricci, general manager
of Majestic. “This has been fueled in part by some of the major installers
instituting a program of buying glass and contracting with installers to
put it in. This leads to those installers buying glass on their own now and
soliciting business.”
Smartphone and tablets are becoming some of the key tools of the
trade, as well, he highlighted.
“We all need to be ready for this. … We receive daily texts from customers and also communicate with our salespeople and customers via
text a great deal,” he added. “Twitter and other forms of social media
have become an almost ‘got to have’ item to be in the automotive glass
business. The Internet brings a wealth of knowledge. Just look at how
Google has changed how we look up information. It’s one of the more
widely used apps on my iPad for sure,” Ricci explained.
What Tomorrow May Bring
There seemed to be a general agreement that 2013 was not the best
year for business.
“2013 was an okay year,” Anaya said. “It probably was not the best
year. But it was a good year. We’re really looking forward to 2014. We’re
hoping fuel prices drop, creating more miles driven. The more people
drive the more chances there are for breakage.
“I’m hopeful 2014 will pick up. The economy will dictate a lot of this.
We feel like we bring a lot to the table,” he added.
Officials at Pittsburgh Glass Works (PGW) see 2014 as a year of growth,
albeit at a slow pace.
“The ever increasing rate of repairs is affecting growth in replacements,” said Brian Bauer, vice president of sales for PGW.
Bauer believes consumers will become more interested in safety and
how windshields are installed as time progresses.
“Concerns about the safety risks of improperly installed windshields
will capture more of the public’s interest,” he said.
Distribution companies should step up to help take the lead in the
education process, he stressed.
The competitive nature of the marketplace will continue to have an
impact going into 2014, PGW officials noted.
“Competitive pressures on glass install prices will continue to drive
global sourcing for distributors,” Bauer said.
He sees the market continuing to migrate to “thinner glass to reduce
vehicle weight and drive better mileage.”
Carlex, meanwhile, has seen demand for much of its product grow
and hopes this will continue into the future, according to Tim Siterlet,
the company’s central region sales manager and marketing manager.
“The demand and production of Carlite® SoundScreen® Acoustic Glass
has increased dramatically since 2007 when it was initially introduced in
the Ford Escape. Today Ford Motor Co. is a leader in the offering of acoustic
glass, which is now standard in nearly all of the company’s models.
With the use of acoustic glass growing, Carlex forecasts growth ahead.
While the future of the distribution business might not be clear, officials sure are optimistic. And they agreed, their business is necessary for
the AGRR industry.
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Tolleson
Mygrant Glass
Tucson
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
PGW
California
Anaheim
Mygrant Glass
Bakersfield
Mygrant Glass
Chula Vista
Mygrant Glass
City of Commerce
Compton
NSG Pilkington
Mygrant Glass
Mygrant Glass
Concord
PGW
Frensno
Mygrant Glass
Hayward
Mygrant Glass
Los Angeles
PGW
Martinez
Mygrant Glass
Oakland
Mygrant Glass
Palm Springs
Mygrant Glass
Riverside
Mygrant Glass
Sacramento
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
PGW
San Diego
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
PGW
San Fernando
Mygrant Glass
San Francisco
Mygrant Glass
San Jose
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
Santa Clara
Stockton
PGW
Mygrant Glass
Ventura
PGW
21
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DISTRIBUTION:
Riviera Beach
Colorado
Colorado Springs
Grand Junction
Bloomfied
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
PGW
PGW
Mygrant Glass
“ We ’ v e d o n e a l o t
of expansion over
t h e y e a r, i n c l u d i n g
i n t o N e w J e r s e y.
Other company
cultures have been
married into our
culture [such as
Guardian]. This is
what makes us so
special.”
— Pa u l A n a ya ,
Mygrant Glass
Connecticut
Hartford
West Hartford
PGW
PGW
Tampa
Mygrant Glass
PGW
Lafayette
PGW
Metarie
PGW
NSG Pilkington
Georgia
Atlanta
NSG Pilkington
Shreveport
Norcross
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
PGW
West Monroe
PGW
NSG Pilkington
Maine
Westbrook
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Iowa
Davenport
Des Moines
PGW
NSG Pilkington
Idaho
Boise
Idaho Falls
Chicago
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Massachusetts
Boston
PGW
PGW
Methuen
Mygrant Glass
Randolph
Mygrant Glass
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
Worcester
NSG Pilkington
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Majestic Auto Glass
Maryland
Baltimore
Elmhurst
Glendale Heights
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
PGW
PGW
NSG Pilkington
Lanham
Mygrant Glass
Mygrant Glass
Michigan
NSG Pilkington
Peoria
Fort Lauderdale
NSG Pilkington
New Orleans
Northlake
Florida
Doral
Tallahassee
NSG Pilkington
PGW
PGW
Illinois
NSG Pilkington
Delaware
Claymont
Louisiana
Baton Rouge
Savannah
Denver
Mygrant Glass
PGW
Mygrant Glass
PGW
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Grand Rapids
NSG Pilkington
Lansing
PGW
Livonia
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Indiana
Jacksonville
Miami
Orlando
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Mygrant Glass
PGW
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Fort Wayne
Indianapolis
South Bend
22
PGW
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Plymouth Township
NSG Pilkington
Royal Oak
NSG Pilkington
Saginaw
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Traverse City
NSG Pilkington
Kentucky
Louisville
Pensacola
PGW
NSG Pilkington
PGW
>
Mygrant Glass
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Walker
PGW
La Vista
Warren
PGW
Nebraska
Omaha
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PGW
NSG Pilkington
Minnesota
Bloomington
PGW
New Hampshire
Londonberry
Burnsville
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Syracuse
Salem
PGW
Duluth
PGW
Fridley
Mygrant Glass
New Jersey
Belleville
East Rutherford
New Brighton
Mygrant Glass
South St. Paul
PGW
Pennsauken
Missouri
Maryland Heights
PGW
North Kansas City
PGW
Springfield
NSG Pilkington
Vineland
Majestic Auto Glass
Vinita Park
NSG Pilkington
Mississippi
Jackson
Pearl
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Columbus
PGW
Missoula
PGW
North Carolina
Charlotte
Las Vegas
Reno
NSG Pilkington
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Greensboro
Mygrant Glass
Morrisville
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Mygrant Glass
Mygrant Glass
Urbancrest
NSG Pilkington
“Competitive
pressures on glass
install prices will
continue to drive
global sourcing
for distributors.”
— B r i a n B a u e r, P G W
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
PGW
PGW
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
Valley View
NSG Pilkington
Warrensville Heights
AGC Automotive
Americas
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Mygrant Glass
Tulsa
New York
Brooklyn
Mygrant Glass
Buffalo
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Corona
Mygrant Glass
Hauppauge
Port Chester
Raleigh
Macedonia
Nevada
PGW
Montana
Billings
Farmington
Subscribe
Akron
Cincinnati
New Mexico
Albuquerque
Rochester
>
PGW
NSG Pilkington
Lakewood
<
Ohio
PGW
NSG Pilkington
NSG Pilkington
I<
NSG Pilkington
PGW
NSG Pilkington
Coon Rapids
St. Louis
+
NSG Pilkington
PGW
PGW
Oregon
Eugene
PGW
Medford
PGW
Portland
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Pennsylvania
Kingston
Mygrant Glass
Lancaster
NSG Pilkington
Lemoyne
PGW
PGW
NSG Pilkington
PGW
North Dakota
Fargo
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PGW
Staten Island
Mygrant Glass
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DISTRIBUTION:
Pittsburgh
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Sewickley
Mygrant Glass
Warminster
Mygrant Glass
PGW
“The aftermarket
distribution
business continues
to be very
c o m p e t i t i ve.
Guardian will have
a continuing role
in the aftermarket
business, but it
will be a model we
believe can deliver
sustainable growth
for Guardian and
our customers.”
Memphis
Nashville
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Texas
Amarillo
Austin
Beaumont
El Paso
Fort Worth
Houston
— S c o t t B i l l i n g s , Irving
Guardian
Longview
NSG Pilkington
PGW
NSG Pilkington
South Carolina
Columbia
Florence
Greenville
NSG Pilkington
PGW
PGW
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Myrtle Beach
NSG Pilkington
North Charleston
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Tennessee
Chattanooga
NSG Pilkington
Knoxville
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Carlex
Lebanon
24
Williston
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
Everett
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Kent
NSG Pilkington
Pasco
NSG Pilkington
NSG Pilkington
PGW
PGW
NSG Pilkington
NSG Pilkington
PGW
NSG Pilkington
Utah
Mygrant Glass
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Virginia
Cheseapeake
NSG Pilkington
NSG Pilkington
PGW
PGW
Ashland
Springfield
PGW
Odessa
Alexandria
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Auburn
PGW
Salt Lake City
Roanoke
Washington
McAllen
Texarkana
NSG Pilkington
PGW
NSG Pilkington
PGW
San Antonio
Richmond
Vermont
Lubbock
Richardson
NSG Pilkington
NSG Pilkington
PGW
Rhode Island
Cranston
Norfolk
Virginia Beach
PGW
Mygrant Glass
PGW
Seattle
Mygrant Glass
Spokane
NSG Pilkington
Spokane Valley
Mygrant Glass
Tacoma
Mygrant Glass
Wisconsin
Brookfield
NSG Pilkington
Madison
PGW
Milwaukee
PGW
West Virginia
Charleston
Poca
>
NSG Pilkington
PGW ■
Calling all distribution
companies: If your centers are
not represented on this map and
listing, please email your
locations to [email protected]
for possible inclusion in our
distribution app.
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Auto Glass Week™ 2014
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Baltimore will “charm” you as the entire automotive glass industry gathers
together to share, learn and push company professionalism to the next level.
Join us October 7-9, 2014
Baltimore Convention Center
Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel
Baltimore, Maryland
Don’t be in a pinch and
wait until the last minute.
Plan now to be a part of
Auto Glass Week 2014!
Visit
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Blurred
Automotive Glass as an Interactive Experience
By Megan Headley and Jenna Reed
M
anufacturers are developing
new ways to turn the glass of
today into the interactive devices we mostly relegate to the arena of
science fiction. Many of the breakthroughs are being offered on the architectural glass side, but many of
these could soon carry over into automotive glass as well.
“It is a trend,” says Peter Bocko, glass
technologies CTO for Corning Inc. in
Corning, N.Y., of this movement toward
active and, in some cases, interactive
glass. “At this point, I’d say we’re focusing on creative collaborations with people who say ‘how is this going to fit in
what we call ‘environmental display?’”
While glass products have been in
demand for some time by the electronics industry (think touch screen),
the electronics are moving into other
applications.
“We’ve been involved in the electronics industry for quite some time
and there are myriad glass products,”
adds Stephen Weidner, vice president
at NSG Pilkington. Those include
touch screens and other elements that
Weidner points out are integral to the
electronic application. “We’re definitely seeing a blurring of the lines,” he
says. “I certainly see a growing trend
toward using more and more glass in
these new electronic types of applications, whether they’re touch screens or
interior or exterior or displays.”
Bocko says that making these touch
screens more ergonomic should be a first
priority, especially for use in vehicles.
“One of the things that I think is exciting is making the interactive display
conform to the environment instead of
having to conform the environment to
it,” he says.
He adds, “Some of the abilities we’re
looking at is glass that is more ergonomic. An area of early adoption
where we’re going to see that—and it’s
still a few years away—is in the automotive area.”
He says that touch screens will be a
common addition to windshields of
the future.
“Ideally there are no flat surfaces on
cars,” Bocko says. “Flat touch screens
that are used for driver/vehicle interactivity today are going to be curved as
they become larger in the future and
integrate more functionality. This
makes them more ergonomic and
safer, providing a uniform depth of
focus of content for the user.”
How Does This
Futuristic Glass Work?
The first key to understanding this
trend toward active glass is to stop thinking of glass as glass. Make sense so far?
As Weidner explains, “We don’t
make glass, we actually make a wire: a
flat transparent wire.”
The company’s transparent electrically conductive (TEC) product range
encompasses a number of products,
but the technology is fairly standard, or
so Weidner makes it sound. “We put
very thin films of different metal oxides
on the surface of the glass and really
transform that into a wire, just like the
back of your computer or something
you hook your iPhone up to. Instead of
being a little round bundle of copper,
the wire that we make is flat and it’s
transparent, but it conducts electricity.
For Bocko, glass has to be a conduit
for more than just electricity. “People
need to interact with displays not only
through sight but also by touch and by
sound,” he says.
The concept of haptics explains how
touch comes into play.
Also known as “touch feedback,” haptics is “the use of the sense of touch in a
Toyota’s Fun-Vii concept captures the wireless connectivity of the future. user interface design to provide information to an end user,” as mobileburn.com
“Vii” stands for vehicle, interactive and Internet.
26
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explains it. You might have encountered
this on your mobile phone, when you
push a touch screen button and feel a
slight vibration that gives the sensation of
having touched an actual button.
Haptics is particularly important to
the future in the automotive marketplace because automotive interior surfaces can become a touch screen, as
Bocko envisions.
“You’re trying to drive and press on a
touch screen—physical feedback lets
you know that you’ve done something
without looking at the screen and
being distracted. Haptics will be increasingly important for personal and
public displays as well,” he adds.
Bocko continues, “The potential of
thin engineered glass is [that of] a vivid
visual interface while incorporating
auditory and mechanical response to
create a more profound interactive experience.”
Ultimately, Bocko expects products
will emerge that can be retrofitted to ordinary glass to transform the way we
think about transparency. But how does
glass have to evolve before, say, it is used
in less traditional ways in vehicles?
“The ability to master all of the sensory inputs for emerging interactive
environmental displays is going to be
central to the movement beyond ordinary plate glass to engineered glass as
an environmental material in automotive and architectural applications,”
Bocko says.
Active glass, interactive displays, environmental displays—whatever term
you prefer to use to describe a vast
number of glass applications that “do
something”—have been popping up
for some years now. Switchable glazing,
which in some cases uses an electric
current to turn glass from transparent
to opaque, has been a popular face for
this trend in the automotive sector. And
www.agrrmag.com
one of the big products now hitting the
marketplace is suspended particle device (SPD) switchable glass.
Mercedes-Benz recently unveiled its
new S-Class Coupe concept at the
Frankfurt Auto Show, which features a
large panoramic sunroof with Research
Frontiers’ SPD-SmartGlass technology.
“With the touch of a button, drivers
and passengers can instantly change
the tint of their roof to help keep out
harsh sunlight and heat and create an
open-air feeling even when the sunroof is closed,” officials explained.
Mercedes-Benz officials have dubbed
the sunroof the “magic sky control.”
So how does it work? An SPD film is
enclosed between thin layers of glass
or plastic. Within this film are microscopic particles.
High Voltage
“When no electrical voltage is present, the particles absorb light and block
it from passing through the film. When
an electrical voltage is applied, the particles align so that light can pass
through. Adjusting the voltage to the
film provides a range of transparencies
(i.e. very dark to fully clear) where light
transmission can be rapidly varied to
any degree desired depending upon
preference or pre-programmed requirements,” according to the company.
Another company working on switchable glass is Guardian Automotive.
“Guardian, through its R&D efforts
has decided to go a different route as
more of a film-based technology based
off liquid crystals [for switchable
glass],” explains David Kaufman,
Guardian Automotive’s vice president
of sales and program management.
“We can demonstrate that particle
device liquid crystals (PDLC) has a superior durability to SPD under extreme climates.”
Magic Sky Control takes flight at
Detroit Auto Show in S-Class coupe
concept.
Kaufman also says the product’s response times are quick.
“And last, we feel we have a cost effective product that is going to enable
our customers to bring our product to a
production solution very soon,” he says.
In another new twist, LEDs are
being embedded in glass, according to
Matt Eder, a spokesperson for
Guardian Automotive.
“We have developed methods of
embedding LEDs into our laminated
glass. Exterior applications could include turn signals, center-high mount
stop lamps (CHMSL) and flashers on
emergency vehicles. In one instance,
the LEDs are used as turn signals,
emergency flashers and vehicle identification. We have also developed
methods of diffusing the light from
the LEDs, which creates unique, ambient lighting options for the interior
of a vehicle.”
Glass sensors are expected to play a
larger role going forward, according to
Brian Bauer, vice president of sales for
Pittsburgh Glass Works.
“More sensors are being employed
for rain, light, infra red cameras and vision cameras,” he points out.
Don Michelotti, executive vice president of Carlex, agrees, saying, “Glass
has become an integral part of the vehicles information system for improved
driver safety. The implementation of
high bean cameras, lane departure
cameras and heads up display in the
windshield are not uncommon in
today’s leading vehicles.
The many uses of glass in vehicles
appear endless. Interactive glass and
color-changing sidelites just touch the
surface of what is possible.
■
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TOP
10
Ways
TO STAY OUT
OF TROUBLE
Using Adhesive the Right Way
By Jamie Browning
M
any industry experts agree
that most important step in
automotive glass replacement is the proper adhesion of the urethane to the windshield and the part
that it is holding in place. AGRR™ magazine recently surveyed technicians and
adhesive manufacturers about their experience in the field. Technicians agree
that the proper and safe use of urethane
during installation is crucial to the
safety of the vehicle occupant.
Let’s take a look at some of the more
common problems as reported by
technicians and then look at proper
techniques to help prevent these issues
in the future, according to adhesive
manufacturers.
1. Proper Use of
Pinchweld Primer
Proper use of pinchweld primer tops
the list in doing things right the first
time. Adhesive manufacturers report
that, on average, it only takes about
three minutes to prime a pinchweld
properly. Misuse of primer can cause
adhesive to not bond with the pinchweld and can have long term consequences such as rust and corrosion.
“So many people have pinchwelds
that are completely rusted out,” according to Kevin Dvorak, owner of Clarity
28
Corrosion can be seen from a “plunge cut” where pinchweld primer was
not used.
Auto Glass in Kansas City, Mo. “The wire
tools are great, but you still make minor
scratches trimming down the urethane;
[you still] have to prime. It is a pleasant
surprise to cut out a windshield and
think the last guy did a good job.”
Close cutting can cause problems, including stress breaks, water leaks and
wind noise, according to adhesive
manufacturers. This practice seems to
be on a decline but is still being used
by some untrained technicians.
2. Prep the Glass Properly 4. Correct Adhesive Flow
Properly prepping the glass or part
to be bonded correctly is one of the
most important steps during an installation. Every adhesive manufacturer
has its own unique process of “prepping” the part to be installed. Release
agents, silicone, dust, pollen and oil
from hands and fingers are some contaminates commonly found on glass
and encapsulated parts. Improper prep
can cause a major problem and reduce
or destroy the seal between glass and
car, according to Chris Smith, shop
manager with Techna Glass in Salt Lake
City Utah. “I have seen several windows
that you can just push out with your
hand over the years because the urethane didn’t make contact to where the
primer/activator was applied,” he says.
3. Trim the Bead Correctly
Close cutting or partial close cutting, where the bottom bead is not
trimmed down, can impede proper installation. Close cutting avoids trimming down the original bead of
adhesive in order to save time and materials. Both automotive manufacturers and adhesive companies state that
the existing bead of urethane must be
trimmed to between 1 and 2 mm.
>
Make sure you use the correct
amount of adhesive. Using too little or
too much can be of major concern.
And this can be a contributing factor
for leaks, wind noise and stress breaks.
Urethane bead height impacts deck
height and proper deck height is important in securing moulding to the
windshield or pinchweld. Too much or
too little can also have safety implications in the deployment of air bags. For
example, too much adhesive can cause
the windshield frame to be too stiff and
cause the air bag to deploy prematurely in an accident. Too little adhesive could have the opposite effect.
5. Check Expiration Dates
Making sure your products are
within their shelf life is key when using
adhesive systems. If lot numbers and
expiration dates are not checked, it can
lead to adhesive that does not bond
properly, as many technicians can attest. Every adhesive has a different
shelf and “open” life so it’s important to
check the expiration dates before using
each product. Sometimes the expiration date is overlooked, which can lead
to safety and warranty issues immediately after the installation.
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ADHESIVE MANUFACTURERS WEIGH IN
Adhesive manufacturers offered their
advice on how to prevent some common
issues that could come up in installing
or repairing automotive glass.
Carl Tompkins, global marketing resources manager for Sika Corp., says covering all variables and documenting
training in high-level detail can help
avoid mistakes made during installations.
He starts all of his training sessions off
by saying, “Thank you for what you do for
a living, you save lives every day.”
“The highest risk and most common
mistake is in glass cleaning,” says
Tompkins, referencing proper preparation of the glass before installation. He
also says offering a better explanation
of safe drive away time to the customer
is important. “The driver should be informed by the customer service person
with the initial phone call and the technician before and after the job is complete,” he says. Proper rust and
corrosion are concerns, also, along with
using non-compatible products.
Joe Renzi, business manager with
Dinol, says that “reading, understanding
and applying the manufacturer’s instructions every day and on every job” leads
to safe windshields. Renzi, a 24-year veteran of the industry, says one of the most
common mistakes he sees is brushing off
the pinchweld after trimming the existing bead and not using the proper V bead
when applying urethane. He stresses the
importance of knowing the proper deck
height to ensure the correct height of the
windshield during installation.
Dale Malcom, technical manager for
Dow Automotive Systems’ Aftermarket
Division, also sees training as key. One
issue of concern for him is when technicians deviate from the manufacturer’s
guidelines.
“I don’t know if the auto glass industry breeds creative people or if creative
people are attracted to the industry,” he
says, referring to technicians’ ability to
be creative and problem-solve in the
field. “True training means spending
time educating the technician.”
He believes the industry will continue
to be more user-friendly as newer and more
“error proofing” products are developed.
His advice for technicians is “pre-inspect the vehicle thoroughly to find adverse conditions before removing the
glass.” This will reduce the chance of removing a glass that cannot be reinstalled
due to severe rust conditions, he adds.
SRP’s vice president of marketing and
product development David Osland has
6. Proper Procedure
to be incorrect resulting in moulding
that does not fit properly and a host of
Installing glass in adverse weather other issues such as “oozing” and
conditions can be a major mistake. “overflow” of adhesive into the interior
Weather conditions such as extreme or around the edges of frameless glass.
heat, cold, or humidity can be serious issues when installing glass in a
Ensuring Safe
mobile environment. Other weather Drive Away Time
related issues include rain, fog, snow
Safe drive away times vary by adheand high levels of humidity. Environ- sive manufacturers and weather condimental conditions such as dust, tions, but is important to adhere to
pollen, chemicals and body filler these times for the urethane. Most glass
dust in body shops can also cause primers need a set amount of time to
adhesive to not bond to pinchwelds allow the primer or activator to “flash”
and glass.
or evaporate. Pinchweld primers need
adequate time to allow the adhesive to
bond with the pinchweld properly.
Avoid Using
in Bad Weather
8.
7.
a Round Bead
Using a triangle bead will reduce
callbacks significantly and improve
safety. Using a round bead can cause
air to be trapped in the adhesive and
slow the curing process and cause
leaks. It can also cause the deck height
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9. Correct Seam “Paddling”
Incorrect seam “paddling” is one of
the largest contributors to leaks in adhesive set glass installations. If the adhesive is paddled incorrectly or the
seam is not connected properly to the
more than 13 years in the automotive
glass replacement industry. He has advice
about how technicians can stay prepared
and get ahead of possible challenges.
“Contact your local adhesive rep to
get manufacturer-certified and to stay
updated,” he says.
He states that the technician and
the adhesive are the two most important elements of a safe installation.
Osland also stresses the importance of
prepping the glass correctly to make
sure it is free of oil, release agents, dirt,
silicone and other contaminants.
Training and education are the most
important things an automotive glass
shop owner, manager, or technician can
take part in to help ensure safe installations. Contact your local adhesive sales
representative and ask about becoming
certified or what additional training they
offer. All of the adhesive manufacturers
we spoke with said their programs are
free of charge. If you do not know who
your local representative is can contact
your glass wholesaler or search online.
The Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC) is
another great resource for training and
becoming certified in the practice of safe
auto glass installation. They can be
reached at www.agsc.org.
■
starting and stopping point of an adhesive bead it can cause leaks. It can
also be the starting point for the adhesive to tear away during stress.
10.
Pay Attention
to Personal Safety
Not wearing the proper powderfree nitrile gloves when handling glass
is also an issue for proper bonding
and technician safety. Handling and
installing glass with bare hands can
place oil on the bonding surface. This
practice can also cause leaks, wind
noise and separation of adhesive and
glass, not to mention jeopardizing the
technicians’ safety.
Jamie Browning is a contributing editor
to AGRR ™ magazine and was the gold
medalist in the 2009 Auto Glass Technician
Olympics. He has more than 22 years of experience in the industry. He can be reached at
[email protected].
◗
29
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Guest Column
in my opinion
[email protected]
Buying Blind
by Richard Campfield
W
E ALL GETTHAT PHONE CALL
every day from the consumers saying, “I need a
new windshield.” My reply to them is,
“What kind of windshield would you
like?” and the call goes silent.
I have a son who has been blind
since the age of six from retinoblastoma. He is now 24 and on his own.
The word “blind” for me is a painful
word, but I could not think of any better word to describe the way consumers, and we in the automotive glass
business, have to buy windshields.
Consumer Reports is one non-profit
that consumers can turn to get non-biased feedback on products so they do
not have to buy blind such items as cars,
tires, smartphones, vacuum cleaners,
ovens, TVs and computers. The Internet
now has feedback and ratings on just
about everything these days, except for
windshields. Most people spend more
time looking at their windshield every
day than they do looking at their spouse
and kids. You would think there would
be more information out there on such
an important safety device.
I have personally been involved in
fracture testing windshield brands in a
lab and in surveys. No two windshields
had identical scores. There are differences. Many repairers and installers
know this from experience, not from
readily available information on the
brands. An Ultra Bond customer of
mine that performs repairs and replacements was approached by a
windshield manufacturer sales representative. My customer told that sales
rep he would never put that brand of
windshield in his customer’s car. The
sales representative’s reply to him was
that it was smart business to install this
30
brand because it was cheap to buy and
he would get more business because
he would replace it more often. That
sales rep definitely knows his product.
Have you ever seen a TV commercial by a windshield manufacturer
touting why their windshield is better
than the others? I have not. What do
you think would be the most important feature to the consumer?
ter what windshield is installed, the
windshield manufacturers need to advertise to the consumer market.
Windshield manufacturers should
market to the consumer, unless of
course, you are all the same which is
exactly what consumers think. Because windshield manufacturers have
never marketed to the consumer, the
consumer thinks a windshield is a
2005 Ford F-150 Windshield
NAGS
Shop Price
NAGS Fair and
Reasonable Price
Harford Insurance
Indemnification for
Like Kind & Quality?42% Off NAGS
$121.97
DW01551 GTN-PGW
$45.17
$210.30
DW01551 GBY-PGW
$64.06
$210.30
$121.97
DW01551 GBN-PGW
$89.01
$210.30
$121.97
DW01551 GTY-PGW
$61.76
$210.30
$121.97
DW01551 GBY-FYG
$69.34
$210.30
$121.97
DW01551 GBY-PLK
$69.34
$210.30
$121.97
DW01551 GTY-PLK
$69.83
$210.30
$121.97
DW01551 GBY-FYG
$69.34
$210.30
$121.97
DW01548 GTY-CAR
$118.60
$210.30
$121.97
DW01548 GTY-FYG
$103.40
$210.30
$121.97
Example: Now if a Harford insured
consumer needs a new windshield
which windshield will the glass shop
install when the company will be paid
the same price no matter which windshield he installs? The $45.17 or the
$118.60? Do you think the shop is
going to mention anything about quality, brand or features if the shop is the
one that is going to have to pay for it? If
the consumer has a green band, the
shops pays for it. If the consumer
wants a Carlite windshield, the shop
pays for it. Since the alleged insurer indemnification payment for like kind
and quality is the same price no mat-
windshield and only cares about price
which creates a cash market.
The glass shops not only have to contend with the insurance companies
steering and not paying to indemnify the
consumer’s loss, but they also deal with a
cash market driven by nothing but price.
We cannot sell the safety aspects and
benefits of your windshield in a 60 second phone call. I think windshield manufacturers had better start marketing
their differences to consumers before
someone else does it for them.
■
◗
>
Richard Campfield is the founder and president
of Ultra Bond Inc. in Grand Junction, Colo.
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WGR Reports
repair news
BUSINESS NEWS
31
REPAIR
www.agrrmag.com
on
I
off everything from edible,
origami-like sculptures to jewelry
and even a mechanical hand, according to a local news report.
So if 3-D printers can do all
this, why can’t they be put to good
use in the AGRR industry? This is
just the question that David
Casey, president of SuperGlass
Windshield Repair, asked himself.
“So far we have made brackets,
fittings and custom cases with the
3-D printer,” he says. “We draw up SuperGlass sees the 3-D printer as a hefty
our own plans, transfer them to investment that could pay off.
the computer, create 3-D drawings and then print them out. It’s pretty make changes for fit or other reasons,
quick to be able to print a prototype, then print another the same day.”
This means no more waiting for machine
shops.
COLD WEATHER NEWS
For now, Casey is not comfortable releasing photos of the tools his company
How Can You Repair Windshields in the Cold?
Though repairing windshields outside in the bitter cold is not ideal, it can be has made because the idea is so new, but
done, according to GlasWeld. To successfully do cold weather repairs, here are a few he feels the concept of using 3-D printers
to enhance businesses should be shared.
key techniques to keep in mind.
His company’s printer was custom
“Winter is here and with it the extra challenges of getting your repairs to cure
properly in cold weather,” explains Randy Mackey, GlasWeld’s manager of technical built through RepRap. The material you
services. “[T]o fully cure your repairs in cold weather, all you need is a little extra use to print with can be expensive, Casey
patience and preparation. It’s a fact that resin takes longer to cure in cold weather. notes. Sean Casey heads up the project
This is for several reasons. For starters, the voltage output of the vehicle’s cigarette and serves as the company’s information
lighter or power outlet may be lower in cold weather so the UV lamp receives less systems’ director.
“My thought is that the windshield repower and output is less. Also, when your UV lamp is cold, it does not emit as much
UV radiation as it does when it is warmed up. And resin that’s cold doesn’t cure as pair industry can use 3-D printers, leveraging some leading-edge technology to
quickly as resin that is at a warmer temperature.”
advance the tools and industry. Maybe
Slow down and give your repairs more time to cure, he says.
“You should count on adding an extra one to two minutes to the curing cycle,” others can follow the same idea and we
Mackey adds. “Also, warm up the UV lamp an extra minute or two before you begin will see a boom in innovation,” he says.
Now, if you can think up a new tool, it
to cure. And when you’re traveling between jobs, keep the UV lamp where it can stay
can soon be held in your hand.
warm—such as inside the vehicle with you.”
“The future of this is beyond my meaKeep your resin warm and whenever possible, pre-warm the windshield to get the
ger imagination,” Casey says.
glass to over 60 degree Fahrenheit.
Are you using 3-D printers for your
“The vehicle’s heater is the best way to warm the glass but other types of heaters
can be used as well. Just be careful not to heat the glass too quickly, too hot or on business needs? Email how you are maktoo small an area as windshield damage is more likely to spread under these cir- ing this device work for you to
[email protected].
■
cumstances,” he explains.
MAGINE MAKING YOUR OWN
brackets, fittings and custom cases
for your windshield repair company—all from the comfort from your
office. Florida-based SuperGlass Windshield Repair manufactures some of
these very items in-house with a 3-D
printer.
These devices are making a big splash.
3-D printers were one of the hottest items
on display at the Las Vegas International
Consumer Electronics Show this year.
Last year, only a handful were featured,
while this year, organizers had to turn 3D print manufacturers away due to not
enough space. About 30 companies put
their printing wares on display, showing
f ocus
Repair Company Turns to 3-D
Printers for Custom Tools
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BTB Launches Catalog
BTB has released its new
Flexible Adhesive
Cutting
System catalog,
containing 28
pages that cover
the BTB system,
tool power options, applications, kits, blades, controller arms and accessories. Also
covered in the catalog are BTB’s 12Volt
battery powered E-Tool automotive
glass removal tool, toolkits and accessories, the company’s new ‘spade’ cutting blades, new versions of powered
cold knife blades and updates to
toolkit blade content.
Copies of the new catalog will ship
with upcoming orders, or can be requested online.
❙❙➤ www.btbtools.com
Glas Bot System
Gets New Accessory
Nelson
Glass Tools, a
machine and
tool manufacturer located
in Northern
California, has
released its newest accessory for the
Glass Bot Automated Glass Removal
System. The Glass Bot Apex Corner Tool
assists in the automation of glass removal by guiding the cutting element
tightly along the most efficient cutting
angle, which the company says provides a cleaner cut with less strain on
the machine.
The tool is a powered winding system that winds a cutting element (wire
or string) under high tension to cut
through adhesives. The cutting element
is pulled inwards, away from the paint
surface thus preventing paint, molding
or glass damage during the removal
process. The machine is operated re-
motely from the exterior of the car to minum housing and its electronic cirallow full viewing of the cutting process. cuitry eliminates the need for a ballast.
❙❙➤ www.glasweld.com
❙❙➤ www.glassbot.net
Extractor Reveals
Two New Kits
Delta Kits Celebrates
30 Years with a Special Kit
Delta Kits is celebrating its 30-year
anniversary in 2014 by offering a limited
edition anniversary windshield repair
system and a new commemorative logo.
In 1984, Walter Deines and his wife
Darlene started Delta Kits out of their
windshield repair and replacement
shop in Springfield, Ore.
There are two more Extractor tools by
Crystal Glass Canada on the market: the
EXT-PRO-NC18, aka Extractor 18, and
the Lightning (EXT-PRO-V120). The Extractor 18 is a cordless device powered
by a ni-cad battery and an 18-volt
motor. The kit for it comes with a battery
charger, a delta blade, safety glasses,
spray bottle and a plastic carry case.
The Lightning has an 11 amp motor
and is said to provide 3,000 strokes per
minute. It has a variable speed trigger
and the basic kit comes with one delta
blade and safety glasses. A Lightning
deluxe kit includes two blades, safety
glasses, spray bottle and carrying case.
❙❙➤ www.extractortools.com
GlasWeld Unveils
New Curing Tool
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TOOLS
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To honor the 30th anniversary, Delta
Kits has special offerings planned
throughout the year, such as introducing a limited edition windshield repair
system, 36015 EZ-330D Mobile Pro. In
this special edition kit, both B250 windshield repair bridge and the newest
bridge, the B150, are being offered together. In addition, the EZ-330D comes
with a full complement of Delta Kits’
most popular tools, injectors, resin and
enough supplies to complete 100 repairs, according to officials.
❙❙➤ www.deltakits.com
SOFTWARE
GlasWeld has
announced the Glas-Avenue
launch of the Gets Mobile App
ProCur2 LED UV
Mainstreet
curing light, which
Computers Inc.
it says cures in less
has launched the
than a minute and
new Glas-Avenue
can accommodate input from 10 to
Mobile App, which
30 volts. It has a low power draw and
allows users to
LED bulb technology that lasts more
leave their desk
than 10,000 hours, according to the
and operate Glascompany.
Avenue software
The ProCur2 is used to cure glass re- from any device with an Internet
pair resin resulting in high quality repairs connection.
with 360º of curing power. It has a solid,
Device Independent Glas-Avenue
durable machined and anodized alu- lets users monitor and manage day-to-
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day business operations from a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop,
meaning techs no longer have to organize customer papers. Each scheduled job is laid out in a color-coded
format and all information related to
each job is found within the app. The
app allows the office to monitor the
techs’ daily progress and assign new,
incoming jobs. Glas-Avenue Mobile
works with Glas-Avenue Hosted to provide users access to company information 24 hours a day, seven days a week,
year round.
Features included in the app give
techs the ability to map routes,
change job status, clock time on jobs,
view parts and vendor information,
edit vehicle info, attach pictures and
post payments.
❙❙➤ www.mainstreetcomp.com
■
The Rolladeck Windshield Setting System
The only setting product which bolts directly to the vehicle. It is simple, easy & effective with no complicated
measuring & self calibrating. Learn more about the Rolladeck from the addresses below. Use the coupon
code AGRRMAG on your phone or online order and receive 10% off our already low retail price.
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STATE NEWS
Battle Over Connecticut’s
Anti-Steering Law Wages On
U.
S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE
Janet Bond Arterton denied
Safelite’s motion for a preliminary injunction in mid December,
writing in her ruling, “because the
court concludes that PA 13-67(c)(2) is
rationally related to the state’s goal of
protecting consumer choice and preventing steering, plaintiffs have not
demonstrated that they are likely to
succeed on the merits of their First
Amendment claim.”
Safelite had claimed the law is unconstitutional because it restricts the
company’s right to free speech. Company attorneys claim Safelite was the
only entity covered by the law. Connecticut’s attorneys, meanwhile,
claim the law is intended “to protect
consumer choice.”
Safelite immediately appealed the
decision to the Second Circuit Court,
asking for an emergency injunction to
halt enforcement the law.
“We are disappointed that Judge
Arterton denied our motion for preliminary injunction, which would have delayed the effective date of Public Act
13-67: An Act Concerning Auto Glass Repair,” writes Safelite’s senior corporate
counsel Brian DiMasi in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Connecticut Assistant Attorney General office’s issued a
statement: “We are pleased with the
District Court’s thorough decision. The
state has a long-standing interest in
protecting consumer choice in automobile glass repairs covered by insurance. We will continue to vigorously
defend the statute.”
Several automotive glass repair and
replacement company owners are calling the judge’s decision a “victory.”
“Do they [Safelite] have any idea as to
34
the blow back the public will give them
nationally over this action [to sue]? Do
they have any idea as to how we will explain this to our clients? And they have
spent how much for this action? … My
question is where would Safelite be
without deep pockets?” says Kerry Soat,
owner of Fas-Break in Chandler, Ariz.
“Boy, I bet the tongues are wagging
over this news. Connecticut is legislating
Safelite’s TPA [third-party administrator]
and provider model right into the trash
heap of rigged commerce,” says Jay
Sampson of Total Glass Solutions in
Broomfield, Colo. “Perhaps this Connecticut bill will become the new draft
legislation that is marched up to state
houses all over the country soon.”
In response to Safelite’s appeal to the
Second Circuit Court, Judge Susan Carney issued a denial and ordered that the
company’s motions for an emergency
injunction and for an expedited appeal
be referred to a three-judge motions’
panel. With no emergency injunction in
place, the anti-steering law went into effect on January 1.
Safelite officials declined to comment
on the initial decision by the Second Circuit Court. The company’s attorneys
moved quickly to file a memorandum in
the court further arguing their favor,
claiming, “the state relies on imagined
procedural errors” in its argument
against a preliminary injunction.
“Having nothing of substance to offer
in response to Safelite’s motion for an injunction pending appeal, the state relies
on imagined procedural errors, faulting
Safelite for seeking emergency relief directly from this [Circuit] Court over the
holidays,” Safelite’s attorneys claim in
their latest filing. “But contrary to the
state’s assertion, Federal Rule of the Ap-
>
Connecticut sent one attorney to take
on five from Safelite in District Court.
pellate Procedure 8 permits Safelite to
seek relief directly from this court, particularly where Safelite had only days
before the statute became effective and
impaired Safelite’s constitutional rights.
“Nor can the state escape this court’s
review by mischaracterizing the District
Court’s statutory interpretation as ‘factual finding.’ Rhetoric aside, the state offers no legitimate reason to deny an
injunction pending appeal. To the contrary, what is extraordinary here is the
District Court’s dramatic expansion of
the state’s ability to regulate speech, in
contravention of the First Amendment
and this [Circuit] Court’s precedents,”
Safelite’s attorneys claim.
Safelite’s attorneys go on to claim,
“Left unchecked, the District Court’s rationale would not only allow states to
co-opt the messages of commercial entities and force them to advertise for
their competitors, but would permit a
state to force businesses to carry any
messages the state demands, so long as
that message can conceivably be characterized as ‘factual.’”
Safelite asked the three-judge motions’ panel to “grant an injunction
pending appeal.”
No further Circuit Court decisions
had been issued at press time.
■
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on the road
calendar of events
D A Y /
July 31 to August 2, 2014
International Autobody Congress
& Exposition (NACE)
Sponsored by the Automotive
Service Association
Cobo Center
Detroit
Contact: NACE at 888/529-1641 or visit
www.asrwevents.com.
September 16-20, 2014
Automechanika
Sponsored by Messe Frankfurt
Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH
Frankfurt, Germany
Contact Messe Frankfurt at
+49 69 75 75-0 or visit
www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com.
Adhesives/Sealants
AUTO GLASS
ADHESIVE SYSTEMS
SHAT-R-PROOF CORP.
12800 Hwy. 13, Suite #500
Savage, MN 55378
P: 952/946-0450
F: 952/946-0435
www.shatrproof.com
[email protected]
Auto Glass
NATIONAL GLASS BROKERS LLC
3115 Fry Rd., Suite #302
Katy, TX 77449
P: 281/599-1550
F: 281/599-8158
www.nationalglassbrokers.com
[email protected]
PILKINGTON NORTH AMERICA
3440 Centerpoint Drive
Urban Crest, OH 43123
P: 614/801-5900
www.pilkingtonclearadvantage.com
[email protected]
RV GLASS
COACH GLASS
1400 Cross St.
Eugene, OR 97402
P: 800/714-7171
F: 888/714-7171
[email protected]
WINDSHIELD MFS.
CARLEX
Nashville, TN 37209
P: 877/377-4527
Auto Glass Related Products
PILKINGTON NORTH AMERICA
3440 Centerpoint Drive
Urban Crest, OH 43123
P: 614/801-5900
www.agrrmag.com
P L A N N E R
October 7-9 2014
Auto Glass Week™
Co-Sponsored by AGRR™ magazine, the
Auto Glass Safety Council, the Independent
Glass Association, the National Glass
Association and the National Windshield
Repair Association. Includes the Auto Glass
Repair and Replacement Olympics
The Baltimore Convention Center and
Baltimore, Md.
Contact: AGRR™ magazine
at 540/720-5584 or
visit www.autoglassweek.com
October 7-9 2014
International Window Film Conference
and Tint-Off™
Sponsored by WINDOW FILM magazine
The Baltimore Convention Center and
Baltimore, Md.
Contact: WINDOW FILM magazine at
540/720-5584
or visit www.windowfilmmag.com/wfct ■
Visit www.agrrmag.com and click
on “Industry Events” to add your
events to the calendar.
THE SHOWCASE
directory of suppliers
www.pilkingtonclearadvantage.com
[email protected]
Information Sources
ASSOCIATIONS
Auto Glass Safety Council™
Stafford, VA 22554
P: 540/602-3252
www.agsc.org
NATIONAL WINDSHIELD
REPAIR ASSOCIATION
Stafford, VA 22554
P: 540/720-7484
F: 540/720-3470
[email protected]
PUBLICATIONS
AGRR™ MAGAZINE
Key Communications Inc.
P.O. Box 569
Garrisonville, VA 22463
P: 540/720-5584
F: 540/720-5687
www.agrrmag.com
Tools and Supplies
EQUALIZER INDUSTRIES INC.
2611 Oakmont Dr.
P: 512/388-7715
F: 512/388-4188
www.equalizer.com
[email protected]
Windshield Removal Tool
EXTRACTOR/
CRYSTAL GLASS CANADA
9508 - 45 Ave.
Canada
P: 877/628-8837
F: 780/438-5915
Windshield Repair Products
AEGIS TOOLS INTERNATIONAL
2881 Commerce Park Dr., Suite M
Fitchburg, WI 53719
P: 608/274-9254
F: 608/274-9395
www.aegistools.com
[email protected]
DELTA KITS INC.
1090 Bailey Hill Road,
Suite A
Eugene, OR 97402
P: 800/548-8332
F: 541/345-1591
www.deltakits.com
REPAIR SYSTEMS & SERVICES
GLASS MEDIC
7177 Northgate Way, Ste. C
Westerville, OH 43082
P: 614/891-9222
F: 614/891-9227
www.glassmedic.com
WINDSHIELD REMOVAL TOOLS
A.N. DESIGNS INC./ULTRAWIZ®
111 Putter Lane
Torrington, CT 06790
P: 860/482-2921
F: 860/482-8585
WINDSHIELD REPAIR SYSTEMS AND SUPPLIES
BLUE STAR PRODUCTS INC.
355 Marcus Blvd.
Hauppauge, NY 11788
P: 631/231-5222
F: 631/231-5544
www.bluestar-products.com
PERSONNA
1 Razor Blade Lane
Verona, VA 24482
www.personnablades.com
glass-auto.personnablades.com
■
35
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industry insiders
people in the news
Mervenne Named
Vice President of Burco
Elisabeth Mervenne
has been promoted to
vice president of Grand
Rapids, Mich.-based
Burco Inc. Previously,
she served as vice president of marketing.
Elisabeth
She joined the
Mervenne
company in 1994 as
consultant and went
on to serve as marketing manager.
“My new role at Burco gives me an
opportunity to work with all disciplines
within our business,” she says. “Working on macro strategic planning, I look
forward to embracing this new position
and further contributing to the success
and future of our company while meeting the needs of our customers.”
Looking to 2014, Mervenne says the
has been with us from the beginning of
our entry into the glass industry.
“Bill has utilized his incredible skill
in programming to enhance Mainstreet’s Glas-Avenue products to help
glass shops meet the many challenges to running an efficient profitable business. I’m grateful to have
Oeftering Celebrates
him on our team,” he adds.
25th Anniversary
Oeftering joined Mainstreet in 1988.
Mainstreet Computers recently recognized the 25th Alan Resnick Leaves
anniversary of one of Glass America
its key employees—
Alan Resnick—who
Bill Oeftering, prodhas been with Glass
uct
development
America since 1999,
programmer.
most recently as vice
Bill
“Bill has been a
president of sales and
Oeftering
great friend to me peroperations—left the
sonally and an invaluable asset to Main- Alan
company at the end of
street Computers,” says David Carnahan, Resnik
December to pursue
Mainstreet’s president and founder. “He
new opportunities.
company is developing some new
marketing material to help retailers
promote their automotive mirror replacement service, as well as developing new windshield rack products and
a new Window Glo program.
Deines’ Family Celebrates 30 Years of Delta Kits
Delta Kits is celebrating its 30th anniversary in business
this year and president
Brent Deines says his
parents’ legacy is evident in every part of
the business.
Brent
“My parents, Walter
Deines
and Darlene Deines,
started Delta Kits in 1984,” he says. “At
that time the business was located in
Springfield, Ore. With a heavy background in insurance and several years
and with Novus and as an independent
windshield repair technician, Dad knew a
lot about the business and how to make
it better. Mom had been keeping Dad’s
books for more than 30 years and is
likely the nicest person you will ever
meet, so between the two of them they
had the knowledge and the skills to start
and run a very successful windshield repair supply business. That’s not to say it
was easy, quite the contrary.”
From 1984 to 1994, the Deines ran the
business themselves, along with a good
friend who helped.
36
“As things progressed, they moved to a
larger location, and in 1987, they decided
to sell off Glass Repair Service, the service
side of the windshield repair and replacement business. I was living in Billings,
Mont., but my wife and I were up for an
adventure, so we purchased Glass Repair
Service and moved to Oregon,” he recalls.
Over the first decade, the company
underwent a lot of changes, but the owners focused on keeping the equipment
simple and easy to use, and inexpensive
to purchase.
“They believed in delivering more
than promised and their customers
seemed to really appreciate the way they
did business,” Deines explains, noting
that the company still sticks to these
same principles.
Deines became the company’s third
full-time employee in 1994 when he was
hired as sales manager.
“My parents retired in 2002 and I took
over as president of Delta Kits. Within
eight years, annual sales grew from
$170,000 to $919,000, with a new sales
record set every year. I wish I could take
credit for all that growth, but the reality
>
is that my parents did all the ground
work and I just stepped in at the right
time,” he says.
After his parents retired, Deines hired
more employees. Today, the company
has 10.
Sales broke $1 million for the first
time in 2003 and surpassed $2 million in
2010, Deines points out.
“Our windshield repair systems have
gone through a lot of changes, including several different injector designs in
anodized aluminum and stainless, different bridge base designs in acrylic,
micarta, nylon/fiberglass composite
and aluminum. … We have just about
everything a windshield repair technician can use to make the work easier,”
he says.
The company now sells more resin in a
week than it did in a year when Deines
first started. It also offers professional
windshield restoration products.
“Best of all, our company still feels
like a small family and our customers feel
like our extended family. It truly is a wonderful business and we are very thankful
for our many blessings,” he says.
■
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En t’s f
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sc Face you it. Y
ma ratc t Si r s ou o
u
n
an ter hin gle cce nly
d p ial g a
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it
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ct hen cra Blad h g e ch
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ma p r tes up y P to
tt edu . N eri er
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How Will You
Leverage Tech
to Outsell Your
Competitors?
www.agrrmag.com • www.glassBYTEs.com™
A Publication of Key Communications Inc. • Subscribe at www.glass.com/subcenter
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O ngl rrmag 2 0 1 4
a /FEB
JA
N
AGRR Industry to Leverage
Technology in 2014
by Jenna Reed
A
big focus for 2014 will be
ramping up technology usage,
according to glass company
owners.
“For our company, Auto One Glass
& Accessories, we believe 2014 will be
a great year,” says David Zoldowski,
whose company is headquartered in
Brighton, Mich. “We are planning a
number of changes. Auto glass makes
up about 35 percent of our gross sales.
Auto One is offering mobile glass service at six of our 18 locations.”
The company has been involved in
e-commerce since 2003, when Auto
One’s website underwent some dramatic changes.
Taking technology a step further,
Zoldowski says the company recently
rebuilt the site again for compatibility
with smartphones and tablets.
“Once we saw smartphone use start
to rise, we pushed even further into
mobile web design and launched a
completely mobile version of the site
to minimize content and focus on the
things that mobile users need most,”
he says.
What is the next big technology
wave? Video, Zoldowski claims.
“Look at the explosive growth in
online video on YouTube or Netflix.
Consumers are starting to expect
video the way we all used to look at
“Look at the explosive growth in
o n l i n e v i d e o o n Yo u T u b e o r N e t f l i x .
Consumers are starting to expect video
the way we all used to look at
print advertisements.”
—David Zoldowski, Auto Glass One & Accessories
Auto One also developed a lead
generation system to help the company interact with customers 24/7 by
directing afterhours calls to the mobile team.
print advertisements. At the corporate
level, we are currently working with a
local videographer to develop technical product-related videos,” he says.
Over at St. Paul, Minn.-based City
©2014 AGRR magazine, 540/720-5584 All rights reserved.
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“ We ’ r e l o o k i n g t o u t i l i z e
streaming video of vehicle
pre-inspections for customers that
cannot be physically present when we
arrive to perform the work, as well as
for collaboration between technicians
when assistance from a more
experienced technician is needed.”
—Mike Schenian, City Auto Glass
Auto Glass, Mike Schenian also sees
the benefit of video.
“We’re looking to utilize streaming
video of vehicle pre-inspections for
customers that cannot be physically
present when we arrive to perform
the work, as well as for collaboration
between technicians when assistance from a more experienced technician is needed,” Schenian explains.
City Auto Glass has equipped mobile technicians with tablets.
“We will continue to expand upon
the capabilities of our tabletequipped mobile technicians,” he
says. “We are working on real-time
invoicing via the mobile point of sale
application with the goal of dispatch-to-invoice in less than two
business days on average.”
Moreover, the company is programming automatic email notifications to go out to customers letting
them know that technicians are in
route. Similar notifications are also
being set up to go out to insurance
agents informing them of job completion, according to Schenian.
In another initiative, the company
What’s your
New Year
perspective?
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is looking into a paperless accounts’
payable workflow.
In the coming year, 33 percent of
automotive glass technicians and
company owners expect business to
be up by more than 30, while 40 percent expect business to be up between 11 and 30 percent, according
to a glassBYTEs.com™ poll.
Another 22 percent of those who
answered the question selected “It’s
anyone’s best guess” as to what 2014
will bring.
Finally, 12 percent of those polled
expect business to be up by 1 to 10
percent in 2014.
What are your thoughts on 2014?
What do you see for business? Is your
company adopting new technology?
Email [email protected] with your
feedback.
■
Jenna Reed is the editor of AGRR™ magazine/glassBYTEs.com™. Follow her on
LinkedIn at Jenna Reed, follow her on Twitter
@agrrmagazine and like AGRR magazine on
Facebook to receive the latest updates.
◗
—Business to be up 11 - 30%, said 40%.
—Business to be up more than 30%, said 30%.
—It’s anyone’s best guess, according to 20%.
—Business to be up 1 - 10%, said 10%.
©2014 AGRR magazine, 540/720-5584 All rights reserved.
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Jan/Feb 2014 - AGRR Magazine

Transcription

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