Auto Windscreens is the first national automotive glazing supplier to receive accreditation from SAFEcontractor, an SSIP scheme (Safe Systems in Procurement) that recognises very high standards of health and safety practice amongst UK businesses.

Under the SAFEcontractor accreditation system, Auto Windscreens went through a vetting process, which examined health and safety procedures and its track record for safe practice.

"Health and safety has always been high on the corporate agenda of Auto Windscreens, and our Management Team encourages an interest in health and safety amongst all colleagues" said Vanessa Jones, Health and Safety Manager.

"We ask our colleagues to take time to report problems with standards, work instructions, procedures or any other aspects of health and safety that they have concerns about."

Windscreen repair and replacement involves not only heavy pieces of glass but sensitive bonding substances which need to be regulated by health and safety procedures.

"SAFEcontractor accreditation has shown that this approach pays off".

A comprehensive schedule of companies that are accredited by the scheme, and have therefore achieved the prescribed high standards, are accessible in an online database on the website www.safecontractor.com

Notes to Editors:


About Auto Windscreens

We are a leading automotive glazing company with over 40 years’ experience; servicing customers throughout the UK and across all sectors from managed fleet to insurance. With a nationwide network of fitting centers and backed by a fleet of mobile service units, we are experts in
windscreen repair and automotive glass replacement . Our Head Office is in Chesterfield, where our dedicated contact centre is also located. We are committed to achieving the highest standard of work alongside focussing on our core business objectives founded on total customer satisfaction.

For further information, contact:
Lizzie Smith-Foreman
Head of Group Marketing and Communications, Markerstudy Group
E:lsmith-foreman@markerstudy.com
T: 0844 854 8714
M: 07875 652075
W: www.autowindscreens.co.uk

Auto Windscreens Technical Training Centre has once again had its approved Centre status confirmed by GQA Qualifications, which now means that Auto Windscreens has held this status for almost 20 years.

Mick Clayton, Acting Chief Executive of GQA, the Awarding Organisation for Automotive Glazing qualifications visited Chris Bonsall, Technical Training Manager at the Auto Windscreens Training Centre in Chesterfield in August to carry out the annual Quality Assurance process that all GQA Approved Centres are subject to.

Mick said "It was great to see that despite changes within Auto Windscreens, training and qualifications for its Technicians remains a key part of the business strategy. Auto Windscreens is by far the most prolific Employer Centre we work with in terms of numbers of qualified employees and we are delighted to approve Auto Windscreens once again to deliver qualifications in Automotive Glazing.

"Over the years we receive a number of enquiries and applications from potential Centres wishing to deliver GQA qualifications and we have a comprehensive approval process that checks the suitability of facilities, resources, policies and procedures and perhaps the most important aspect of all is the experience and occupational competence of those involved in the assessment and quality assurance of the qualifications. The team at Auto Windscreens are second to none in this respect and the whole set up is something we are very happy with. GQA are proud to be associated with such a well-known brand as Auto Windscreens and we look forward to many more years working together."

Qualifications for Technicians is becoming a factor in securing new business and PAS 125, a Code of Practice for work done in Bodyshops, has the requirement for qualified Technicians as one of its key factors.

Chris Bonsall, Head of Training and Innovation at Auto Windscreens said "Having worked with GQA since the early 1990s I know how keen they are to keep standards high in their Approved Centres and also to make sure the qualifications are kept current and fit for purpose, and I look forward to using the latest qualifications from GQA to help develop our Technicians and in turn secure additional contracts from customers."

- Ends -

Notes to Editors:


About Auto Windscreens

We are a leading automotive glazing company with over 40 years’ experience; servicing customers throughout the UK and across all sectors from managed fleet to insurance. With a nationwide network of fitting centers and backed by a fleet of mobile service units, we are experts in
windscreen repair and automotive glass replacement. Our Head Office is in Chesterfield, where our dedicated contact centre is also located. We are committed to achieving the highest standard of work alongside focussing on our core business objectives founded on total customer satisfaction.

For further information, contact:
Lizzie Smith-Foreman
Head of Group Marketing and Communications, Markerstudy Group
E:lsmith-foreman@markerstudy.com
T: 0844 854 8714
M: 07875 652075
W: www.autowindscreens.co.uk

Insurance Factory, the Birmingham based Insurance specialist, sponsored Japanese Performance ‘Ten of the Best’ last month.

The insurance Factory, cater for a wide range of customers and pride themselves on offering a solution to those people who have difficult or specific insurance needs.

Ten of the Best attracts owners of modified and imported cars, many of whom are insured by The Insurance Factory.

The event saw competitors travel from all over the UK and Ireland, with over 7500 visitors during the two days.

Clive Fulcher, whose day job is Head of Direct Products for Zenith Insurance, part of Markerstudy Group, picked up the trophy for Team Subaru for the overall team event in his first year as team captain.

Steven Darley of Team Subaru was the proud winner of the overall individual points title, with the fastest qualifying car for all three disciplines including a max speed of over 194mph over the standing kilometre, which was achieved in just 17 seconds!

Clive proved he was a natural team captain, seeing his two fastest cars make it through to the drag race final!

Good effort Clive, we hope to see you there next year!

- Ends -

Notes to Editors:
The Markerstudy Group includes the insurance arm of the business: Markerstudy Insurance Company Limited and Zenith Insurance plc (acquired in January 2010) plus supporting companies Markerstudy Limited and Zenith Insurance Management UK Limited, providing distribution, claims and administrative support.

The following brands operate within the Markerstudy Retail Division: The Insurance Factory, Insurance Factory.com, Insurance Shop, Insurance Factory Commercial, Mobilers and Caterer’s Club, all of which offer value and choice to a wide range of customers.

Wessex Finance, a sub-prime lending and premium finance facility is also an integral part of the Markerstudy Group.

The Markerstudy Group also encompasses Auto Windscreens, which joined the Group in February 2011, and Tonbridge Coachworks Vehicle Repair Group (which incorporates Tonbridge Coachworks, European Automotive Solutions and Canterbury Accident Repair Specialist) acquired in June 2011.

For further information, contact:
Lizzie Smith-Foreman
Head of Group Marketing and Communications
Markerstudy Group

Tel: 0844 854 8714
Email: lsmith-foreman@markerstudy.com
www.markerstudy.com