Major Replacement Windscreen Fitter Collapses

Friday, 25. February 2011

It always surprises me when just before Christmas off licences go bust and shut down at the very time of year when one assumes that demand is peaking. It therefore came as an even bigger surprise when I heard of the collapse of windscreen replacement giant Auto Windscreens, the second largest windscreen replacement company in the UK, operating 68 fitting centres and 550 mobile units. The Derbyshire based company simply ran out of cash forcing it to put its 1100 staff on unpaid holiday. The company ran a call centre and distribution centre based in the UK. Amazing when you think that at this time of year, with large potholes appearing in the roads, it seems strange that the second largest supplier of windscreens should struggle enough to force the company into liquidation. Insiders are suggesting that Autoglass might want to take over this business as the largest operator in the UK. It is understood that discussions are currently taking place between them and Deloitte. With no fewer cars on the road, roads in increasingly poorer condition with the likelihood of more windscreens being broken that a company should fail like this. Sad times, lets hope that the jobs of those involved are saved. By Graham Hill