I know many of you have heard in one way or another something about the changes taking place at GlassComp. Many of you have expressed your disappointment and frustration with the current state of the auto glass industry, and I'm here to tell all of you that I share your frustrations, and I have decided it is time to do something about it.

Many of you who know me know that I am very passionate about the auto glass industry and the survival and success of the independent glass vendor. Some of you may be surprised to know that I myself have spent most of my working life employed in the auto glass industry in one way or another. I started out working for a large auto glass company, moved on to open my own auto glass shops, and in the midst of all of it, was in the right place at the right time to start GlassComp.

I would like to look at now as another "right place, right time" opportunity. I have run myself ragged exploring every possible option in an attempt to figure out what the next step should be for GlassComp and our considerable resources. Through all the meetings and phone calls and long days it dawned on me, my heart and soul has always been in the independent auto glass business, and that is where GlassComp needs to put its focus.

From the beginning, our focus at GlassComp has been to introduce and maintain a functioning, prosperous relationship between the independent auto glass vendors and the insurance companies whose clients they service. Over time, the auto glass industry evolved in a way which left independent auto glass vendors, the backbone of the industry, on the outside looking in. We cannot tolerate it any longer. It is time for GlassComp to step up and guide the relationship between the auto glass industry and the insurance industry in a new direction, but we cannot do it without your commitment and support.

Throughout GlassComp's nearly 20 year history we have done business with thousands of independent glass vendors from all across the nation. It is clear that each one of you share some common values. You value honesty, quality work, fair pay, and your independence, but most you have no real connection or means of interaction with one another. Without that communication and connection there is no unified voice or cause.

Effective communication is essential to the success of any relationship, be it personal or business. GlassComp is here to offer a means of information sharing and communication for all independent auto glass vendors. If we can all put aside our differences and communicate with one another via a well designed medium, we will be taking the first step towards our goal of once again having some control over our industry and our future.

It is easy to blame the insurance companies, but they are in business to service their clients and make a profit just like you and I. Turn on your television for five minutes and you will see countless ads from insurance companies fighting for business. We cannot fault them for choosing what appears to be the most economical option, but we can give them another, better option. With your participation and support we will be able to work with the insurance companies and ensure their policyholders receive quality auto glass service at a fair price. It is no secret that customer retention is a top priority of any insurance company, and what better way to keep a policyholder satisfied than with excellent service from a local independent auto glass company. The current system is broken and it is time for us to fix it. You know as well as I do that it will not be easy and it will not happen overnight; however, in the end it will be worth it.

So I ask you, please do not cast this aside as wishful thinking and seriously consider becoming a member of what will eventually be the largest organized group of independent auto glass vendors in the nation. Give yourself a voice in your future. This is about your success just as much as it is about the success of GlassComp.

If you would like to learn more continue on to our membership area and fill out a membership form today. Please call with any questions or concerns you may have and I or a member of my staff will do what we can to address them. My contact information is provided below, and you can contact me 24/7, do not hesitate!

Richard Brummett

309-263-8620 (office)
309-696-3343 (cell)
reb3333@glasscomp.com