The Power of Partnerships for Superior Auto Glass Replacement

Competing in a Fast-Changing Market

Gone are the days when replacing windscreens was a relatively straightforward task. Nowadays, it involves recalibrating cameras or sensors and ensuring they are aligned and working properly. Drivers want their cars back NOW, but repair shops must strike a balance between achieving fast drive-away times and safe, robust, efficient, and sustainable replacements. The use of the wrong products and uneven workmanship can jeopardize safety and certification – a fact that’s not only true for windscreens, but also headlights, sunroofs, spoilers and critical crash-point panel repairs.

Market Consolidation Opens Opportunities

According to Research And Markets Reports, the global automotive glass replacement market was valued at $35.19 billion* in 2023 and is projected to experience a robust annual growth rate of 9.4%, reaching $50.33 billion in 20271. While naturally adhesives are a fraction of these sums, Sika nonetheless benefits from this positive development. So it’s not surprising that we see daily TV commercials and promotions from the larger chains of vehicle glass replacement and repair. Despite some consolidation and plenty of competition,  the aftermarket for bonding products remains far more fragmented and “short-term” than the Automotive OEM business where strategic relationships are common. 

Staying Safe and Compliant 

With new regulations and technologies arriving daily, and to stay competitive, many replacement shops realize this “quick fix” approach has its limits. In Europe, as of August 24, 2023, new regulations have been implemented. The recently enacted legislation, known as REACH, aims to minimize workers’ exposure to chemicals – specifically, polyurethane windscreen adhesives, sealants and pretreatments (for products with more than 0.1% monomeric diisocyanates). Non-compliance with these regulations carries stiff penalties, prompting numerous AGR companies to urgently work towards achieving compliance. 

Building Trust

This is where Sika comes in – building stronger partnerships and collaborating with customers to find the optimal  solution for safer, more robust and efficient windshield replacement. With a presence in more than 100 countries and 100-plus years in the speciality chemicals business, the Swiss-based company is uniquely positioned for the job. Collectively, Sika adhesives are used in many hundreds of millions of windscreen replacements annually. 

New Local and Global Alliances

Sika collaborates daily with local, regional and global  customers. Recent partnerships in Europe and beyond high- light their commitment to knowledge sharing. These include Automotive Glass Experts (AGE), a network of 2,000+ workstations in more than 24 countries, as well as Glass drive,  a fast-growing European chain of auto glass replacement shops owned by Saint Gobain with almost 1,300 fitting centers in 11 European countries. In the latter case, a local shop approached Sika seeking innovative solutions to ensure  compliance with new regulations and inquire about a new product. “What began as a compliance update, has evolved into a comprehensive global training program across multiple markets. This included knowledge sharing about AGRSS regulations in the US market,” explains one Sika instructor, emphasizing, “A project of this scale is something only Sika could do. Just imagine the substantial savings on a local level, with hundreds of fully compliant local shops, and Sika supporting them right in their backyards.” 

Breakthrough SikaTack® Purform

In Europe, the topic of REACH has been on Sika’s R&D radar screen for years. In fact, the company has already upgraded its best-in-class auto glass adhesives and primers to a new Purform® version that is safe to use without the technicians doing the training. So that’s one new option for meeting the new REACH regulations without a lot of retraining. 

Tailored Solutions for USA 

Across the Atlantic, in the USA, which is not impacted by REACH, the automotive glass replacement market faces other challenges. For example, the emergence of advanced driver assistance (ADAS), LIDAR, radar, or in-car networking and other technologies is further changing the game. To meet the complexity, car glass replacement shops increasingly demand primerless, robust and reliable systems. In all this, Sika continues to keep its focus on innovation, simplicity, safety – and, increasingly, sustainability.

Teaming up in North America

Similar to their European counterparts, North American  car glass replacement chains are embracing new forms of  collaboration to enhance their competitive advantage. This trend is driven by consolidation among industry frontrunners, creating a heightened need for innovation and expertise gained through strategic partnerships. A prime example is Driven Brands, a major US provider of auto glass services in 42 states and Canada. Driven Brands quadrupled its footprint in the one year through the acquisition of Auto Glass Fitters, among other service brands, and has formed a strategic partnership with Sika. Similarly, VitrXpert of  Canada, another large chain, is teaming up with Sika for  their Total Security Concept.

Fast, Efficient and Safe

Whether its pretreatment-free products or other time- saving innovations, safety is always the top priority. In all instances, rigorous crash tests are conducted to meet the FMVSS 212 standards set by the US Department of  Transportation as well as adhering to AGRSS regulations.

Less Waiting, Fast Calibration, Any Temperature

In today’s “car culture”, where consumers prioritize swift vehicle return, Sika has teamed up with AGR chains to introduce a host of innovative, time-saving adhesives solutions. For example, SikaTack® MACH-30 XV is an all-in-one modulus adhesive with a 30-minute drive-away time.  Similarly, SikaTack® ULTIMATE offers excellent results, with no pretreatment required for glass or frit. These advanced systems outperform standard ones, enabling customers to get their cars back more quickly.

Eliminating Process Steps 

Interest among AGR chains in the US is clearly on the rise  for adhesives that are pretreatment-free and reduce costly processing steps. These technologies, which utilize efficient and sustainable approaches, can be rolled out across multiple sites, with training included. According to several North American customers, pretreatment-free options, offered in partnership with Sika, dramatically enhanced the overall customer experience and reduce costs associated with follow-up visits.

Partnerships to Elevate Quality, Safety and Sustainability

Through strategic partnerships, Sika is dedicated to enhancing quality, safety and sustainability for vehicle glass replacement and repair shops. Whether its a global alliance with AGE, a European collaboration with Glassdrive, or teaming up with leading North American players like Driven and VitrXpert, these stories demonstrate the company’s ambition to deepen relationships and share 40 years of expertise in this