// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Safelite say to the rock? You're a pane in my life.
 | |
| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive, Insurance |
| Founded | 1947 in Wichita, Kansas, United States |
| Founders |
|
| Headquarters | , United States |
Number of locations | 832[1] |
Area served | North America |
| Key people | Renee Cacchillo (President & CEO) |
Number of employees | ~16,000 |
| Parent | Belron |
| Website | www |
Safelite Group, Inc. is an American vehicle glass repair, replacement and recalibration company and a subsidiary of Belron. The company employs approximately 16,000 associates and operates in all 50 states of the United States under the Safelite brand.[2]
Company history
[edit]Bud Glassman and Art Lankin started Safelite in a junkyard in Wichita, Kansas in 1947.[3]
The company declared bankruptcy in 1997, after which it became owned by its largest creditor, J.P. Morgan & Co.[4] In 2000, Safelite filed for bankruptcy for a second time after facing financial difficulties, including $591 million in debt.[5]
In 2007, Safelite was acquired by U.K.-based Belron, the world’s largest vehicle glass company. Belron operates in 42 countries and is owned by the D'Ieteren group.
Thomas Feeney became the president and CEO in 2008.[6][7] In late 2021, Renee Cachillo became the president and CEO as Thomas Feeney moved into a leadership role for Belron North America.[8][9]
Following its acquisition of City Auto Glass in July 2024[10], Safelite continued several community engagement initiatives previously led by the regional provider. Local events such as fishing tournaments, which historically supported charitable causes, are now organized by Safelite’s teams to maintain continuity in regional outreach efforts.[11]
In May 2025, Safelite partnered with TRICON Garage and NASCAR driver Corey Heim to support Foster Love, a nonprofit focused on improving the foster care experience for children in the United States. The collaboration coincided with National Foster Care Awareness Month and featured Foster Love branding on Heim’s No. 11 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro across four NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races. Heim’s vehicle was redesigned in blue—the official color of Foster Care Awareness Month—to honor foster families, volunteers, and child welfare professionals. The campaign also celebrated Foster Love’s milestone of serving its one-millionth child in foster care. Safelite Foundation President and CEO Renee Cacchillo highlighted the company’s commitment to the cause, noting that associates had embraced the partnership and shared personal connections to the foster care system.[12]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Safelite Shop Near You | Our Auto Glass Locations | Safelite". www.safelite.com.
- ↑ "Our Brands | Belron ®". www.belron.com. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
- ↑ "About Safelite | Safelite Reviews | Safelite AutoGlass". www.safelite.com. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
- ↑ Database (undated). "Safelite Glass Corporation" Archived September 23, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. BankruptcyData.com. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
- ↑ "Safelite Glass files for bankruptcy after listing $591 million in debts". Deseret News. June 10, 2000. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ↑ wires, RP news; Corporation, Noria. "Largest auto glass companies to merge operations". www.reliableplant.com. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Safelite AutoGlass Leaders | Safelite AutoGlass". www.safelite.com. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
- ↑ "Safelite names Renee Cacchillo CEO - Bizwomen". Puget Sound Business Journal. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
- ↑ Williams, Mark. "Cacchillo succeeds Feeney as CEO of auto glass company Safelite Group". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Safelite Acquires City Auto Glass". glassBYTEs.com. July 22, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Adding up the walleyes for local causes". The Timberjay.
- ↑ "TRICON and Corey Heim Team Up with the Safelite Foundation to Support the Foster Care Community". TRICON Garage.
External links
[edit]- American companies established in 1947
- Financial services companies established in 1947
- Automotive companies established in 1947
- Retail companies established in 1947
- American subsidiaries of foreign companies
- Auto parts suppliers of the United States
- Automotive repair shops of the United States
- Car windows
- Companies based in the Columbus metropolitan area, Ohio
- Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1997
- Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2000
- Manufacturing companies based in Ohio
- Mobile businesses
- Privately held companies based in Ohio
- 1947 establishments in Ohio