Henderson Glass Working to Partner with Unnamed Auto Body Shop

Diversified Glass Services, which owns Henderson Glass, announced earlier this week that it is "taking a fresh look at its operations and core capabilities to ensure the company is poised for continued growth." (CLICK HERE for related story.) According to Paul Bradford, director of operations for the Rochester Hills, Mich.-based company, the company is working to team up with an auto body company to provide glass service to their customers.

"I'm seeing more and more non-glass companies going into the glass business and I'm looking to partner with an auto repair company in South Michigan to allow them to provide auto glass repair and replacement from their facility," Bradford told glassBYTEs.com™/AGRR magazine. "We would provide the installation and billing services with the insurance industry."

In all, he says he's hoping to offer a "one-stop solution" for customers who need both glass work and body repairs.

Bradford declined to name the company which Henderson officials are currently considering, but noted co-branding could be a possibility down the line.

"I envision more of a call for services so more or less we would be their glass division arm," he said. "When glass gets called in we'd take it over."

He adds, "We're trying to position ourselves as Michigan glass experts, which kind of goes well with the partnering concept. If the glass needs replaced, call the glass experts in."

This effort comes amid several other recent changes at the company, Bradford said.

"Obviously we have closed some of our buildings due to the economic realities," he said. We're increasing our mobile range but we are still trying to maintain as many brick and mortar locations as possible.

The recently closed locations were in Port Heron, Mich., Adrian, Mich., and Grand Rapids, Mich., though these areas are still covered by other Henderson shops.

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