Safelite Group Reaches Agreement to Purchase Guardian Auto Glass and Guardian Glass Network
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Dec. 2, 2013 - Safelite® Group, the nation’s leading vehicle glass company and owner of Safelite AutoGlass®, has reached an agreement to acquire substantially all of the vehicle glass repair and replacement assets of Guardian Auto Glass, LLC, a joint venture of Guardian Industries Corp. and LRST, LLC. Additionally, Safelite® Group has reached an agreement to acquire the vehicle glass insurance claims management assets of Guardian Glass Network, not including its RV glass claims management operations. Both contracts were signed on December 1, 2013 with an expected closing at the end of business on December 31, 2013.
Auburn Hills, Mich.-based Guardian Industries was founded in 1932. Guardian Auto Glass currently includes approximately 253 employees in 60 retail locations throughout the U.S. Guardian Auto Glass provides vehicle glass repair and replacement services in 12 states with a heavy emphasis in Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia and Florida. Guardian Auto Glass’ management team will assist in the transition.
Guardian Glass Network operates its vehicle glass claims administration operation in Worthington, Ohio, and has 21 employees, 13 of whom will join Safelite® Solutions. The remaining Guardian Glass Network employees will continue to operate the RV glass claims program.
“Guardian’s well-established brand, commitment to high-quality customer service, and wide footprint made it attractive to Safelite® in its goal to become the “natural choice” for vehicle glass repair and replacement services in the U.S.,” said Tom Feeney, president and CEO. “The acquisition positions Safelite® to grow business in the impacted geographies. Additionally, the acquisition of the Guardian Glass Network will support the growth goals of Safelite® Solutions aimed at helping insurance clients achieve policyholder delight.”
“Safelite® is committed to its retail auto glass and insurance claims businesses as demonstrated by its dynamic growth in recent years,” said Mike Morrison, president of Guardian Automotive. “Our people are joining another established brand with a history of growth and a long term focus on the retail automotive glass business.”
The acquisition is part of an international deal of the Belron® Group, which includes the purchase of the vehicle glass business of Guardian in Spain.
About Safelite® Group
Safelite® Group, a subsidiary of Belron®, is a multi-faceted vehicle glass and claims management service organization based in Columbus, Ohio. The company, which has been in business since 1947, is comprised of four major business operations that include Safelite AutoGlass®, a vehicle glass repair and replacement services provider; Safelite® Solutions and Alliance Claims Solutions®, which offer fleet and insurance claims management services; Service AutoGlass®, a wholesale and distribution operation; and Safelite® Glass Corp., a manufacturing and distribution business unit. The company employs nearly 10,000 people throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.safelite.com.