Two Giant Glass Repair Firms Become One as Belron Acquires Safelite
Belron S.A., a large vehicle glass repair and replacement company, has completed its acquisition of another, Safelite Group Inc.
According to Dan Wilson, president and chief executive officer.f the new joint organization will be known as Belron US.
The new Belron US will integrate the U.S. operations of the former Safelite Group Inc. and the former Belron Inc., which was the U.S. operation of Belron. While Belron US is the new legal entity for the U.S. operation, the company will continue to operate under its existing brands including Safelite AutoGlass, Service AutoGlass, and Safelite Solutions.
The transaction was announced Feb. 6 and the deal closed effective March 3.
In addition to Wilson, the senior leadership of the new Belron US includes: Thomas Feeney, executive vice president and chief client officer; Douglas Herron, executive vice president and chief financial officer; Mark Smolik, senior vice president, general counsel and secretary, associate services, ethics officer; and Rich Harrison, senior vice president, strategy and business development.
Additionally, Wes Topping, the former non-executive chairman of Belron Inc., joins the Belron US board in a non-executive capacity and will continue to search for additional strategic acquisitions.
A team of Safelite and Belron associates, led by Harrison, is working on the implementation and planning for the integration of the two former competitors, and is expected to finalize plans in the coming months.
Belron US, a subsidiary of Belron S.A., is an automotive glass and claims management service organization based in Columbus, Ohio. The company is comprised of three major business operations that include automotive glass fulfillment services, operating under the trade names Safelite AutoGlass, Auto Glass Specialists, Glaspro, Elite Auto Glass, Windshield Pros; windshield manufacturing; and fleet and insurance claims management services. The privately held company employs more than 6,500 people.
Source: Belron US
www.safelite.com