Windscreen replacement firm sets sights on growth

Markerstudy says it hopes to employ up to 500 staff at Auto Windscreens in the next two years.

On Friday, Markerstudy snapped up the brand name of Auto Windscreens, its Chesterfield head office, the freehold properties and 19 of the leasehold sites.

More than 1000 Auto Windscreens staff lost their jobs after administrators Deloitte failed to get an offer for the whole business and save it from liquidation.

Markerstudy, which acquired Auto Windscreens through its subsidiary Trifords Limited, said 250 new jobs will be created in the new business immediately.

A number of staff made redundant last week are expected to reapply for jobs.

“We hope to be able to employ about 500 people going forward,” said director Gary Humphreys.

Auto Windscreens had an annual turnover of £63m and was ranked second largest firm in the UK windscreen market before it fell into administration on February 14 after running out of cash.

The company is now up and running however Markerstudy plans a further push to re-establish its position in the market.

It will become the windscreen replacement service for Markserstudy’s core insurance business and the company is also set to roll out an offering to its brokers.

It also hopes to bring a number of new insurance partners on board.

Auto Windscreenslost Aviva to Autoglass in December. Admiral signed a three-year deal with Auto Windscreens in December but switched to National Windscreens earlier this month.

Nigel Davies has been appointed to head the new company.

Markerstudy today completed the acquisition of Beal & Co.