2018: AGSC’s Year in Review
The Auto Glass Safety Council™ (AGSC) has had a very busy year—from its harmonization initiative, new members, a new committee, new Standard and much more.
Early in 2018 the AGSC launched its legislative alert program. As the AGSC learns of industry-related legislation across the United States, alerts are sent to Registered Member Companies so that they are aware of the legislation that could affect them—and can let us know how much of an impact they expect. The AGSC has sent out more than 60 alerts so far, and expect many more to come as many state legislatures begin their sessions at this time of year.
Throughout 2018 the AGSC worked with its Registered Member Companies in a move to harmonize its company registration program with its technician certification program.
“We are so appreciative of our members’ hard work in ensuring the success of this initiative,” said Kathy Bimber, director of operations for the AGSC. “It has been a busy year but we expect the combination of the programs to help all of our members and the industry at large.”
Last summer, the AGSC formed a new committee—the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Committee. The goal of the committee is to collect and disseminate information about ADAS technology, best practices, legal, quality and other issues involving ADAS; provide educational training, testing and to develop a certification program for calibration technicians; develop education for other stakeholders such as insurers and fleet owners; and continually evaluate potential new member services and programs involving ADAS.
Additionally, the AGSC AGRSS™ Standards Committee approved a re-vision, and those changes were also approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which oversees the process by which the Standard has been developed and is continuously maintained. The changes were the result of several years of work by the AGSC AGRSS™ Standards Committee to develop language related to ADAS for the Standard. The revised Standard now includes definitions for terms related to ADAS and information about re-calibration, and is known as ANSI/AGSC/AGRSS 004-2018.
In September 2018, the AGSC and National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA) decided to consolidate into one organization, effective January 1, 2019. Though technically not a merger, NWRA has dissolved and its membership, standards and work products are being welcomed into the newly formed Windshield Repair Division of the AGSC.
Ted Andersen of Novus Joins AGSC Board
The Auto Glass Safety Council™(AGSC) recently elected Ted Andersen, vice president of operations, North America, for St. Paul, Minn.-based Novus Glass to the board.
“I was employed by Coolidge Glass, Trans Canada Glass Inc. and Pilkington,” says Andersen. “Currently, I oversee Novus Glass, our corporate Speedy Glass Locations and manage our SRP product line.”
He adds, “I am very excited to be named to the AGSC board of directors. With my experience, I look forward to helping this organization continue to thrive. I feel that the work that the AGSC does is vital to our industry and as such we mandate AGSC Registration for the Novus Franchise Network as well as our Speedy corporate stores.”
Andersen lives in Delafield, Wis., with his wife of 25 years, Chris, and their two children, Grant, 21, and Lydia, 18.
AGSC to Host Insurers’ Forum
The Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC) will hold an Insurers’ CEU Forum for the insurance community in suburban New York City in March 2019.
The course will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at the Long Island Marriott in Uniondale, N.Y. The session will be preceded by a breakfast from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., with the CE session running from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
AGSC Certified Technicians also are welcome to attend the sessions for continuing education credits (CEUs). Technicians can earn three CEUs for their participation in the forum—one credit in installation topics and two credits in standards and information.
Joel Timmons of Profitable Glass Solutions will lead the course. He will teach agents and insurance company representatives about the ANSI/AGSC/AGRSS™ Standard as well as the AGSC, AGSC Registered Member Companies, and how they work to en-sure the safety of policyholders.
All insurers, agents and technicians are invited to attend for free.
www.agsc.org/ceuforum
