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U.K.’s National Windscreens launches $1.45M nationwide calibration initiative

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About a month after competitor Autoglass announced a similar rollout, United Kingdom auto glass chain National Windscreens said Thursday it would offer advanced safety system calibration at all its 108 nationwide locations.

The move — requiring $1.45 million in training and equipment across National Windscreens — underscores the importance of calibrating Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) like autobraking and lane departure warnings in modern cars following a collision.

ADAS technologies often rely upon a camera behind the windshield to scan the road ahead, making calibration a logical offering for auto glass companies like National Windscreens and Autoglass.

“The positioning of these cameras means that if windscreens need replacing then these cameras will also need calibration to ensure the safety systems continue to work as intended,” National Windscreens technical manager Tim Camm said in a statement.

“… Our customers can rely on the fact that we are using the leading calibration technology available providing the widest possible coverage of all vehicle makes and models. Customers will also receive a certificate to show the work has been completed to the individual manufacturer’s specification.”

The actions by the two major glass companies should serve as a call to arms for both U.K. and American shops. If you’re not ready to manage vehicle electronics — particularly safety-related systems — you’re unable to serve modern vehicle owners, ceding ground to competitors and leaving a source of revenue on the table.

Shops on either continent which battle with insurers today over the need for OEM procedures, scans and calibration should also use the Autoglass and National Windscreens initiatives to make one’s case to adjustors.

Both companies are extremely friendly to insurers — National Windscreens bills itself as “‘The Perfect Fit’ for Insurers,” and Autoglass touts its “strong relationships” with major carriers — yet both see the necessity of the additional operation.

“The increasing use of ADAS is one of the biggest challenges in the vehicle glass replacement market and I am delighted to announce the launch of this truly UK-wide camera calibration service,” National Windscreens managing director Pete Marsden said in a statement.

“It is widely anticipated that by 2020, more than 40% of new vehicles will have at least two types of driver assistance system. In addition to our commitment to maintaining a truly national network of fitting centres to service this growing demand we appointed Tim Camm as technical manager to continue driving our technological leadership over the coming years. This all points to an exciting opportunity for us to demonstrate the market leading levels of customer service for which our brand is already renowned.”

Autoglass in April estimated that by 2020, 40 percent of the country’s fleet will require calibration following a windshield replacement. It also noted that 68 percent of drivers ignored OEM advice to calibrate their system, 31 percent which asked their dealership for advice received effectively a blank stare, while 53 percent received erroneous information.

Believing that by 2020, 40 percent of the country's fleet will require calibration following a windshield replacement, Autoglass has expanded a pilot calibration program across its entire United Kingdom operations. (Provided by Autoglass)

National Windscreens said Thursday any of its branches would be able to replace a windshield and calibrate the camera in a single visit for the user, “underlining its belief that outstanding customer service in this sector requires local presence.”

The company also has 800 mobile technicians, but the calibration will only be done at the 108 physical locations. Camm estimated the average U.K. driver would be within 11 miles or 20 minutes from those facilities.

Some vehicle systems calibration can or must be done on the road, but National Windscreen estimates about 75 percent of cameras/sensor calibration require the vehicle to be parked in “workshop conditions,” according to Camm.

“Some ADAS cameras and sensors can be calibrated by driving the vehicle (dynamic calibration), but a significant number of manufacturers require static calibration in workshop conditions to ensure accuracy,” Camm said in a statement.

“In fact, our figures show that around 75% of all camera sensors should be calibrated under workshop conditions for accuracy which is why I am delighted that we have invested in maintaining a truly national fitting centre network.”

Obviously, British and American shops will want to check the OEM procedures for each particular vehicle — as well as what else on the car requires calibration. As the Honda infographic below indicates, a windshield camera is just one element of the entire ADAS sensory system on cars today — with more to come.

This Honda graphic displays the Honda Sensing technology available for some of the 2016 model year. (Provided by Honda)

More information:

“National Windscreens launches its UK-wide ADAS service”

National Windscreens, May 5, 2016

Images:

The front-facing camera behind the windshield of the 2016 Honda Pilot can be seen. (Provided by Honda)

Believing that by 2020, 40 percent of the country’s fleet will require calibration following a windshield replacement, Autoglass has expanded a pilot calibration program across its entire United Kingdom operations. (Provided by Autoglass)

This Honda graphic displays the Honda Sensing technology available for some of the 2016 model year. (Provided by Honda)

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