d'ieteren auto

will seek to further leverage its global scale in key functional areas
while also sharing best practices both with the Safelite business
and from Safelite across its global operations.
Safelite Group Inc. had sales of around USD 592 million (EUR 457
million) for the year ended 31 March 2006 and is the only provider
in the United States with a fully integrated business model
that comprises vehicle glass repair and replacement operations,
vehicle glass claims management, vehicle glass manufacturing
and wholesale distribution services.
Safelite provides the most extensive company-owned vehicle glass
repair and replacement operations in the US, covering 93% of the
population. With around 3,500 fi eld-based associates and around
2,200 mobile service vehicles, the company’s national operations
perform more than 2.2 million vehicle glass repairs and replacements
annually. Safelite also holds an industry-leading position in
outsourced vehicle glass claims management. Supported by two
national call centres, and an extensive technology platform directly
linked to its clients, Safelite provides complete and tailored claims
processing solutions for more than 100 insurance carriers and
fl eet management companies, including multi-year contracts with
the major ones. Coupled with the company’s extensive national
network of more than 10,000 affi liates and its reputation for the
highest levels of service in the industry, Safelite processes approximately
4 million transactions annually.
chain system also enables it to sell approximately 1 million wholesale
glass units annually to independent third party glass shops
and other distributors.
The acquisition by Belron of this large, profi table and well run company
brings Belron’s sales close to the EUR 2 billion mark – a greater
than twofold increase since its acquisition by D’Ieteren in 1999 –
and enhances its profi ts, thereby validating D’Ieteren’s strategy of
strengthening its own stake in Belron.
The company’s manufacturing and distribution operation provides
Safelite with guaranteed supply, effi cient procurement and logistical
support. This highly fl exible and scalable model consists of
1 manufacturing facility and 81 warehouses. The company’s supply
44 D’IETEREN - ANNUAL REPORT 2006