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Members of the auto glass industry convened in Tucson for the 18th annual National Auto Glass Conference & EXPO, hosted by NGA. The event, held at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, includes seven educational seminars, two auto glass installation demonstrations and an exhibit hall featuring more than 50 exhibitors. The event urges participants to 'get in gear' and gives auto glass industry leaders an opportunity to find new business solutions and see old friends.
Day 1: News Highlights
Day 1: Photo Highlights
Day 2: May 18, 2006
Day 3: May 19, 2006
Press Release
Thomas D. Lee III, NGA's Chairman of the Board, gives the
annual state of the industry address.
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Gary Lubner, CEO of BELRON, gave the keynote speech focusing on the future of the U.S. auto glass market. |
A full house turned out for the Opening Session. |
Phil James awards Bob Beranek with the Len Stolk Special
Achievement Award. |
Participants visited with their peers during the popular welcome reception.
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Belron exec eyes the future of the U.S. auto glass market
“The U.S. is the toughest [auto glass] market I’ve come across in the world,” said Gary Lubner, chief executive officer for auto glass giant Belron, with offices in 28 countries. Lubner gave the keynote address during Wednesday’s opening session of the National Auto Glass Conference & EXPO in Tucson, Ariz.
Auto glass companies in the United States should be prepared for more falling prices, loftier customer demands and greater complexity for the auto glass industry in the future, Lubner said.
“There’s too much emphasis from insurers on price, not value of services,” Lubner said. “Price will be pushed down until the insurers’ price is lower than the cash customer.”
As customers become more educated in the importance of windshield replacement and repair, they will expect higher quality service from auto glass companies. However, they also are demanding more convenience.
“Customer expectations are higher than ever,” Lubner said. “More than 80 percent say they want same-day service.” In the coming years, 24/7 service could be the norm for many glass companies.
The U.S. auto glass market also is becoming increasingly complex as vehicle glass becomes more varied and specialized. “This is going to impact training, technology and the tools we use,” Lubner said. “Only the best technicians are going to be able to cope.”
Beranek receives special achievement award
Bob Beranek, president and founder of Automotive Glass Consultants Inc. in Sun Prairie, Wis., received the Len Stolk Special Achievement Award Wednesday during the conference ’s opening session.
Clearly surprised by the award and to see his whole family in the audience--including his older sister—who had been flown in for the presentation, Beranek remembered when he first met Stolk.
"Back in April '91 at Captain Carlite's school, this tall blond guy sat down next to me; that was Len," Beranek said. Stolk, also renowned for his dedication to safety and training, died prematurely after a long battle with cancer. "This award has extra special meaning to me because of Len and all he did," said Beranek, who for once in his career was a little short on words.
The award recognizes Beranek’s three decades of work in the auto glass industry. He serves on the Auto Glass Certification Committee for the National Glass Association of McLean, Va., and sits on the Auto AGRSS/ANSI Standard Development Committee and board of directors. He also developed and instructs NGA’s Auto Glass Technical Institute.
Education and training top association agenda
In the last year, the National Glass Association of McLean, Va., developed several expanded education, training and certification programs for the auto glass industry, announced Tom Lee, chairman of the NGA board and president of Lee and Cates Auto Glass of Jacksonville, Fla. He gave the state-of-the-association address Wednesday during the opening session of NGA’s National Auto Glass Conference & EXPO in Tucson, Ariz., which runs through Friday.
The largest development, Lee said, is NGA’s online technical school, MyGlassClass.com, set to launch June 1. The program is “centered on the concept of easy-to-use, affordable computer-based training, available where you want it and when you need it,” he said.
The initial course content of MyGlassClass.com centers on the auto glass industry; flat glass industry courses will be offered in the coming months, Lee said.
In other industry education news, Lee said NGA’s auto glass recertification program has grown throughout the year, with “more shop owners encouraging employees to pursue continuing education and more installers seeking recertification.”
Conference moves to February in 2007
After two years in its May time slot, the National Auto Glass Conference & EXPO will move to February in 2007, announced NGA President Phil James during the opening session. The event is scheduled for Feb. 14- 16 in Orlando.
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