Windscreen network pledges to save fleet operators money with more effective repair service

Aug. 5, 2013 - PRLog -- WINDSCREEN companies that unnecessarily replace repairable screens are costing drivers and fleet operators millions of pounds a year, according to Keith Flowers, head of replacement network Glass Assist UK. According to Mr Flowers, replacing a screen is much more profitable than repairing it, leading to some windscreen services pushing replacements over repairs.

To combat the problem, Glass Assist UK has partnered with Glas Weld Systems UK to offer a service that will put more emphasis on repair whenever possible. Keith Flowers believes some companies are working to a 75 per cent ‘replace’, 25 per cent ‘repair’ ratio and that this weighting towards replacement is unacceptably high. He thinks it’s time drivers and fleet operators were told about the problem and the alternatives.

“Some unscrupulous windscreen companies have been manipulating the repair versus replacement option for years. Insurance companies, fleets and the vehicle rental market have been misled by these operators who have been replacing glass when it could have been easily and cheaply repaired instead,” said Mr Flowers.

He described a typical scenario: “Imagine a driver with a chipped but repairable screen calls a windscreen service. The technician turns up with a repair kit and a new screen in the back of the van and tells the driver the screen cannot be repaired. The average cost of a repair is £40 whereas the cost of a typical replacement screen is about £500. The temptation to push replacement is there and I think there are too many operators giving in to that temptation.”

Keith Flowers first started looking at the problem five years ago and now he believes he has come up with the solution – a network of windscreen technicians dedicated to reducing fleet costs using the best repair technology available. Glass Assist UK is made up of 200 of the most experienced local independent windscreen replacement companies in the country, with more than 1000 qualified technicians.

Glas Weld Systems UK has a superior repair kit that will repair windscreens with levels of damage that are beyond the scope of most other repair systems. Mr Flowers approached Glas Weld a year ago and formed a coalition. He describes the collaboration as “a totally independent replacement company working with a totally independent repair company for the benefit of the customer.”

After working alongside Glas Weld Systems in a 12-month trial, Glass Assist UK has recently formalised its coalition with a signed agreement, securing potentially huge savings for all its customers with the option to repair rather than replace their windscreens.

Glass Assist UK now has the highest repair/replacement ratio in the industry at 45% repair versus 55% replacement.

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Keith Flowers is available for interview. Phone 0191 378 4979.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Glass Assist UK is a UK-wide network of qualified local windscreen repair and replacement companies. Glass Assist UK is based at: Whitfield House, St Johns Road, Meadowfield Industrial Estate, Durham DH7 8XL. Phone: 0191 378 4979. Email: sales@glassassistuk.co.uk

Glas Weld Systems (UK) Ltd is the UK’s largest dedicated windscreen repair company with 90 local offices offering windscreen repair with more than 150 trained technicians on the road. Glas Weld Systems (UK) is based at: Kingston House, Waterside Court, Neptune Close, Rochester ME2 4NZ. Phone: 01634 735600. Email: info@glaswelduk.com (mailto:info@glaswelduk.co.uk)