Auto Glass Repair Exec Becomes Habitat for Humanity Board Member

by Scott on November 8, 2011

An auto glass repair executive from Safelite, Rich Harrison, has just recently become one of the board members for the Habitat for Humanity branch in Greater Columbus.

Harrison, currently the COO and senior vice president at the major auto glass repair brand, has been working with Habitat for Humanity for some time now. His contributions to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore project in particular are noteworthy.

The ReStore project is one of Habitat for Humanity’s most popular projects. It is the equivalent of home improvement and hardware supply stores for those who are in need of more affordable supplies and building materials, yet without a drop in quality. The store basically operates by putting together various reusable and sometimes even new (often surplus) items from construction projects that can still be sold and used by the public. Some people even donate materials from buildings that are slated for demolition, if the materials are still salvageable, and all these items are sold to the general public through ReStore at heavily discounted prices. The revenues go to the organisational costs of running the Greater Columbus branch of Habitat for Humanity.

The ReStore project is an important initiative not only for its charitable purpose but also for the environmentally sound alternative it offers to those who do not know how to dispose of their old building materials, appliances, and furniture. With the environment getting more and more choked by an exponentially growing waste flow, environmentally-friendly recourses for disposing of old but still reusable materials are in great demand. Not only is the ReStore project the “green” choice in that regard, it is also the socially-responsible option, and one that people can be proud of taking. This makes it an extremely important scheme for infrastructure, community, and environmental development.

ReStore has offices in both the United States and Canada. Rich Harrison has been supporting the project for a while in the North American chapter and has done a great deal for the project. He initially became part of the Columbus community when he came to the auto glass repair brand about four years ago. This was around the same time that the company was acquired by the multinational auto glass services company Belron, and he was moved to Safelite from that larger company, for which he had worked only two years shy of a decade. In 2007, he transferred to Columbus and started to become active in the local area not only as an executive of his company but also as a socially responsible citizen, participating in various community events and social contributions.

The auto glass repair and services executive was installed as one of the board members of Habitat for Humanity’s Greater Columbus area at the end of September this year.

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New Braunfels Sheriff Does VIN Etching for Auto Glass

by Scott on November 8, 2011

It seems like all the law enforcement authorities are stepping up the plate to bat away auto theft these days.   The New Braunfels Sheriff’s Office in Texas has just joined the ranks of the many law enforcement agencies offering free auto glass etching for those who want their VIN (vehicle identification number) on their car glass.

The measure is intended to prevent thieves from stealing the cars because they know that automobiles with VINs etched on their auto glass are harder to “move” in the black market.  VINs can be tracked by any of various law enforcement authorities when the original owner submits them and reports theft of the vehicle.  Cars with VIN etchings are typically avoided by most car thieves as a result.

VIN etchings also cannot be removed, unlike stickers.  To get rid of the VIN etchings on a car, a thief would basically have to break the auto glass on every window and get rid of it, and then have every broken window replaced at a car service shop.  Obviously, the cost of the auto glass repair would factor in far more than the average thief would be willing to condone for the sake of making a profit on a single stolen item: no thief wants to have to go about doing more than necessary to be able to make money.  It is true that the auto glass would be replaceable, but it would add too many expenses as well as efforts for an average thief to accept.

Car thieves also usually remove the auto glass from cars in order to sell those parts.  Auto glass with VIN etchings obviously cannot be sold for very high prices—and if they are sold at all, it is usually for bottom prices due to the damage that would be incurred when the VIN etchings are scratched out of the glass.

The Sheriff’s Office of New Braunfels offered free VIN etching for locals last week, Thursday, at the Knights of Columbus Hall parking lot, etching glass from 10 o’clock in the morning to 1 o’clock in the afternoon.  The venue was right along Landa Street, across from the Wurtfest gates, where activity was also taking place in preparation for the Biting of the Sausage festivities that take place every year (this event was scheduled for the following day).

It is advised that those who have not had their cars’ auto glass etched yet do it as soon as possible to discourage thieves from taking their vehicles.  Every bit of prevention in worthwhile when it comes to major investments like our cars, and auto glass etching is actually very cheap, even if you cannot find a local facility that does it for free.  In fact, given the right tools, you may even etch your own vehicle’s glass yourself.

For more information please visit auto glass repair phoenix.

Privacy Auto Glass on Cinderella’s New Carriage by Maybach

by Scott on November 8, 2011

The luxury automotive manufacturer, Maybach, has just submitted its entry for the 2011 LA Auto Show Design Challenge, putting forth a recreation of the classic Berline carriage into an updated version of Cinderella’s enchanted pumpkin.  Among other things, the Maybach Berline is going to be fitted with oversized moulded auto glass panels for the gull-wing doors, a virtual chauffeur centre, and retractable stairs: Cinderella’s ideal fairytale experience, in other words.

The first thing that pops into your head when you see the Maybach Berline is simply awe.  The whole thing is gorgeous, and with the huge auto glass doors, looks like something that has popped straight out of a futuristic film.  This is in keeping with the theme of the contest: the LA Auto Show Design Challenge is basically a competition for various automakers to see which one can design the next “dream car” for Hollywood.

The Berline is in good standing in the competition.  Equipped with only the most luxurious amenities and provided with a teleoperation system that saves occupants of the car from having to deal with the (often intrusive) presence of a driver, the car is perfect for several dozen movie plots that are all takeoffs on the original Cinderella story.  Auto enthusiasts, especially those who loved the Mercedes-Benz GL Class, should also find another type of perfection in the car’s lines, as its futuristic look is not without references to some of the most popular cars of old.

The interiors are particularly attractive in the Maybach Berline.  One can practically envision all types of film sequences playing out in it due to the tête-à-tête positions of occupants—a return to the old horse-drawn carriages back in the day.

The Berline is going to be in stiff competition, though: also participating in the event are Mercedes-Benz, Subaru, Hyundai, and Honda.  Mercedes-Benz, which collaborated with Maybach in the creation of the Berline, is actually putting forth two entries from two separate branches, one from N. America and Germany.  The former is going to be fielding the Mercedes Silver Arrow, the latter the Smart 341 Parkour.  Subaru is going to be submitting the Subaru Horizon, designed by its team in Tokyo.  Hyundai is submitting the Stratus Sprinter, a car conceptualised for a vampire movie, and Honda is submitting the Honda Intelligent Horse, a futuristic concept car with striking lines and unusual wheels.

The concept cars all feature some sort of tweak or new technology, whether it is in the type of auto glass used or the very functionality of the vehicle.  The winner of the LA Auto Show Design Challenge this year is going to be announced on the 17th of this month, and car enthusiasts (as well as film-lovers) are already speculating heavily on which vehicle design shall take the prize.

For more information please visit auto glass phoenix.