Toronto, Ontario — Earlier this year, Collision Repair issued a survey to its readers, asking the industry how it felt about auto glass repair and replacement amid rapidly-advancing vehicle tech.
When the results came in, many shop owners expressed concerns about the difficulty of performing windshield and other glass repairs given the presence of ADAS systems and sensors. About 40 percent of respondents said they had a single technician capable of performing glass repairs and replacements, while 38 percent said they have no one at all.
“The technology they are putting in windshields—the sensors and cameras—is one of the biggest obstacles our shop faces when performing auto glass repairs,” said one respondent.
While glass repairs and replacements can be tricky, time-consuming and technology-heavy, they surely aren’t impossible. According to Charles Morin, a Belron technician at Lebeau Vitres d’autos in Gatineau, Que., ADAS systems aren’t actually all that complex—if you get to know them.
Charles, who boasts more than 18 years of hands-on repair experience, recently snagged first place in Belron’s “Best of Belron” Ontario regional competition. The competition saw Belron techs compete head-to-head in a series of glass repair challenges, with all participants hoping to earn themselves a spot in the Canadian final in January.
Collision Repair caught up with Charles post-competition to talk glass repair and the state of ADAS recalibration in the collision repair industry.
Collision Repair: Charles, how did you first become involved in the industry?
Charles Morin: I have been interested in cars since I was a kid, so that’s what originally piqued my interest and made me want to work in auto repair. I’ve been working in collision repair for 18 years now, so I’d say I am fairly experienced.
CR: What originally made you want to compete in the Best of Belron competition?
CM: This was my third time competing at the regional Best of Belron competition. I’ve been a technician for Belron for 15 years and I’m always pushing my limits. I thought the competition would be a great way to improve my skills and become the absolute best tech I can be. I’m aiming to perfect my technique, as well as meet and network with other technicians from around the country.
I am very proud of myself because, in spite of the stress of the competition, I remained focused on the final objective, which is to achieve the two challenges in a timely manner while respecting the high standards of windshield replacement and repair at Lebeau Vitres d’autos. I look forward to representing Ontario at the Canadian final.
CR: What sorts of tasks and judging criteria did the competition entail?
CM: The Best of Belron competition is essentially the Olympic Games of regional collision repair and windshield replacement.
To start, interested contestants must fill out an application form, then Belron officials visit the shop to evaluate them and assure they are fit for competition. This year, more than 100 candidates were evaluated by Belron Canada’s technical team trainers to qualify for regional competitions.
At the regional competition, techs are asked to complete an 80-step repair challenge and a 125-step windshield replacement according to Belron’s standards. The judges look for the technician that efficiently completes the challenges with respect to these standards. In each of the five regions—Ontario, the Maritimes, Quebec, the Prairies and British Columbia— the top technician is selected for the national competition, which will be held in Montreal in January. The national winner will then go to Barcelona, Spain in June 2020 to compete at the international level.
CR: Why do you think so many collision repair facilities are wary of offering glass repair and replacement in-house?
CM: I can’t speak for other facilities, but I know that Belron consciously decided to become a leader in this field. The company made the choice to offer recalibration and become a one-stop-shop for windshield repair and ADAS services, partnering with the Bosch company to develop and acquire its ADAS calibration equipment.
That’s always a big investment to consider. Smaller shops and boutiques don’t always have the means or finances to get this equipment and offer ADAS recalibration, so they avoid it.
CR: Many repairers say that advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are presenting some of the industry’s most pressing challenges right now. Would you agree?
CM: I’ve been working with ADAS since 2014, and yes, it is a lot of work and there is a lot of time invested in these repairs. But the issue of complexity isn’t with ADAS itself—the system is fairly straightforward. It’s more about the cost of the equipment. As I said, Belron made the conscious choice to offer recalibration, and it’s paid off.
