Auto Glass Week™ starts September 9, but the Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC) is already hard at work in Reno, Nevada. AGSC and its National Windshield Repair Division (NWRD) discussed how to keep their services and standards up-to-date in a rapidly evolving industry.
AGSC’s Education Committee, credentialing committee, marketing committee and NWRD’s Repair of Laminated Automotive Glass Standard (ROLAGS) 2 Committee met September 7.
The education committee kicked off AGSC’s 2025 fall in-person committee meetings.
The education committee gathered first. The group reviewed the general certification exam questions and flagged ones to update according to the latest vehicle safety standards, proper procedures and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) developments. The committee also celebrated the upcoming debut of AGSC’s newest certifications, Glass-ADAS Calibration Specialist and Customer Service Representative (CSR).
“These new certifications are critical for future-proofing the industry,” AGSC president Jacques Navant told the group. “They couldn’t have happened without this group.”
The certifications launch during AGW 2025 with in-person training and testing sessions on Thursday, September 11, in the Reno Sparks Convention Center.
The credentialing committee reviewed AGSC’s member validation efforts over the past several months. Jeff Olive, AGSC’s director of quality and training, was not present due to a delayed flight. Still, AGSC director of operations Kathy Bimber reported that 99% of shops undergoing member audits passed.
“Most owners or managers of the shops Jeff audits tell him they’re grateful for the review because it helps them catch anything they’re doing that’s not up to the standard,” she said.
AGSC’s marketing committee brainstormed ways the council can help its members promote themselves and the benefits of AGRSS compliance to potential customers.
“[Members] come to AGSC looking for guidance and help developing marketing plans that incorporate the AGRSS Standard,” says Patricia Smiley, committee chair and president of Quackt Glass. “We want to provide that to them.”
The ROLAGS 2 committee discussed the importance of repair education within the auto glass industry. Linda Rollinson, the ROLAGS 2 committee chair and owner of Superior Auto Glass of Tampa Bay in Port Richey, Florida, says repairing rather than replacement is better for the environment and can also be a much more practical choice on larger vehicles.
The credentialing committee also met September 7. Robbie Price of Glass America, center, is the chair of the committee.
“I can easily do a repair, I can’t easily turn around and do a replacement on a fleet van with a large, heavy windshield,” Rollinson says.
Shiloh Spoo, president of GlasWeld, discussed the effect of hydrophobic windshield coatings on repairs. Spoo says if repairers clean the area properly, follow ROLAGS specifications, and use an appropriate resin, these coatings shouldn’t prevent a successful repair. Some resins don’t adhere as well.
“Certain formulations don’t ‘bite’ through any residual hydrophobics as well,” Spoo says. “A good resin should do that.”
AGSC and NWRD committee meetings, including the Standards committee meeting, continue September 8.
