March 2017

Welcome

We invite our members to participate by sending in articles, release company announcements, post non-MGA events on our website for others in the industry to see, etc. Please send articles/pictures/ announcements to: [email protected] and it will be included in the next electronic newsletter. 

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President's Report

Hello,

My name is Beau Knock with Empirehouse, Inc.  I am proud to serve as the 2017 President of the Minnesota Glass Association.  Our Association grew in 2016.  Welcome to all new members and thank you for the continued support from our regular and affiliate members.  We want to continue the growth in 2017 to insure the Association remains strong and in place for years to come.  There has been a lot of activity over the last year, and even as recent as this past week, at The State Capitol with proposed legislature that can have an impact on our Auto Glass Members.  The MGA has a voice at the Capitol and, with 40+ years, our voice carries weight.  The MGA is in place to protect both the Auto and Flat glass industries.  We don’t know what the future holds, but by strengthening this Association, we know that whatever does come we will not be alone in the fight.  I look forward to seeing you all out at our events over the next year.  Let’s make 2017 a great year for the MGA.

Thanks, 

Beau Knock
MGA President
Project Manager
EMPIREHOUSE, INC. | 5200 Quincy Street Mounds View, MN 55112
P: 763.535.1150  |  DD: 763.412.4528  |  F: 763.535.9151
www.empirehouse.com

                     

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Calendar of Events

Tuesday, April 11
Negotiating Construction Contracts 

CLICK HERE for details & to register

                      

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Industry News

Press Release March 10, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For additional information contact Rick Zirbes
952-884-7702
[email protected]

Smart Express Opening Advanced Calibration and R&D Center Bloomington, MN (March 10, 2017) –

Smart Express announced the planned opening in April, in Golden Valley, MN of its new advanced calibration center. The facility is a place where windshield repair specialists can come and install windshields on cars and at the same time have calibrations performed on them post repair. The post calibration process assures that the repair technician adheres to an OEM’s recommended safety calibration requirements.

The center has seven separate repair bays where glass repair and calibration services can be carried out. Specially trained technology mechanics perform all calibration services. The center is set up to provide OEM calibration services on more than 25 car brands. All services are performed with OEM certified software and hardware calibration solutions and in strict accordance with their calibration requirements and recommendations. 

A list of services provided at the calibration center include:
- 360 Camera Calibration - Adaptive Cruise Control Calibration - Collision Avoidance - Forward Camera Calibration - Module Programming and Coding - Airbag System Analysis and Repair - OEM Level Diagnostic Systems - Blind Spot Monitor Calibration - Complete Computer Diagnostics

“We are thrilled to be able to open this center,” said Rick Zibres, founder, and CEO of Smart Express. “It has been a goal of our team, since founding Smart Express a year ago, to provide such a resource and make it available to other repair specialists. We decided to open this center to augment our mobile calibration and repair services and support the increasing demands in the market for calibration services by independent glass repair groups.” Any glass repair specialist can schedule the use of the facilities or the services of one of our calibration experts by calling our service line.”

About Smart Express, Inc. www.smartexpress.com

Smart Express is the leader in smart car repair. It services the technology controlling today's cars. It provides its technology-based services to Dealers, independent repair centers, and large repair organizations helping them solve their most critical and complex technology related problems. In addition to its new Calibration Service Center, it delivers it services via a fleet of mobile service vans. Its mobile fleet services allow Smart Express to provide advanced safety system repairs at a company’s location allowing the firm to respond quickly to its customers' service needs. Smart Expressed technology mechanics perform at the highest of levels and address challenging technology issues that others cannot. It provides its services in strict accordance with OEM requirements and recommendations.

MGA Advertising and Specifications 

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New Members Spotllight

GlassSource is an auto, home and business glass replacement business,  with convenient mobile service throughout the Twin Cities and adjacent  counties. Our trained auto glass technicians and glaziers are  experienced glass replacement professionals and our customer service  representatives provide informed and friendly service to ensure customer satisfaction.

As a family-owned glass company in St. Paul, MN, we are truly dedicated to the satisfaction of clients and the success of our business. 
Backed by an impressive amount of accumulated experience, all of the glass installers on staff are certified by the National Glass Association, and can handle any glass repair or replacement in a timely manner. We use glass from the original manufacturer whenever possible to guarantee superior quality and durability. We work with Auto Glass, Windshields, Doors, Residential Glass, Glass Cabinets and Mirrors.

Twin Cities Auto Glass is a locally owned and operated company. Our professional office staff combined with our experienced AGRSS Certified Auto Glass Technicians (www.safewindshields.org) will work together to make the repair or replacement of your auto glass stress free. Combined, we have over 100 years of experience, which has allowed us to become a Twin Cities industry leader in both quality and service.  We are referred by and provide service for insurance agents, automobile dealerships, and fleet accounts across the Twin Cities.

MGA Member Benefits

CLICK HERE for details on becoming a MGA member

• Advocate for common interests!
• MGA has a dedicated lobbyist in St. Paul working for us
• Updates to our members on Safety Issues, Legislative Issues and New Technology
• Seminars & training – reduced rates for members!
• Quarterly eNewsletter - Members welcome to submit articles or company news!
• Promote your events on the MGA website
• Save money with our Holiday Station program
• Core Health & Dental Program - provides limited medical indemnity plans which are designed and
     priced to help people gain access or save money on healthcare
• Discounts through NGA (National Glass Association)
  * MyGlassClass.com online training
  * Industry Reference & Technical Manuals - up to 50% off 
  * Discounts on OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 online training, hosted by UL, a trusted source of OSHA- 
     approved training.
  * UPS - up to 26% off UPS Express air and international shipments and a minimun of a 70% discount
     plus customized rate packages on UPS Freight
  * Glass Magazine and e-glass weekly - free  subscription
  * Window & Door Magazine and WDweekly - free subscription
  * GlassBuild America: The Glass, Window & Door expo- NGA discounts on attendee registration for
     the largest gathering of glass industry professionals in the Americas
  * Express Learning at GlassBuild America 
  * Glazing Executives Forum - exclusive NGA member rate for the premier all day education and
     networking event for glass and glazing executives, taking place in conjuction with GlassBuild
     America

New Perk for MN Glass Association Members from Smart Express...

The facility will have a neutral site at 35.00 a bay per car install. For the vehicles that are getting a calibration performed on the vehicle that had the windshield installed they will receive a bay credit against the bay charge. 

During the time the facility is being remodeled their will be a 50% rebate on the use. For as little as 17.50 per car, members, will be able to use the facility to install a windshield only and at no charge with a paid calibration till April 30 2017. 

Other benefits include night time drop off, Wi-Fi access, video surveillance and online scheduling.

* If you have anything you would like to pass on to MGA members, please email them to [email protected]. Thank you!

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Board of Directors

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