|
|
Wages on the rise?
On June 2, the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics,
released updated occupational employment statistics for auto glass installers
and repairers. As of May 2004, the average annual salary for auto glass
repair and replacement technicians was $29,080, up $820 from November
2003. Average hourly wages rose to $13.98 from $13.59. Minnesota overtook
Connecticut as the top-paying state for technicians, while Arizona maintained
its position as the state with the highest concentration of auto glass
technicians.
New report details auto and flat glass trends
Catalina Research Inc. of Boca Raton, Fla., released a market research
report in March detailing the state of the U.S. flat glass market. According
to the study, revenues for auto glass replacement shops declined 3.5
percent in 2003, despite experiencing a 4.2 percent gain in revenue
for the combined years of 1997 and 2002. The full report, "Flat Glass,
March 2005," is available by contacting the company at 561/988-0853,
editorial@catalinareports.com.
Demand for auto glass to top $800 million in 2005
The automotive maintenance and repair market will purchase $802 million
worth of glass this year, according to a report titled U.S. Purchases
of Flat Glass and Value-Added Flat Glass Products by End-Use Market
from Catalina Research of Boca Raton, Fla. The dominant buyer by far
will be car and truck producers, cornering more than $3.8 billion worth
of flat glass products in 2005.
Delayed reaction
Why do consumers delay replacing damaged windshields? According to the
2004 consumer survey "Understanding of Auto Glass & Awareness of Auto
Glass Safety," sponsored by the National Glass Association's Coalition
for Auto Glass Safety & Public Awareness, the No. 1 reason is not a
lack of money, but the fact that vehicle owners don't view the damage
as being sufficient enough to prompt replacement.
Customer satisfaction
When asked why they give their business to a particular AGR service
provider, consumers responding to a recent CASPA survey cited location/convenience
as the No. 1 reason, followed by insurance agent/company recommendation.
|
|
