Some manufacturing members of the windshield repair industry are looking to form an association, the mission of which is described as "to raise repair ratios, quality standards and promote the ethical and financial well-being of our industry."

The effort, spearheaded by Mike Boyle of Glas-Weld, has been in discussion for more than a year and was broached at the National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA) meeting in Minneapolis, Minn., in May.

At that time, the decision was made to create an NWRA manufacturer's subcommittee to address concerns and issues related directly to the manufacturing aspect of the repair industry.

"We want to respond directly to our client base in a different way than the NWRA. I think both can exist," said Boyle, adding that the new association will include a focus on the technical aspect of windshield repair.

According to Boyle, five windshield repair manufacturing companies are currently on board with the idea of a new association. Boyle said he contacted all the major windshield repair manufacturers about participating in the new association, but that all manufacturers are welcome.

The NWRA has not taken a position regarding the formation of the new association.

For more information about the association, contact Mike Boyle at Glas-Weld (mike@glasweld.com or 800/321-2597) or Kerry Wanstrath with Glass Technologies (kerry@gtglass.com or 970/247-9374).