What’s the best way for collision and autobody shops to ensure safety when glass isn’t their specialty? According to several companies, it’s becoming an AGSC registered member.
Travis Zingery owns the new AGSC registered member company, Powell Frame and Collision LLC, in Shepherd, Michigan. He originally subcontracted his auto glass work, but became frustrated by the hassle of dealing with outside companies.
“Why not do it myself?” Zingery asked himself.
While researching how to ensure that he is installing windshields safely, Zingery stumbled upon AGSC. He decided to become a member.
“Since I’m still fresh, I wanted a good resource for auto glass information and a place to get help when I need it,” he says.
As a collision repair specialist, Zingery says he had a solid working knowledge of glass already, but he’s learned a lot more from the Automotive Glass Replacement Safety Standard™ (AGRSS™) itself.
Falling tree limbs often damage both the body of a car and its windshield. AGSC registered member autobody shops say following the AGRSS Standard™ helps ensure they can fix both safely.He earned a urethane manufacturer certification as part of his AGSC certification process and says that gave him a better understanding of safety practices and the importance of proper urethane usage.
“The AGRSS Standard™ has made me more confident,” he says. “I wanted to do glass properly from the get-go and make it routine. I’m excited to keep learning.”
Carla and Steve Pulsifer own another new AGSC member shop: North Idaho Collision Repair Center in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Carla says they began adding more glass services as a way to connect with customers and offer comprehensive services. Steve already had experience with glass, and Carla began researching AGSC. She and Steve decided to have North Idaho Collision Repair join as a member.
“We already knew how important the windshield is for the structural integrity of the vehicle, so [we wanted to make sure we were doing things safely].” Carla says.
Carla says they wanted to make sure their customers understood that, too. Being AGSC members and learning the AGRSS Standard™ helps them stay informed and educate customers. If a customer comes in with corrosion near the windshield, they can explain why that’s a safety risk. Since the company is primarily a body shop, they can fix that corrosion in-house.
Carla says Steve and their other two technicians, Jake and Gabe, are “pumped” to learn more.
Greg Martinez is in charge of Complete Collision Solutions’(CCS) glass division. The Plano, Texas-based company provides several services to collision repair shops in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including its parent company, Texas Collision Centers. In addition to glass replacement, CCS provides diagnostics, recalibration, airbag replacement, programming and interior trim replacement. He decided to sign CCS up as an AGSC registered member company to ensure they were doing glass the right way and .
“It’s very important to me,” Martinez says. “I want to make sure our technicians and the shops do things the correct and safe way.”
He adds that being an AGSC member helps them stand out from the competition and gives customers a reason to trust them.
Martinez says the AGRSS Standard™ has been helpful for two main reasons. First, Martinez says it helps him assess what his glass technicians have yet to learn so that he can help them improve. Second, he wants to make sure their glass work is up to industry standards so they can keep customers safe.
“In my opinion, AGSC has the most rigorous training and certification,” Martinez says. “I want us to be the best of the best.”