International Master Fitter Competition—The Road to Germany

Scroll down through this page to recap NGA's road to Germany from beginning to end.

OCTOBER 28, 2006—DESTINATION GERMANY: Jeff Olive Finishes Third in the International Master Fitter Competition

Jeff Olive, U.S. Champion Master Auto Glass Technician, finished third in the international competition to determine the world’s best auto glass technician. The competitors from Sweden and Norway finished in first and second place respectively.

After receiving his medal, Jeff was pleased with his performance saying, “Coming here, I felt like I was going to finish out strong and I came in where I hoped I would—in the top three.”

The next International Master Fitter Competition will be held in 2008 in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Jeff Olive's trip to Germany sponsored by Equalizer Industries, Inc. and NGA.

Day 2 Photo Highlights:
Jeff dry-fits the windshield with assistance from Mark Taylor.	Jeff prepares the opening for the windshield using a Dow Automotive adhesive.
Jeff sets the windshield in the final stage of the competition.	U.S. Champion Jeff Olive with NGA President Phil James.
Paul Heinauer of Glasspro, Inc. came to Germany to support Jeff in the competition.	Finishing in 1st place, the contestant from Sweden also impressed the audience with his special outfit.
Jeff Olive receives his medal as the 3rd place finalist in the International Master Fitters Competition.	The world’s top auto glass installers at the closing awards ceremony.

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OCTOBER 27, 2006—DESTINATION GERMANY: The International Master Fitter Competition - Day 1

Jeff Olive, U.S. Champion Master Auto Glass Technician, joined participants from 7 other countries in Dusseldorf, Germany for the International Master Fitter Competition. The competition got underway today, starting with a sidelite replacement and a backlite replacement. The competition continues tomorrow with the windshield repair and replacement portions. The U.S. and Japan are both participating for the first time, the other countries competing are Denmark, Germany, Italy, Norway, Netherlands, and Sweden. Each country also submits a judge for the competition. The U.S. is being represented by NGA board member, Steve Mort of Don's Mobile Glass in Modesto, CA.

Each competitor is working on the same model year vehicle—a 2006 Ford Fiesta, a vehicle not seen in the U.S. market. When asked how he thought he did today, Jeff Olive replied, "It was a little hectic working on a vehicle not manufactured in the U.S., but I was able to use my experience with similar vehicles and complete the tasks in the allotted time limit. I did a quality job and the judges noticed."

A U.S. contingency came out to support Jeff, including his wife Maehing and daughter Alisa, and the U.S. competition runners-up, Mark Taylor of Portland Glass and Carl Sorrels of Northwest Windshields, Inc. Jeff's boss at Glasspro Inc., Paul Heinauer and his wife Paula also came to Germany to support Jeff.

Day 2 of the competition will feature a windshield repair and replacement and will end with the announcement of the World's Best Auto Glass Technician. Check back for updates!

Jeff Olive's trip to Germany sponsored by Equalizer Industries, Inc. and NGA.

Day 1 Photo Highlights:
U.S. Champion Jeff Olive, wife Maehing and daughter Alisa arrive in Dusseldorf, Germany for the International Master Fitter Competition.	Jeff is joined in Dusseldorf by the runners-up of the U.S. Champion Auto Glass Technician Competition, Carl Sorrels and Mark Taylor.
Competitors from 8 countries compete in the 2006 International Master Fitter Competition.	Visitors from the U.S. cheer for Jeff and proudly wave U.S. flags.
Jeff Olive prepares before the competition begins.	The sidelite is smashed to begin the first portion of the competition.
NGA board member Steve Mort of Don's Mobile Glass in Modesto, CA is the U.S. appointed judge for the competition.	The U.S., as well as Japan, are first time participants in the International Master Fitter Competition.
Each competitior is assigned a judge randomly for each portion of the competition.	Jeff Olive's wife and daughter cheer for the U.S.
Large crowds gathered to watch the competition.	Day 1 of the competition ended with a backlite replacement, where Jeff was assited by Carl Sorrels.

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OCTOBER 20, 2006—DESTINATION GERMANY: Good Luck to Jeff Olive in the International Master Fitter Competition!

NGA's U.S. Champion Master Auto Glass Technician, Jeff Olive of Glasspro, Inc. in Charleston, SC, is headed to Germany to prepare for the International Master Fitter Competition. The competition will be held October 27 and 28 at the glasstec 2006 trade show in Dusseldorf, Germany. Jeff will be cheered on during the competition by a U.S. contingency making the trip to Germany to support him. Competition highlights will be posted here periodically on the 27th and 28th—check back frequently to follow the action from Germany! Watch the video clip below to see how Jeff became the U.S. Champion Master Auto Glass Technician.

Jeff Olive's trip to Germany sponsored by Equalizer Industries, Inc. and NGA.

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SEPTEMBER 8, 2006—Jeff Olive Named U.S. Champion Auto Glass Technician

The National Glass Association (NGA) is pleased to announce that Jeff Olive of Glasspro, Inc. in Charleston, SC was named U.S. Champion Auto Glass Technician in a competition held today by NGA in suburban Washington, DC. Mark Taylor of Portland Glass in Portland, ME and Carl Sorrels of Northwest Windshields, Inc. in Walla Walla, WA finished in second and third place respectively.

As the U.S. Champion, Jeff Olive will represent the United States and NGA in the International Master Fitter Competition in Düsseldorf, Germany, October 27-28, 2006 at glasstec 2006. The two runner-up finalists will also go to Germany to show support for the United States in the competition.

After being named U.S. Champion, Jeff Olive shared his thoughts on the honor, “My fellow finalists were very qualified to be in the competition, but I feel what set me apart was my relaxed approach. I felt pretty confident the whole way through.” Jeff also shared that he is very excited to be representing the U.S. in Germany and he will be joined by his wife and 6-month old daughter for the journey.

The competition was judged by Gilbert Gutierrez of Equalizer Industries, Inc. and Jay Sampson of Safety Auto Glass. NGA’s Leo Cyr served as Master of Ceremonies for the event. NGA received generous donations for the competition from Old Dominion Glass in Richmond, VA and Equalizer Industries, Inc. in Round Rock, TX. Dale Malcolm of Dow Automotive came out to watch the action, as well as many local NGA members.

Video highlights of the NGA competition will be available on NGA’s Web site on Monday, September 11, 2006.

The International Master Fitter Competition is organized by Automotive Glazing Europe UEMV and is held in conjunction with glasstec 2006. The competition hosts champion auto glass installers from participating countries from around the world to compete against each other to determine who performs the highest quality auto glass replacement and repair. For updates on our U.S. Champion’s “Road to Germany”, visit www.glass.org/cert/mfitter.htm. For information on the International Master Fitter Competition, visit www.uemv.com.

U.S. Champion Jeff Olive preparing to install the windshield.	Finalist Carl Sorrels working on the windshield repair element.
Finalist Mark Taylor cutting out the windshield.	U.S. Champion Jeff Olive is congratulated by judge Gilbert Gutierrez of Equalizer Industries, Inc.
First runner-up Mark Taylor, U.S. Champion Jeff Olive, and second runner-up Carl Sorrels.

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AUGUST 25, 2006—U.S. Champion Master Auto Technician: Who will it be?

Join us on September 8th to come out to watch the competition, support your fellow NGA members, and see who will become the U.S. Champion!

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AUGUST 10, 2006—Meet our Finalists...

	Jeff Olive Glasspro, Inc. Mount Pleasant, SC Jeff has 25 years of experience in auto glass replacement.  He is a NGA Master Certified Auto Glass Technician.  He considers the Jaguar XJ8 1980-1987 models, the Ford Escort 1981 model, and Lexus SC430 Convertible 2002-2006 models to be his most challenging installations.  He is a member of his local Chamber of Commerce and an active member of his community.
	Carl Sorrels Northwest Windshields, Inc. Walla Walla, WA Carl has 13 years of experience in auto glass replacement.  He is a NGA Master Certified Auto Glass Technician.  He considers the Ford Mustang 1964 mid-year model, the Chevy G-Series Van late 80’s-early 90’s models, and the 1950 Studebaker to be his most challenging installations.  He is a member of his local Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau and is a former U.S. Marine reserve.
	Mark Taylor Portland Glass Portland, ME Mark has 18 years of experience in auto glass replacement.  He is a NGA Master Certified Auto Glass Technician.  He considers the Mercedes-Benz GL & ML models, the Freightliner Century Class models, and the Hummer H2 models to be his most challenging installations.  He is active in a local snowmobile club and a member of the American Hosta Society.

The three finalists will compete head to head in an event hosted by NGA on September 8, 2006 in suburban Washington, DC to determine the U.S. Champion. The U.S. Champion will then represent the United States and NGA in the International Master Fitter Competition in Düsseldorf, Germany, October 27-28, 2006 at glasstec 2006. NGA has also announced that it will be taking the champion and the two runner-up finalists to Germany to support the United States in the competition.

“We are looking forward to hosting our own competition right here in suburban Washington, DC—our nation’s capital,” states Philip J. James, NGA President & CEO. “There’s no better place to select our U.S. Champion. We’re pleased to bring all three finalists to Germany with us to make sure that our U.S. Champion can feel the support of his country during the competition.”

The finalists have all expressed their feeling of honor in having been selected. “I consider it quite an honor to be recognized by NGA as one of the top three auto glass installers in the U.S.,” says finalist Jeff Olive. “I’m ecstatic about going to Germany with the possibility of competing in the international competition. I hope to walk away a winner.” Finalist Mark Taylor commented, “I’m honored to be chosen a finalist. I’m looking forward to competing for the championship and I’m hoping to better myself in the process.” And finalist Carl Sorrels summed up his feelings by saying, “I’m thrilled and honored.”

Finalists were chosen from applications submitted to NGA and reviewed by a panel of judges—Gilbert Gutierrez of Equalizer Industries, Inc.; Jay Sampson of Safety Auto Glass; and Leo Cyr, NGA’s VP of Auto Glass. Entries were only accepted from auto glass technicians who are NGA Master-Certified. After a pre-screening application was submitted, qualified entrants were then asked a series of questions to determine their technical competency in both replacement and repair and their commitment to safety and training. Competition judges were unanimous in their choice of the top three finalists.

NGA’s competition will take place on September 8, 2006 at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church, VA. The competition is open to the public. More details to come.

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JULY 25, 2006—The judges have reviewed the applications and narrowed down the candidates. The 3 semi-finalists will be announced SOON! Stay tuned....

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JUNE 30, 2006—NGA is currently reviewing applications from auto glass technicians from around the country who are vying for a chance to represent the United States in the International Master Fitter Competition to be held October 27-28, 2006 in Germany.

The International Master Fitter Competition is organized by Automotive Glazing Europe UEMV and is held in conjunction with glasstec 2006. The competition hosts champion auto glass installers from participating countries from around the world to compete against each other to determine who performs the highest quality auto glass replacement and repair. The competition began in 2000 and this is the first year NGA will participate. NGA is the sole American representative in the competition.

The U.S. applicants will be narrowed down to 3 semi-finalists in late July. The 3 semi-finalists will then each be observed in their place of work by NGA representatives to determine the final champion. The U.S. Champion will receive an all-expenses paid trip for 2 to Germany to compete in the competition.

Check back frequently for updates.