Glass manufacturers

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Car manufacturers do not manufacture automotive glass themselves, they outsource from big glass manufacturers (e.g. AGC, Pilkington, Fuyao, Saint-Gobain Sekurit). That way the Original Equipment (OE) quality of the automotive glass is ensured for new cars. Automotive Glass Replacements (AGR) are usually also manufactured in the same factories. Large quantities produced for the aftermarket enable glass with the same standards and quality requirements to be sold at a lower price.

The best possible way to understand quality differences is to look at how automotive glass is manufactured.

Let’s look at BMW, for example. Every time a new model is developed, they request tenders from manufacturers for automotive glass production. Tenders have strict requirements that include exact measurements, acceptable deviations, amounts, deadlines, etc. The glass manufacturer that wins the tender has therefore agreed to the requirements of BMW to ensure OE quality standards of the car manufacturer.

This automotive glass is commonly referred to as ‘logo glass’ because the car manufacturer’s trademark along with the required markings is printed on it. This is the automotive glass with the most reliable OE quality.

In the photo is the BMW X7 2019 with Fuyao (China) OE glass.

However, OE spare parts often have very different prices – why? Since the car manufacturer and the glass manufacturer conclude a contract to produce certain quantities, then after the release of a newer car model the automotive glass with the OE marking will not be produced anymore, but there will be a long-term demand on the aftermarket. For example, it is possible to get this glass at a lower price when there is stock left in the warehouse and it needs to be sold.

The good news for both the glass manufacturer and the client is that even though OE glass can no longer be produced after the term, they can continue producing the same glass without the logo, this is called Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM automotive glass. Other glass manufacturers that participated in the tender but did not win can also manufacture OEM automotive glass which means that these products meet the same quality requirements as the exclusive OE or logo glass would have if the contract had been concluded. In conclusion, OEM spare parts offer the best value to the client because the same quality comes at a significantly lower price! That is why Carglass offers a variety of aftermarket products from the biggest OEM glass manufacturers.

There is also a third quality category – Original Equipment Equivalent (OEE) that meets the national standards of the local market but does not comply with the stricter OE requirements of the car manufacturers. This automotive glass can differ in design, glass thickness, it might be distorted or with defects and often has variable quality. More affordable prices are achieved through lower production quality requirements and the use of cheaper materials.

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Carglass® is a company specialising in glass repairs and replacement, we complete thousands of jobs a year, thus we have invaluable experience in replacing glass for different car brands. We have therefore gained the trust of bigger insurance companies in serving their clients with glass damage. There is an opportunity to choose between different manufacturers and prices. We always try to offer a more affordable glass that has a uniform quality and guarantee. Although we have sufficient stock of all the more common automotive glass, delivery times of 1–2 weeks or sometimes even longer should be taken into account.

When requesting information from our call centre at our free short number 1720 or booking a service appointment, our experienced call centre specialists will generally help you find the right glass for your car by VIN.  Please be patient – it is for your benefit! A fast-growing trend among new cars is that their windscreens are built with more accessories that later require advanced driver-assistance systems calibration.

Below is a list and a brief description of glass manufacturers whose OEM glass Carglass sells and installs in Estonia. Hopefully this information will prove useful if choosing between different manufacturers. Our goal is to make you confident in the choice you make!

 

1. Pilkington

One of the biggest glass manufacturers in the world today. Established in 1826 with the technical knowledge of John William Bell and financial support from the three influential families of Bromilow, Greenall and Pilkington in St Helens, England. A private company from 1894 to 1970 until the company’s shares were listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Sir Alastair Pilkington invented the revolutionary float glass process that was not taken into wider use until years later.

The company was acquired by NSG Group, a Japanese company in June 2006. The Pilkington name remains a trademark of the group’s construction and automotive products. Acts as a unified global organisation. Pilkington Automotive has well-developed independent aftermarket distribution and wholesale networks throughout Europe, North America, South America and Asia, with over 27,000 employees.

Pilkington automotive glass ordered from Carglass® comes from the Carglass® (Belron) central warehouse in Belgium as well as from Poland and Finland.

 

2. AGC

AGC Inc. (formerly Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.) was founded on 8 September 1907 by Toshiya Iwasaki. Entered the European market in 1981. The first foreign investor in the glass industry in Russia in 1997. AGC Automotive has a vision of becoming the most respected automotive glass supplier! The business and social activities of the AGC Group are based on the following slogan: ‘Look Beyond’. They also own brands such as: Splintex, Asahi, Temperlite, Lamisafe, AP Technoglass.

AGC Glass Europe (Glaverbel before 2010) has its headquarters in Belgium.

European factories are located in: Fleurus (Belgium); Aniche (France); Roccasecca (Italy); Tatabánya (Hungary); Chudeřice (Czech Republic); Nizhny Novgorod (Russia). In addition, there are factories, sales offices, warehouses in Spain, Scotland, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine – over 100 places with 16,500 employees.

AGC automotive glass ordered from Carglass® comes from the Carglass® (Belron) central warehouse in Belgium and the central warehouse in Italy.

 

3. Fuyao

Founded in Fuzhou by Cao Dewang in 1987 with headquarters in Fuqing (People’s Republic of China), the company is dedicated to producing quality glass. The following are the core values of the company: innovation, diligence, simplicity. Follows its own strategic path of independence through applied research and development, openness and inclusiveness.

Today, the Fuyao Group has grown into one of the world’s largest automotive glass suppliers, with its products recognised and used as the OE by the world’s leading car manufacturers, such as Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, GM, Ford, Volvo, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Hyundai, Land Rover, Fiat, Chrysler, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Kia, Volkswagen etc.

Fuyao Group is researching and implementing the industry 4.0 concept that aims to provide quality glass through intelligent manufacturing. In recent years, they have won various awards and titles for innovation capabilities, such as The CQA (China Quality Award) and the Phoenix Award 2016 (the most prestigious prize in the global glass industry). The award committee observed: ‘Led by Cho Tak Wong, Fuyao Group has changed the global structure of the automotive glass industry.’

Production is located in China and nine other countries, including the United States, Russia, Germany, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. They also have six R&D centres in China, the United States and Germany. The Group employs over 26,000 people.

Fuyao automotive glass ordered from Carglass® comes from the Carglass® (Belron) central warehouse in Belgium or directly form the Chinese factory.

 

4. Saint-Gobain Sekurit

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A. is a French multinational company that was founded in Paris as far back as 1665, over 350 years ago, and headquartered in La Défense and Courbevoie (originally manufactured mirrors and other medieval luxury products).

Saint-Gobain Sekurit has been a leading manufacturer of automotive glass for over 80 years. As part of the Saint-Gobain Group, they have extensive experience and know-how. Saint-Gobain Sekurit is the preferred partner of the automobile industry when it comes to automotive glass. With good reason – they are expanding the opportunities for their customers because their innovative solutions are a part of the strategy and a key to success in the automotive glass market!

They have eight R&D centres, sales and manufacturing located in 19 countries worldwide, 42 plants and 16,400 employees.

Saint-Gobain Sekurit automotive glass ordered from Carglass® comes from the central warehouse in the Baltics.

 

5. PGW

Pittsburgh Glass Works or PGW Auto Glass LLC was founded in 2000 in the United States, as the name suggests, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (formerly PPG Auto Glass). In 1962, they were the first in the world to obtain a licence for the aforementioned float glass process.

In 2017, PGW Auto Glass LLC was acquired by the leading glass manufacturer in Mexico Vitro, S.A.B. de C.V.  (BMV: VITROA), headquartered in Monterrey. Vitro is committed to creating a next-generation automotive glass company that focuses on innovation and world-class customer service. They manufacture all automotive glass for American cars and have a huge selection of glass available in their warehouses.

Production in the US, Canada, Mexico, South America, Poland.

Technical centres in Ettlingen, Germany, and Shanghai, China.

PGW automotive glass ordered from Carglass® comes from the central warehouse in Germany.

 

6. Guardian Automotive is now Glavista

Guardian Industries Corp. was founded in 1932 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The company employs more than 17,000 people worldwide and manufactures float glass, glass products, fiberglass insulation and building materials for commercial, residential and automotive industries. In 2017, Koch Industries, Inc., one of the biggest private companies in the US, acquired Guardian Industries Corp.

Guardian Automotive Europe (a part of Guardian Glass) is the only glass manufacturer in Europe that focuses exclusively on the automotive aftermarket. They aim to be the preferred supplier of premium quality Automotive Replacement Glass (ARG) whose key strength is providing outstanding customer service. Their development activities are supported by the global Science and Technology Center (STC) in Michigan, USA. They use ‘Made in Europe’ as one of their key advantages.

Headquarters in Luxembourg (Guardian Europe S.à.r.l.).

The factories are located in Spain in Llodio (Guardian Glass España C.V., S.L.U.) and Valencia (Valenciana de Suministros y Contratas Industriales, S.L.U.).

Guardian automotive glass ordered from Carglass® comes from the central warehouse in Karlsruhe, Germany.

 

7. NordGlass

AGC Automotive Europe acquired the Polish company NordGlass in April 2015.

The NordGlass brand is a reliable manufacturer in Europe in terms of both price and quality. Manufactures glass specifically for the automotive aftermarket. All NordGlass automotive glass meets industry ECE R43 quality standards. Over 20 years of experience in automotive glass manufacturing and over 1000 employees.

NordGlass automotive glass ordered from Carglass® comes from the central warehouse in Koszalin, Poland.

NB! In May 2019, Belron and AGC entered into a franchise contract, as a result of this, 37 NordGlass locations in Poland will start offering glass services under the Belron brand Carglass®. This is Belron’s first contract with a glass manufacturer for providing glass repair and replacement services! A similar contract was also concluded for 19 AG Experts brand locations in the Czech Republic.

 

8. Shatterprufe

 

Established in 1935, Shatterprufe® has grown to become the largest supplier and exporter of auto glass in South Africa, and is the leading supplier to the Automotive Replacement Glass (ARG) market in its region.

Shatterprufe® windscreens are produced for more than 700 vehicle makes and models. Including, of course, those fitted with modern ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems).

Shatterprufe® manufactures high quality auto glass that are produced to OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) standards and are SABS approved, which ensures products meet national and international standards or regulations (governing quality and minimum performance requirements).

The mission of Shatterprufe® is a commitment to its customers, investing in technology, people, a world-class manufacturing philosophy and a fast, creative and flexible response to market changes.

Shatterprufe® employs 1,500 people, who produce more than 1.2 million pieces of windscreens and more than 2.5 million pieces of tempered glass per year.

Shatterprufe® has three modern automated manufacturing plants:

1. Struandale plant (located in Port Elizabeth)
2. Neave plant (located in Port Elizabeth)
3. Ga-Rankuwas plant (located north of Pretoria)

Shatterprufe® car glasses ordered by Carglass® Eesti are supplied from the central warehouse of Carglass® (Belron) in Belgium.