The Camera Lens Focuses on Repair
By Linda Rollinson
I recently returned from Auto Glass Week™ 2022 in San Antonio, which was an amazing event. I had a variety of roles there—I was a speaker in two presentations, a judge in one of the repair competitions, an ambassador to students during Career Day (more on that later) and a full-time learner. By that, I mean that I was learning something just about every minute of the conference. The new ideas, knowledge and friendships I brought home are invaluable and will last a lifetime.
The Take-Aways
Auto Glass Week™ was an educational whirlwind, and connecting the instructional dots offered some common themes, specifically that:
1.This is a time of great disruption in the automotive and automotive repair industries;
2.Changes in technology mean increased knowledge and sophistication are needed to repair the car and its parts—including glass. This means additional equipment is necessary, as is additional training for the equipment operators. Because of this, the barriers to entry increase;
3.These changing requirements will also affect every aspect of the industry, including supply chain, aftermarket, insurers and car dealers;
4.Automated Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are designed to help the driver avoid accidents and subsequent human and property damage. No one thinks the systems we have now are done evolving. ADAS is an interim technology and will continue to change;
5.Because systems such as ADAS require training and proper procedures, car manufacturers are more focused on WHO is re-calibrating their name plates and the qualification and competency they have. Hence, you will continue to see new programs like Ford’s new Certified Glass Technician one develop and evolve (See AGRR™ Magazine, May/June 2022);
6. Glass repair on windshields in vehicles with ADAS is still the focus of scientific investigation. For example, we know that repairs in the camera sweep will most likely not be recommended, but what about repairs with new types of resins that say they are distortion-free? And how can we be sure where the camera “lens” area is and where it isn’t? What about supply chain issues that keep a car off the road waiting for a replacement windshield unless the glass is repaired? And how about the “peripheral” areas of the camera’s lens? Should repair be permitted in those areas?
As you can see, there is much to explore before recommendations can be made. The new Repair of Laminated Auto Glass Standard 2 (ROLAGS 2) Committee is working to address these issues, so stay tuned—or get involved. New committee members are always welcome.
It’s a Career
Just as new committee members are always welcome to repair committees such as ROLAGS 2, new individuals are welcome to join the repair community by finding a job, and a career, within. That was the goal of the first-ever career day, held during Auto Glass Week™ on September 16. More than 100 high school and vocational students came to Auto Glass Week™ to learn about careers in the AGRR industry. They heard from great speakers, including Mike Rowe, who spoke with them for more than an hour, as well role models including John Laski, CEO of City Auto Glass, and Dave Leach of Don’s Mobile Glass in Modesto, Calif., who began as technicians and went on to make fulltime careers in the industry. Students were also able to participate in a number of activities on the show flow.
It was both motivational and gratifying to see this group of students ask
questions and be so interested in our industry as a future career.
Linda Rollinson is the chairperson of the National Windshield Repair Division Steering Committee of the Automotive Glass Safety Council™ as well as owner of Superior Auto Glass of Tampa Bay Inc. in New Port Richey, Fla.
superiorautoglass@tampabay.rr.com
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