Trico joins search for UK’s first Master Fitter

April 9, 2010 - PRLog -- With a European base in Pontypool, Trico’s sponsorship of the Master Fitter competition reflects its commitment to helping raise skill levels within the automotive glazing sector.

“We believe it is imperative for the automotive glazing professional to understand the importance of driver visibility and the importance of helping drivers understand wiper blade maintenance and regular replacement”, states Lisa Nichols, Marketing Manager, Trico Europe.

For the first time, the UK will be represented on a world stage at the 2010 International Master Fitter Championships, being held at the Glasstec International Trade Fair in Dusseldorf, at the end of September. It is expected that national champions from up to fifteen nations will be participating.

The national competition is being managed by Proskills, the Sector Skills Council for the glass and related industries with direct support from a number of organisations, including: the Independent Windscreen Academy (IWA); Master Auto Glass; Laddaw; and the Glass Qualifications Authority (GQA).

Winners of up to five regional finals over the next few months will pit their skills in a grand final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on 16 September to find the UK champion who will travel to Germany. Fitters will be required to repair and replace a windscreen and replace a side and rear window within a specified timeframe.

Maria Charlton, Director of the Independent Windscreen Academy, which is providing technical and training support for Master Fitter UK, said:

“Advancing technology has meant automotive glaziers have become highly skilled technicians. International Master Fitter provides the opportunity for the UK’s best to be represented on a world stage. It’s fantastic that Trico has wanted to align its brand with a new opportunity to showcase UK skills on a global stage and its support will add huge value to the initiative both here and abroad.”

Commenting on its involvement, Lisa Nichols, Marketing Manager, Trico, said:

“Trico is and always has been committed to ensuring optimum driver visibility through the supply of OE-quality wipers and wiper systems. For us, there is an obvious synergy between wipers and windscreens as the two combine together to give the driver the best possible view of the road ahead. We are excited to be supporting Master Fitter UK and giving automotive glaziers the chance to test their skills at an international level.”

Ends


Notes to Editors:

For further information about the International Automotive Glass Federation™ and International Master Fitter, visit www.interautoglass.org

For further information about Trico products, visit www.trico.eu.com

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Organised by The International Automotive Glass Federation™, the International Master Fitter finals will be held in Germany at the Glasstec International Trade Fair in September 2010. It is expected that up to fifteen nations will participate as the popularity of the annual contest grows.
For the first time, the UK is running a national competition within the automotive glazing market to find its champion to go forward to Germany. There are some 700 independent automotive glazing businesses operating in the UK.