Our evolution

Our Mission Statement

To provide our customers with the best solutions in terms of motor vehicle prevention and protection, utilizing innovative concepts and offering high quality products and services for customer comfort and security.

1977

27 independent auto glass workshops decided to become a group and to standardize their activities and procedures by offering consumers and insurance companies a valued alternative offering in the field of automotive glass. Groupe VitroPlus Inc. was founded and its business policies established immediate credibility among consumers and insurance companies.
1985

The company innovated by changing its business model from affiliated members to a franchising structure whereby existing and future members became 50% shareholders of the franchisor with the distributor. The turnaround in the VitroPlus business model became a strategic leverage for the company and tremendously increased sales figure. Along with new goods, the growth of the company soared.

The overall franchisee skills and competence was influential in the evolution of the offering in the field of electronics with the addition of products like audio systems, remote starters, alarm and tracking systems. Furthermore, VitroPlus established itself as a leader among insurance companies with its patented personalised antitheft SPAV tracking system and, at this point, insurance companies rely exclusively on VitroPlus protection systems to counter the soaring car theft phenomenon.

Meanwhile, world market globalization was about to hit the auto glass industry in Quebec.
1995

Groupe VitroPlus Inc., as a franchisor, was bought by PPG Industries, the world's largest glass manufacturer in North America. In the following years, PPG and VitroPlus would join their operations and their distribution centers in Quebec. This new position would secure VitroPlus customers with the best quality auto glass in the industry.
2000

The new millennium was a corner stone in the evolution of VitroPlus network with new management taking firm commitments with business partners and launching a new company philosophy.

That philosophy would spark the company's new mission that was redefined as follow:
To provide our customers with the best solutions in terms of motor vehicle prevention and protection, utilizing innovative concepts and offering high quality products and services for customer comfort and security.

To better support its mission, Groupe VitroPlus moved forward with an innovative marketing strategy within the range of its products, providing its customers with unsurpassed communication practices and, finally, developing efficient work methods and new technologies.

The new millennium was a corner stone in the evolution of VitroPlus network with new management taking firm commitments with business partners and launching a new company philosophy.

That philosophy would spark the company's new mission that was redefined as follow:
To provide our customers with the best solutions in terms of motor vehicle prevention and protection, utilizing innovative concepts and offering high quality products and services for customer comfort and security.

To better support its mission, Groupe VitroPlus moved forward with an innovative marketing strategy within the range of its products, providing its customers with unsurpassed communication practices and, finally, developing efficient work methods and new technologies.
2001

2001 sees the introduction of the first franchise sharing in the automotive segment in Quebec with VitroPlus joining forces with Ziebart, the world rust proofing, protection and detailing leader. Then VitroPlus and Ziebart developed on-going training programs for the network work force and improved customer service in order to cope with the ever changing consumer needs.
2003

VitroPlus joins AIR MILES®, the largest and most popular loyalty program in Canada, looking to enhance the value of its products and services and cater the needs of its growing customer base.
2004

PH Vitres d’autos Inc., the largest auto glass wholesaler in Eastern Canada and Marc Desmarais, president and chief executive officer of Groupe VitroPlus Inc. since 2000, become owners of Groupe VitroPlus Inc.

This new synergy will create Uniban Canada inc., a company that has developed a vertical business model enabling us to operate in all our industry sectors, allowing for better control of all aspects and processes. With his unique business model, Uniban Canada is at the same time a distributor, a retailer, and an installer, in addition to offering technological solutions that enable insurance companies and other companies to increase their effectiveness and their productivity in managing their files.

Today, our customers can take advantage of one of the largest stock inventory in Canada, the largest dealer network and more than 250 mobile units serving the country.

VitroPlus/Ziebart also launched its new decor concept, designed to create a more attractive ambience that appeals to consumers.
PH Vitres d’autos Inc., the largest auto glass wholesaler in Eastern Canada and Marc Desmarais, president and chief executive officer of Groupe VitroPlus Inc. since 2000, become owners of Groupe VitroPlus Inc.

This new synergy will create Uniban Canada inc., a company that has developed a vertical business model enabling us to operate in all our industry sectors, allowing for better control of all aspects and processes. With his unique business model, Uniban Canada is at the same time a distributor, a retailer, and an installer, in addition to offering technological solutions that enable insurance companies and other companies to increase their effectiveness and their productivity in managing their files.

Today, our customers can take advantage of one of the largest stock inventory in Canada, the largest dealer network and more than 250 mobile units serving the country.

VitroPlus/Ziebart also launched its new decor concept, designed to create a more attractive ambience that appeals to consumers.
2005

Groupe VitroPlus wins an Award (Maillon d’or) for “Franchisor, Communication/Marketing, large network” during the Conseil québécois de la franchise annual gala.
2007

In August 2007, Uniban Canada announced the acquisition of Ziebart Canada’s master franchise and the rights to the 28 existing Ziebart franchisees outside Québec. This transaction completes the purchase of Ziebart’s master franchise and its franchises in the province of Québec, made in 2001, whose goal was to diversify the VitroPlus network. This transaction resulted in the creation of VitroPlus/Ziebart. As for the network outside Québec, it will bear the name of UniglassPlus/Ziebart from now on and will offer the same services as VitroPlus/Ziebart.
2008

Groupe VitroPlus wins an Award (Maillon d’or) for “Franchisor of the Year, large network” during the Conseil québécois de la franchise annual gala.
2009

In April 2009, VitroPlus/Ziebart and UniglassPlus/Ziebart were the first and only national auto glass network to recycle windshield.

For a second time, Groupe VitroPlus wins an Award (Maillon d’or) for “Franchisor, Communication/Marketing, large network” during the Conseil québécois de la franchise annual gala.
In April 2009, VitroPlus/Ziebart and UniglassPlus/Ziebart were the first and only national auto glass network to recycle windshield.

For a second time, Groupe VitroPlus wins an Award (Maillon d’or) for “Franchisor, Communication/Marketing, large network” during the Conseil québécois de la franchise annual gala.
2010

Since February 2010, customers are now able to redeem their AIR MILES® reward miles to pay for their services.

VitroPlus/Ziebart network, strong with a 30-year experience, a new corporate synergy and plenty of determination, has all the required ingredients to anticipate continuity and growth through strategic development in order to perpetuate its heritage of high quality products and service offerings.
Since February 2010, customers are now able to redeem their AIR MILES® reward miles to pay for their services.

VitroPlus/Ziebart network, strong with a 30-year experience, a new corporate synergy and plenty of determination, has all the required ingredients to anticipate continuity and growth through strategic development in order to perpetuate its heritage of high quality products and service offerings.

Company Profile