Innovations for window repair

Innovations for window repair

Under the main theme “Innovations & highlights in the repair, replacement and bonding of windshields,” a specialist event took place at the Vienna Mobility Campus that dealt comprehensively with the latest developments and challenges in windshield repair and bonding. The headlight repair was also treated as an exciting side event. Together with the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, the State Vehicle Technology Guild and the State Vehicle Trade Committee, the company Innotec organized a specialist lecture with breakout sessions to promote the training and further education of specialists, to enable the exchange of experience and specialist knowledge at eye level and to strengthen the image of the professional group. The talk guests this evening were Birner managing director Franz Lettner, chief expert at the insurance association Alexander Bayer, Denzel division manager for body and paint damage Hannes Bauer, Innotec team manager Wolfgang Kern, Vienna state guild master Georg Ringseis and Reinhart Clark, owner of a body workshop.

Windshield technology has developed rapidly in recent years. Sensors and cameras integrated into the windshields offer new possibilities and challenges at the same time. The market development shows strong growth potential, particularly due to the increasing demand for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Pioneering innovations and new materials will revolutionize the market in the coming years. Reinhart Clark emphasized: "When making an appointment, it is important to ensure that all technical details of the windshield are collected so that a correct calculation can be created and waiting times for the customer are kept as short as possible. I would also like to thank the suppliers and calculation software providers in particular for helping us as independent workshops with a lot of information when ordering." Hannes Bauer added: “The key is work preparation, and as a brand company we have all the detailed documents for the numerous wind protection specifications.”

The safety of employees is the focus, especially with regard to the handling of diisocyanates. Comprehensive training and the use of hazard-free products are essential here. With innovative solutions such as the primerless MS polymer-based window adhesive presented by Innotec, workshops can work efficiently and safely. Wolfgang Kern emphasized: "There are now a lot of different windshield models on the market and it is particularly important that the specialists in the companies are properly trained by experts. Specifically on the specifications, the correct technical handling and the use of hazard-free chemical-technical products to protect employees and the environment. With our Safe Seal IQ, a primerless windshield adhesive based on MS polymer, we offer the right solution for all windshields." The auto parts market is faced with the task of using materials and resources more efficiently and reducing waste. Franz Lettner explained: “The importance for companies on this topic is that, on the one hand, we deliver the right part and, on the other hand, we ensure fast data access so that the latest technologies can be used correctly and efficiently in repairs.”

Investments in new technologies and continuous training are crucial for the long-term success of workshops. A detailed cost-benefit analysis shows that targeted investments can generate significant profits. By focusing on repairs instead of new purchases, both economic and ecological benefits can be achieved. Georg Ringseis explained: "In our company, we attach particular importance to the cross-generational exchange of information. Here, experience meets new, young ideas and thus we create maximum efficiency in repair training." Hannes Bauer added: “We do the training with our superiors and our foremen and invest a lot of time in it in order to keep the know-how up to date.” Alexander Bayer noted: "We experts also have the same challenges as all repair companies, because we have to make sure that all calculation systems used are up to date. The topic of sustainability is also an essential part of our processes, which will have to be documented for every repair in the future." For the Austrian insurance industry, the topic of windshields plays a crucial role in the area of ​​comprehensive insurance, as a high proportion is spent on repairing or replacing these components. Due to the large number of innovations in this area and the increased use of ADAS systems, these repairs are becoming massively and increasingly more expensive.