Belron

Belron International Limited is a multinational automotive-glass service group whose activities cover windscreen and vehicle-glass repair, replacement and advanced-driver-assistance-system recalibration. Rather than presenting one universal consumer identity, the group operates through established local brands, including Safelite in the United States; Carglass across much of Europe, Brazil and Chile; Autoglass in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Poland; Hurtigruta Carglass in Norway; Lebeau and Speedy Glass in Canada; O’Brien in Australia; and Smith & Smith in New Zealand. This multi-brand structure allows Belron to retain local recognition while coordinating technology, operating expertise, procurement and corporate capabilities at group level. The business traces its origins to 1897, when it began in Cape Town, South Africa, as the family company Jacobs & Dandor. It was acquired and renamed Plate Glass Bevelling and Silvering in 1899. In the early twentieth century, the company developed from a general glass business into a specialist participant in the emerging automotive-glass industry. City Glass Bevelling & Silvering Works acquired Plate Glass in 1917, and the businesses were merged in 1919. Important technical developments included obtaining business rights connected with curved-windscreen production in 1953 and introducing laminated rear windows in 1958. Belron began building an international platform in 1971 with the acquisition of O’Brien in Australia. It subsequently expanded into the United Kingdom, where Autoglass and Windshields were acquired and merged as Autoglass Windshields in 1983. In 1990, its international acquisitions and operations were consolidated under the Belron name. The group’s expansion continued through additional country-level acquisitions and franchise relationships, including the 2007 acquisition of Safelite, then the leading vehicle-glass service business in the United States. Belron serves several customer groups. Individual motorists use its retail and mobile services, while insurance companies, vehicle-leasing businesses, fleet operators and car-rental companies use the group for managed repair and replacement programs. As vehicle technology has advanced, the scope of the service has broadened beyond fitting glass. Many modern windscreens contain cameras, sensors or other components associated with driver-assistance systems, making post-replacement calibration an important part of the customer proposition. The company has historically had a strong family-management connection. Gary Lubner became chief executive in 2000, following earlier leadership by his father and grandfather, and remained a central figure in the group’s international development. Carlos Brito succeeded him as chief executive in 2023. Belron is headquartered in Egham, United Kingdom, and operates across 42 countries through wholly owned businesses and franchises. The reference material reports that the group completed 17.1 million jobs and generated total sales of €6.72 billion in 2025. Belron’s present positioning is therefore that of a global specialist infrastructure and service platform for vehicle glass, combining local consumer brands with centralized scale and technical capabilities.

Belron’s history begins in 1897 in Cape Town, South Africa, where Jacobs & Dandor was established as a family business. The company was purchased two years later and renamed Plate Glass Bevelling and Silvering. Its later development was shaped by consolidation and increasing specialization in architectural and automotive glass. City Glass Bevelling & Silvering Works acquired Plate Glass in 1917, and the two businesses were merged in 1919. During the first half of the twentieth century, the company built expertise in glass processing and then benefited from the growing use of glass in motor vehicles. It secured business rights associated with curved-windscreen production in 1953, an important development as automobile design moved away from flat panes. In 1958, it introduced laminated rear windows. These developments helped establish the technical and commercial foundations for a later focus on vehicle-glass repair and replacement. Belron’s transformation into an international group began in 1971 with the acquisition of O’Brien in Australia. This transaction gave the company a major operating base outside South Africa and demonstrated the acquisition-led approach that would define much of its subsequent growth. Expansion into the United Kingdom followed through the acquisition of Autoglass and Windshields. Those businesses were merged in 1983 as Autoglass Windshields, creating a stronger British platform. In 1990, the group brought its international acquisitions and operations together under the Belron name. The corporate identity served as an umbrella for a collection of consumer-facing brands rather than replacing all of them with a single global label. This model enabled local businesses to preserve market familiarity while benefiting from common ownership, operating knowledge and international resources. The group continued to expand across Europe and other regions through wholly owned operations and franchises. A major North American milestone came in 2007, when Belron acquired Safelite, described in the reference material as the United States market leader. Safelite became the group’s principal American brand and added significant scale in a market where vehicle-glass work is closely linked to insurance claims, mobile service and fleet relationships. Belron’s leadership also reflects the company’s family-business origins. Gary Lubner became chief executive in 2000, following leadership by both his father and grandfather. Under his tenure, the company continued its international development and strengthened its position as a global vehicle-glass specialist. Carlos Brito succeeded Lubner in 2023. The contemporary business operates in 42 countries through wholly owned companies and franchise partners. Its services include repair and replacement of windscreens and other vehicle glass, mobile installation, and recalibration of systems affected by windscreen replacement. The customer base extends from private motorists to insurers, leasing companies, fleet operators and rental-car businesses. Belron is headquartered in Egham, United Kingdom. The reference material reports that in 2025 it completed 17.1 million jobs and recorded total sales of €6.72 billion, illustrating the scale reached by a business that began as a South African family glass company.

1. 2023Carlos Brito becomes chief executive

   Carlos Brito succeeded Gary Lubner as chief executive.

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2. 2007Safelite acquired

   Belron acquired Safelite in the United States, significantly expanding its North American presence.

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3. 2000Gary Lubner becomes chief executive

   Gary Lubner was appointed chief executive, continuing a family connection to leadership of the business.

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4. 1990International operations grouped under Belron

   The group’s international acquisitions and operations were consolidated under the Belron name.

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5. 1983Autoglass and Windshields merge in the United Kingdom

   The acquired UK businesses Autoglass and Windshields were merged as Autoglass Windshields.

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6. 1971International expansion begins with O’Brien

   Belron’s predecessor began international expansion through the acquisition of O’Brien in Australia.

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7. 1958Laminated rear windows introduced

   The company introduced laminated rear windows as part of its vehicle-glass development.

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8. 1953Curved-windscreen technology rights secured

   The company secured business rights connected with curved-windscreen production.

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9. 1919Businesses merge

   City Glass and Plate Glass were merged into one business.

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10. 1917City Glass acquires Plate Glass

    City Glass Bevelling & Silvering Works acquired Plate Glass, beginning the corporate combination that led to the 1919 merger.

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11. 1899Business renamed Plate Glass Bevelling and Silvering

    The company was purchased and given the name Plate Glass Bevelling and Silvering.

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12. 1897Jacobs & Dandor established

    The family business that later developed into Belron was founded in Cape Town, South Africa, as Jacobs & Dandor.

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A global vehicle-glass specialist that combines locally trusted repair and replacement brands with international scale, insurance and fleet relationships, mobile service capabilities, and windscreen-related technology expertise.

• Vehicle windscreen repairAutomotive glass service

  Belron’s operating brands repair eligible windscreen damage for motorists, insurers and fleet customers. Repair services are delivered through local service centres and mobile technicians, depending on market and customer requirements. The service forms one part of the group’s broader vehicle-glass proposition and can help customers avoid a full windscreen replacement where the damage and vehicle specifications permit repair.

• Vehicle windscreen replacementAutomotive glass service

  Windscreen replacement is Belron’s core international service category. Its brands supply and install replacement windscreens for private vehicles, commercial fleets, rental cars and insured motorists. The work may be performed at a fixed location or through a mobile operation. Modern replacement also requires attention to cameras, sensors and other equipment mounted around the windscreen.

• Other vehicle-glass replacementAutomotive glass service

  The group’s market brands also provide replacement of side windows, rear windows and other vehicle-glass components. Availability and product range vary by country and brand. These services support the same insurance, fleet, rental and direct-retail customer relationships that underpin Belron’s windscreen business.

• ADAS recalibrationVehicle technology service

  Many newer vehicles use windscreen-mounted cameras or sensors for advanced driver assistance functions. After certain glass replacements, these systems may require recalibration. Belron’s service scope includes recalibration associated with vehicle-glass replacement, extending the business beyond traditional fitting and positioning it as a technology-aware automotive service provider.

• 2007Acquisition of SafeliteM&A

  Belron sought to expand its international vehicle-glass platform and establish a larger presence in the United States.

  What changed. Belron acquired Safelite, described in the reference material as the US market leader, and continued operating the business under its established brand.

  Aftermath. The transaction strengthened Belron’s North American footprint and reinforced its strategy of operating through well-known local brands.

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• 1990Creation of the Belron international group identityStrategy

  The company had accumulated international acquisitions with different local identities and needed an umbrella structure for its expanding operations.

  What changed. International acquisitions and operations were grouped under the Belron name while consumer-facing market brands continued to operate in their respective countries.

  Aftermath. The multi-brand model became a defining feature of the group’s international operating structure.

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• 2025Belron reports 2025 jobs and sales figures

  Belron reported completing 17.1 million jobs and generating total sales of €6.72 billion in 2025.

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• 2023Carlos Brito succeeds Gary Lubner as Belron chief executive

  Carlos Brito became chief executive of Belron after Gary Lubner, who had led the group since 2000, left the role.

  Leadership change
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• 2007Belron completes acquisition of Safelite

  Belron acquired Safelite, the leading vehicle-glass service business in the United States, strengthening its North American operations and extending its multi-brand international platform.

  M&A
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1. Belron
2. Belron official website