Auto glass typically takes up its own corner of the glass world. Setting a windshield is very different from glazing a skyscraper or installing windows. Still, there’s value in collaboration. One industry veteran plans to bridge those gaps with his newly acquired company that aims to help all sectors.
Tim Widner recently acquired the North American agency rights and operations of Evolution Glass Technology Inc., a move he has been planning for the last two and a half years. Widner’s 30 years of experience make him an ideal candidate to be president of a company dealing with multiple sectors.
Tim Widner has over 30 years of experience in the glass industry.
“I’m in a unique position where I’ve worked in all the segments,” he says. “I want to connect them. I’ve always scratched my head about why they’re so separate.”
Widner had been the vice president of glass and glazing systems at Lippert Components, which supplies window glass for RVs, transit vehicles and trucks, among other things, before deciding to pursue this new project. It was hard to leave, he says, but he knew it was time.
Most of Widner’s experience has been in manufacturing and engineering, so he’s excited to branch out with Evolution Glass Technologies.
“I’m sort of bringing the blue-collar perspective into the white-collar aspect of the glass industry,” he says.
Evolution Glass Technologies will have a five-pronged approach, according to Widner. The first “prong” is a parts and equipment agency service. The goal is to represent foreign equipment manufacturers selling products in the United States, and Evolution is already in the process of negotiating some of those relationships.
The company will be picky about the products it represents, Widner says.
“We’re only going to work with equipment I’d buy for my own facilities,” he says. “I want the best on the market.”
The second prong is float and fabricated glass distribution, focusing on glass that is typically difficult to obtain in the U.S.
“We don’t want to compete with our customers,” Widner says. “We’re focusing on valuable, hard-to-find glass.”
International original equipment manufacturers don’t always send parts for specific vehicles, such as high-end electric vehicles or European-made cars, to the U.S. Widner’s goal is to ensure that U.S. auto glass professionals have access to them.
“We don’t plan to take away from U.S.-made glass,” he says. “There just isn’t a lot of this kind of glass made in the U.S.”
Evolution Glass Technology will offer equipment transportation logistics. Image provided by Tim Widner.
Widner refers to the third prong as a “passion project.” Evolution will act as a “dot connector” to introduce international innovators to interested parties in the U.S. Widner’s primary desire is to help the glass industry grow.
The fourth prong also serves that goal. Evolution will provide equipment service and engineering and automation support. Widner estimates that the glass industry is about “10 to 15 years behind when it comes to automation,” so he hopes his company can help change that. Evolution will also help companies with equipment transportation logistics.
Evolution’s fifth and final prong is offering consulting and advisory services to glass companies. Widner says he looks forward to sharing his 30-plus years of experience to help companies grow.
Widner says offering such a variety of services and dealing with multiple glass sectors can be daunting.
“I’m nervous as hell, but I’m also excited as hell,” he says.
Evolution’s small team is still growing. Widner plans to assemble a group just as passionate about innovating the glass industry as he is.
“At the end of the day, I want to make sure I’m moving the glass industry forward,” he says.
