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Safelite Pledges Commitment to California Economy

COLUMBUS, Ohio - July 15, 2009 - Safelite AutoGlass® president and CEO Tom Feeney yesterday affirmed his company's commitment to California with a grand opening of its new distribution center in Ontario, about 35 miles east of Los Angeles in San Bernadino County. At 282,000 sq. ft., the facility is the largest operation for Safelite, and for its parent company, Belron®, which operates in 30 countries.

"We at Safelite AutoGlass® have been committed and will continue to be committed to doing our part in boosting the California economy," Feeney said at the opening event. "I am so proud to stand here today as a representative of Safelite, and am proud of all we've accomplished with this incredible distribution center. We are glad to be able to offer economic opportunity-and some positive news to Californians, too. I hope our efforts serve, in some small measure, as a pivotal step toward a strong future for Safelite, for Californians, and for the U.S."

More than 200 people attended the grand opening event, which was staged in the center of the distribution facility and featured the 35 employees hired by the company in May.

Currently, the company brings more than $4.7 million in tax and ancillary revenues to the California's economy. In 2008, Safelite employed some 435 Californians and served more than 300,000 California customers.

The Ontario facility will support distribution of vehicle glass to the states west of the Mississippi River. It will store 120,000 windshields and 30,000 other vehicle glass parts. The distribution center has the potential to grow to 90 jobs as volume increases. It is expected to be fully operational by August 1.

The distribution center marks a continuation of the company's aggressive growth plans. Beginning this year, Safelite plans to reinvest $38 million in profits to support growth. In addition to the Ontario facility, these initiatives include:

• Opening six new warehouses across the country (in Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, Texas)
• Relocating ten existing warehouses for added inventory
• Expanding inventory to allow for cross-border deliveries with Canada
• Opening its third national contact center, creating 300 jobs in Columbus, Ohio
• Remodeling numerous store locations
• Launching a national radio advertising campaign

Belron chief executive officer Gary Lubner noted that Safelite's commitment to California also extends to its natural resources. To that end, the new facility includes a number of ecologically-friendly elements. Further, by expanding the company's distribution network, Safelite will reduce its outbound mileage by an estimated 1 million miles annually.

"One of our global strategic initiatives is centered on social responsibility," Lubner said. "We have a fundamental belief that as business leaders we have a responsibility to give back to support local communities and also as an obligation to do whatever we can to reduce our carbon footprint and help the environment. And here at our newest DC we have taken on this challenge."

About Safelite AutoGlass®
Safelite AutoGlass®, founded in 1947, is the nation's leading provider of vehicle glass repair and replacement services, providing mobile service to more than 90 percent of the U.S. population in all 50 states. A subsidiary of Columbus, Ohio-based Belron® US, Safelite AutoGlass® serves more than 3.7 million customers each year through its company-owned operations. For more information, visit safelite.com.

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