What National Windscreens does

National Windscreens (legal entity Cary UK Limited) is the UK's leading specialist provider of vehicle glass repair and replacement services, operating since at least the mid-1980s as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cary Group, a pan-European car care services conglomerate. The company runs the country's largest dedicated fitting-centre network — over 100 sites holding approximately £10 million of glass stocks — alongside a 600-strong mobile technician workforce that puts a technician within an average of 11 miles (20 minutes) of any UK postcode, supported by a 24/7 Tamworth contact centre handling more than one million calls annually.

Its core offering spans windscreen repair (often free under insurance policies), windscreen and side/rear window replacement, and ADAS camera recalibration, with specialist variants for plant/agricultural, van/commercial, bus/coach and panoramic-roof vehicles. Distinguishing technical assets include the proprietary Partscheck registration-matching system (99.5% right-first-time accuracy), a UK-first online AI damage-assessment system launched in March 2022, and a cloud-based remote ADAS diagnostics capability delivered in partnership with Core Diagnostics. Distinguishing certifications are ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 27001 (information security), with a Science Based Targets commitment to a 42% Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduction by 2030.

The business model is a transaction-fee per job, monetised either through direct consumer payment or — predominantly — through direct-billing arrangements with 70 leading UK insurers, supplemented by multi-year fleet managed-service contracts with primary-supplier relationships at 30+ FN50 car fleets and three of five daily rental fleets. Distribution combines physical fitting centres, mobile dispatch, an online booking platform with 24/7 phone and live-chat support, a dedicated insurance broker portal, and outbound reach via the Automotive Glass Experts international alliance (22 countries, 2,000 locations). Recent strategy has emphasised brand consolidation: Cary Group has completed four UK acquisitions between February 2024 and April 2026 (J Huggins and Son, Spire Windscreens, Autoglazing/Masterglass, Rapid Windscreens), bringing roughly 95% of fitting and calibration centres under the National Windscreens brand.

Name

National Windscreens

Legal name

Cary UK Limited

Website

https://nationalwindscreens.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

National Windscreens (Cary UK Limited) is the UK's largest vehicle glass repair and replacement specialist, operating 100+ fitting centres and 600+ mobile technicians serving insurers, fleet operators and consumers with windscreen repair, replacement and ADAS calibration services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vehicle Glass Repair and Replacement Services

NAICS

Automotive Body, Paint, Interior, and Glass Repair (81112), Automotive Mechanical and Electrical Repair and Maintenance (81111)

akta.pro primary industry

Glass, Lighting & Visibility Systems Service (Windshields, Lamps, Mirrors) (TLAKABAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Electrical, Diagnostics & ADAS Calibration (TLAKAAAF)

Keywords

• Vehicle glass repair
• Windscreen replacement
• ADAS calibration services
• Automotive glazing specialists
• Insurance fleet glass

Headquarters

HQ city

Stafford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Windscreen Repair Services: On-site and fitting centre-based windscreen chip and crack repair services. Chip repairs are often offered free under insurance policies. Repairs preferred over replacement where possible.
2. Windscreen Replacement Services: Full windscreen and vehicle glass replacement including side windows, rear windows, panoramic roofs and sunroofs. Priced per job with costs varying by vehicle type and glass complexity.
3. ADAS Calibration Services: Calibration of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems following windscreen replacement. Includes static and dynamic calibration methods for cameras and sensors mounted on windscreens.
4. Insurance Direct Billing: Direct billing arrangements with 70 leading insurers where the company invoices insurers directly for covered repairs/replacements. Policyholders pay any applicable excess.
5. Fleet Support Services: Comprehensive fleet glass management including scheduled inspections, repairs, replacements, and management information reporting. EDI invoicing and service level agreements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

National Windscreens provides windscreen and vehicle glass repair, replacement, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) calibration services for individual motorists, commercial fleets, specialist vehicles, and insurance partners across the United Kingdom. Services are delivered through 100+ fitting centres and over 600 mobile technicians, supported by direct billing arrangements with 70 leading insurers and proprietary Partscheck technology for parts matching.

Product overview

National Windscreens operates as the UK's leading vehicle glass repair and replacement specialist, structured as a unified service network rather than a modular platform. The core portfolio centres on windscreen repair, windscreen replacement, and ADAS calibration as the primary service lines, complemented by side and rear window replacement, chip repair, and a comprehensive suite of specialist services for plant/agricultural vehicles, vans/commercial vehicles, buses/coaches, panoramic roofs/sunroofs, and panel van conversions. Supporting technology systems include the Partscheck registration-matching system for accurate glass identification, cloud-based remote ADAS diagnostics, and AI-powered damage assessment. The company offers value-added services including free windscreen inspection, fleet support with dedicated account management, and insurer partnership programmes with direct billing arrangements for 70+ UK insurers. The business model combines a 100+ fitting centre network with 600+ mobile technicians to deliver 24/7 coverage, positioning itself as both a direct-to-consumer service and a B2B partner for insurance companies, brokers, and fleet operators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Partscheck: Unique system that accurately matches windscreen to vehicle registration number for 99.5% right first time delivery.
• Automotive Glass Experts

Products and services

• Windscreen Repair Mobile and centre-based windscreen repair service that fixes stone chips and minor damage to restore windscreen integrity, prioritising repair over replacement to save costs and reduce environmental impact.
• Windscreen Replacement Full windscreen replacement service using manufacturer-quality glass, including calibration of windscreen-mounted ADAS cameras to ensure vehicle safety systems function correctly after replacement.
• ADAS Camera Calibration Advanced Driver Assistance Systems calibration service performed when windscreens are replaced, ensuring cameras and sensors attached to the windscreen are correctly aligned and functioning per manufacturer specifications using static and dynamic calibration methods.
• Side Window Replacement Replacement service for side windows on all vehicle types, using appropriate glass matched to vehicle specifications.
• Rear Window Replacement Replacement service for rear windscreens and rear windows on all vehicle types, with the same quality standards and warranty as front windscreen replacements.
• Windscreen Chip Repair Targeted repair service for small stone chips and cracks, often provided free through insurance policies, designed to prevent damage spreading and restore windscreen strength.
• Plant and Agricultural Windscreen Repair & Replacement Specialist glazing services for agricultural machinery, construction plant equipment, and off-highway vehicles requiring durable glass solutions for demanding environments.
• Van and Commercial Windscreen Repair & Replacement Specialist services for commercial vans and trucks, addressing the specific glass needs of business fleets and commercial vehicles.
• Panoramic Roof and Sunroof Repair & Replacement Specialist repair and replacement services for panoramic roofs, sunroofs, and glass panels on modern vehicles.
• Bus and Coach Windscreen Repair & Replacement Specialist glazing services for buses and coaches, handling the larger and often more complex glass configurations found in public transport and passenger vehicles.
• Panel Van Conversion Glazing Specialist glazing services for converted panel vans, addressing glass requirements for specialist commercial vehicle configurations.
• Fleet Support Services Comprehensive fleet vehicle glass management service including same/next day response, proactive fleet inspections, management information reporting, EDI invoicing, and dedicated account management for business fleets.
• Insurer Partnership Services Direct billing arrangements with 70 leading UK insurers, enabling policyholders to access National Windscreens services through insurance claims with seamless electronic billing and claims handling.
• Insurance Broker Services Dedicated services for insurance brokers including a broker portal for job management and tracking, direct billing with insurers, and dedicated account managers to support policyholder claims.
• Partscheck Registration-Matching System Proprietary registration-based parts matching system that accurately identifies the correct windscreen specification by matching the vehicle registration number, achieving 99.5% right-first-time accuracy and avoiding incorrect part selection for drivers.
• AI-Based Windscreen Damage Assessment UK-first online artificial intelligence system that instantly determines whether windscreen damage can be repaired by analysing uploaded images, integrated into the website customer experience.
• Quik-Quote Insurer Cost-Control System Advanced web-based system for insurers to control costs incurred when policyholders choose non-preferred windscreen suppliers, providing cost oversight for out-of-network claims.
• Remote ADAS Diagnostics Cloud-based remote diagnostic technology enabling real-time ADAS calibration without waiting for software data, removing delays for new vehicle model calibration requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11 miles/20 minutes average distance to service
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Automotive Glass Experts (AGE)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational Windscreens is the UK Partner of Automotive Glass Experts, a global alliance of national automotive glass replacement and repair companies. This partnership provides seamless European coverage for UK policyholders traveling abroad, with access to 22 countries, 2,000 locations, and 7,000 professionals.
• 70 Leading InsurerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFormal direct billing arrangements with 70 leading UK insurers, with sole supplier status maintained with many of these carriers. Services include delegated claims handling and policyholder referral management.
• Core DiagnosticsstrategicTechnology or IntegrationPartnership to strengthen remote diagnostic capabilities for ADAS calibration. Selected after thorough supplier assessment evaluating range of providers. Enables cloud-based ADAS diagnostics reducing wait time for calibration data.
• Workwear ExpressminorOthersPartnership with UK leading workwear provider delivering operational efficiencies and environmental benefits in supply chain operations.
• MS Maintenance Solutions LtdminorOthersExpertise utilized to enhance customer experience and maintain technology/sustainability leadership in the industry.
• Venson Automotive SolutionsstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFleet management partner. Venson attributes 98% client retention rate to National Windscreens' outstanding 'time to serve'. Ongoing collaboration including training sessions and repair days.
• Fleet Service GBstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollaboration at supplier open days providing fleet managers insights into modern vehicle glass repair and ADAS impact.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Autoglass (UK): Autoglass is the UK's other major vehicle glass repair, replacement, and ADAS calibration specialist and the most direct head-to-head competitor to National Windscreens across consumer, insurer, and fleet channels. Both operate national branch networks with mobile fitting services and direct insurer billing.
• Auto Windscreens: Auto Windscreens is a UK national vehicle glass repair and replacement provider serving insurers, fleets, and consumers via branch and mobile technician coverage. Directly comparable to National Windscreens on service mix, target customers, and ADAS-enabled calibration offerings.
• Carglass (Europe): Carglass is Belron's continental European vehicle glass brand, operating across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and others with branch and mobile fitting models. Comparable to National Windscreens on core service offering, insurer billing model, and ADAS calibration scope, though primarily serving non-UK markets.
• Novus Glass: Novus Glass is a North American vehicle glass repair and replacement franchise network offering mobile and in-store service with ADAS calibration. Comparable to National Windscreens on windscreen repair/replacement, franchise-style branch network, and insurer relationships.

Broad incumbents

• Belron Group: Belron is the global market leader in vehicle glass repair and replacement and the parent of Autoglass, Carglass, Safelite, and other national brands. Comparable to National Windscreens as the dominant scaled vehicle glass services operator, but with vastly broader geographic footprint and group-level procurement scale.
• Safelite Solutions: Safelite is the largest US vehicle glass repair and replacement provider and a Belron subsidiary, with a national mobile fleet, insurer partnerships, and ADAS calibration capability. Comparable to National Windscreens on service portfolio and GTM, though operating at much larger scale and in a different geography.

Regional players

• Dr. Windo (France): Dr. Windo is a French vehicle glass repair and replacement specialist operating a mobile technician model similar to National Windscreens. Comparable on service offering and mobile-first GTM, but focused exclusively on the French market and not directly competing in the UK.

Others

• RAC (vehicle glass operations): The RAC is a UK roadside assistance and vehicle services provider that also handles windscreen repair and replacement referrals and partnerships. Comparable to National Windscreens on consumer-facing glass services but operates from a broader motoring-services platform rather than as a glass specialist.
• AA (vehicle glass operations): The AA is a major UK breakdown, insurance, and motoring services group offering windscreen repair through its own and partner networks. Comparable to National Windscreens on UK consumer and insurer channels but is a broader automotive services incumbent rather than a dedicated glass specialist.
• Fix Auto UK: Fix Auto is an international network of bodyshop repair centres including UK franchises that handle collision glass replacement. Adjacent and partially comparable to National Windscreens on insurance-channel glass work, though the core offering is broader collision repair rather than dedicated windscreen service.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NatWindscreens
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCRvhOoXyoAbw-ilBRtX3o_w
• Facebookfacebook.com/natwindscreens
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-windscreens
• Instagraminstagram.com/nationalwindscreens_official

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Windscreens