National Windscreens increased turnover by 17% to £109million this year, becoming firmly established as one of the largest glass repair and replacement specialists in the UK. This growth, say the company, is the strongest indication yet that the strategy of retaining a comprehensive UK fitting centre network, against a background of competitors closing branches, is paying big dividends.
National Windscreens remains firmly committed to its 108 fitting centres located throughout the UK, supported by 800 mobile glazing technicians - ensuring that the average motorist is never more than 11 miles or 20 minutes away from a National Windscreens’ technician.
Managing Director Pete Marsden, comments, “2015 has been an extremely interesting year in our industry – in terms of the rate at which windscreen based technologies are evolving, and how some service providers have moved away from physical fitting centres in an effort to cut costs.
“We have always believed that our fitting centres are an extremely valuable part of our service offering. The overheads associated with operating physical locations are more than outweighed by the benefits they bring. £9million of glass stocks, coupled with the extensive reach of our fitting centre network ensures outstanding customer service that is reaping significant rewards for our business.”
Results of a recent pilot survey by National Windscreens demonstrate that this customer focussed approach is highly valued.
100% of respondents stated that they would use National Windscreens again, and when asked what their impression of the fitting centre was, 83% replied ‘excellent’ or ‘good’.
This quality service offering has resulted in contracts with a number of the UK’s leading motor insurers and fleet operators, and this figure is increasing all the time. This year alone, the independently owned company has signed supply contracts with brands including ERS, Ageas and the RAC, and extended contracts with a number of customers such as Lex Autolease, Saint-Gobain and Thrifty Car and Van Rental.
“We have made significant increases in our market share this year as more and more insurers and fleet operators recognise that National Windscreens offers an altogether better service than many other providers,” continues Pete.
“Our challenge now is to make sure that we spread this message as widely as possible. We need to ensure all insurance and fleet companies are aware of National Windscreen as one of the UK’s leading and most respected automotive glazing companies. Above all we need to ensure that all of these corporate customers know they have an alternative choice of provider – one that will reliably deliver market leading service to their customers.”
The company has ambitious plans for the future and delivering exceptional customer service will remain a key priority.
“Independent ownership means National Windscreens is agile enough to adapt to the ever changing needs of this fast paced market. Our dedicated services are designed to control costs for insurers and fleet operators, and to make sure motorists are completely satisfied with their windscreen repair or replacement. The current demand for our services is testimony to the fact that we’re getting it right!” Pete concludes.