National Windscreens has announced an ‘innovating together’ programme that will provide insurers and fleets with the insight they need to react effectively to fast-changing vehicle technology. The latest part of this initiative saw a National Windscreens team attending a technology workshop at NSG Pilkington R&D Technical Centre in Lathom, Lancashire.
Automotive glazing is becoming increasingly complex, so National Windscreens is working closely with its world-leading suppliers and partners to make sure it is ahead of the curve and accurately predicting what the future holds for the automotive industry.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are a current key focus, so Pilkington used the workshop to highlight current and future technology requirements for ADAS and the absolute need for a high quality glass product of equal or better standard than the OE; something both National Windscreens and Pilkington are fully committed to providing. Pilkington also showcased their impressive manufacturing plant, which displayed the processes and machinery used to create the world-class glass it supplies to National Windscreens.
It is predicated that by 2020, more than 40% of new vehicles will have at least two types of driver assistance systems fitted. National Windscreens recently invested more than £3 million in equipment and training in ADAS calibration across its 108 purpose designed buildings, ensuring just one visit for windscreen replacement and calibration.
Andy Rae, regional operations director at National Windscreens comments:
“Windscreens are seen as a safety critical product and service. We aim to put vehicles back to ‘original standard’ working with our long-term world-class partners and products. Along with Pilkington, we are currently driving innovation with partners that include Dupont, Hella Gutman, and, Saint Gobain.
“We had a fantastic day at the NSG Pilkington R&D Technical Centre. It was great to discuss current & future technology and the future of ADAS with one of the world’s leading glass suppliers and one that we’ve been working closely with for a number of years now. We’d like to thank the Pilkington team for being so welcoming of the National Windscreens group.”
Pilkington is the global number one in Automotive Glass Replacement (AGR) distribution and wholesale and has working with National Windscreens since it was founded over 35 years ago.