Guardian Industries has announced the formation of a new joint venture company with LRST, LLC to manage and grow its retail auto glass business. The new JV will be named Guardian Auto Glass, LLC.
LRS…
Guardian Industries has announced the formation of a new joint venture company with LRST, LLC to manage and grow its retail auto glass business. The new JV will be named Guardian Auto Glass, LLC. LRST, LLC is an entity formed by equal partners Jim Latch, Jerry Ray, Neil Smith and Marc Talbert, all with extensive automotive aftermarket experience. Guardian will have the majority ownership in the new Guardian Auto joint venture company. With the formation of Guardian Auto, this new retail joint venture will be managed and operated by the LRST partners. Latch and Talbert have held executive positions at PPG and/or PGW and bring extensive ARG management and operational experience to the new company. Latch led the creation of LYNX Services and had responsibility for PPG“s ARG distribution and services business. Talbert was president of PPG Auto Glass and had responsibility for PGW“s ARG distribution business. Ray and Smith were two of the founders and owners of the 34-store GlasPro/Elite retail business that was purchased by Belron in 2005. They previously partnered in the formation of Western Windshields, a West Coast auto glass distribution business. Latch will be president and managing partner of the new company with Ray, Smith and Talbert all holding titles of vice president and managing partner. Guardian Automotive is a subsidiary of Guardian Industries, a diversified global manufacturing company headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, with leading positions in float glass, fabricated glass products, fiberglass insulation and other building materials for commercial, residential and automotive markets.