Distributor Supports Small Shops with Auto Glass Education

National, regional and even large single-location auto glass companies typically have extensive knowledge, training and resources at their fingertips. Owners and technicians at small, independent shops, however, often lack the time, money or connections it takes to stay up-to-date. One glass distributor is happy to help bridge that gap.

“In a rapidly evolving automotive landscape, PGW is sharpening its focus on customer education, emphasizing the critical importance of safe windshield installation and calibration,” says Tim Glover, senior vice president of sales for Pennsylvania-based PGW Auto Glass. “While many larger customers have in-house teams equipped to stay current with emerging technologies, smaller businesses often rely on PGW’s expertise. We are committed to meeting that need.”

He says PGW offers customers hands-on training  at its facilities, educating technicians on the best practices for adhesives, installation and proper windshield-mounted camera recalibration.

“These in-person programs aim to give technicians the practical skills necessary to deliver safe, reliable service in an increasingly complex field,” he says.

Proper recalibration of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) is crucial to driver safety, Glover says, so that’s one of the areas PGW emphasizes most.

Peter Brown, president of Tiny & Sons Auto Glass and vice president of the Auto Glass Safety Council, spoke at PGW’s sales team conference.

ADAS and recalibration were discussion topics  at PGW’s recent national sales meeting. Peter Brown, president of Pembroke, Massachusetts-based Tiny & Sons Auto Glass, spoke at the event.

“There’s still a lot of concern about ADAS and how to connect independent shops with the right information to get calibrations done,” says Brown, who is also the vice president of the Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC).

Brown discussed the steps he took to bring recalibration into his own business, highlighting the key role education from glass and tool distributors played in his decision. He also told PGW’s sales team about AGSC’s own ADAS training and education initiatives, like the new Glass Calibration Specialist certification that debuted at Auto Glass Week™ 2025.

“[From what I observed], PGW is talking about partnering up more with AGSC,” he tells glassBYTEs/AGRR magazine. “The way they’re communicating with the independents is very good for the industry, especially considering how proper ADAS training is critical for safety.”

Brown says suppliers like PGW have been critical to helping his business succeed.

“Every salesperson that Tiny & Sons works with hears from technicians every day, and sharing the information they learn can help others avoid mistakes,” he says. “That kind of connection is so important.”

Glover added, “We anticipate that auto glass components will continue to grow in sophistication, bringing new challenges to installation and calibration processes.By investing in education and support now, PGW aims to ensure its customers are well-prepared for the next generation of auto glass technology.”