Safelite’s Acquisition of Freddy’s Glass Signals a Shift in Focus

The esteemed Freddy’s Glass, a Waco-based company with a 42-year history in the windshield replacement industry, has recently made the strategic decision to divest its automotive division. This decision allows the company to refocus its efforts on residential and commercial glass replacement. Safelite Group, a national company based in Columbus, Ohio, successfully persuaded Freddy’s Glass to cede its automotive sector after presenting a substantial financial offer. Rodney Duron, a member of the Duron family which owns and operates Freddy’s Glass, confirmed the sale during an interview on Thursday.

Safelite President and CEO, Renee Cacchillo, expressed admiration for the outstanding reputation that Freddy’s Glass has built in the local community and reaffirmed the commitment to maintaining the exceptional service that the community has come to expect. As part of the acquisition, Safelite Group will lease the current Freddy’s Glass location at 4301 Franklin Ave., while the Duron family relocates to a new facility. Despite the transition, Freddy’s Glass will retain 10 technicians on its payroll, while 10 technicians will join Safelite to contribute their expertise in replacing auto glass.

Established in 1947, Safelite Group boasts nearly 16,000 employees nationwide and operates two business divisions; Safelite AutoGlass and Safelite Solutions. Safelite AutoGlass specializes in the repair, replacement, and recalibration of auto glass, while Safelite Solutions offers fleet and insurance claims management services for vehicle glass and other claims. According to Rodney Duron, the decision to proceed with the deal was motivated by the desire to ensure the stability of the company amidst the changing landscape of the auto glass industry. Though Freddy’s Glass has made significant efforts to stay abreast of advancements in the field, they recognized the need to pivot their focus towards residential and commercial glass replacement, given the increasingly specialized and technically demanding nature of auto glass work.

A noteworthy aspect of the deal is the preservation of Freddy’s Glass’s long-standing reputation. Safelite has affirmed its intention to build upon the solid foundation that Freddy’s Glass has laid over the past 44 years. The Institute for Family Business at Baylor University recognized Freddy’s Glass & Mirror with its Founders Award in 2015.

In other automotive news, several car models are scheduled to be discontinued in 2023, including Acura ILX, Acura NSX, Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Chevrolet Trax, Ford GT, Honda Insight, Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Ioniq, Hyundai Veloster, Infiniti Q60, Lamborghini Aventador, Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Nissan Rogue Sport, Toyota Avalon, Volkswagen Passat, Jeep Grand Cherokee WK, and Ram ProMaster City.

As we observe these shifts within the automotive industry, it is crucial for consumers to consider various factors when purchasing new vehicles. Stay informed by subscribing to the “PennyWise” podcast, where we discuss 8 money-saving factors to consider when buying a new car, available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more.