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Guardian Auto Glass LLC, a joint venture of Guardian Industries Corp. and LRST LLC, is being acquired by Safelite.
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. Contracts were signed on December 1, 2013 with an expected closing at the end of business on December 31, 2013. 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.
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.,” says 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,” says 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.”
Last week usgnn.com reported that Guardian will exit the local distribution business.
