According to a report in The Sun newspaper last week, Autoglass is to axe 400 staff after a large drop in demand. This follows the announcement earlier this year that Auto Windscreens had been forced into administration.

But National Windscreens has reported that it's picking up business and says it's now the second largest windscreens repair and replacement company in the UK. In response, the firm has announced that it has created 200 new jobs across its UK windscreen repair and replacement network during the last six months and says it's set to continue its growth trend for the foreseeable future.

National Windscreens says it's increased the number of windscreen replacements that it has undertaken in the last six months by 74% compared to the same period last year. In response to this demand the company is continuing to expand its branch network and is moving its head office in Tamworth to new premises, doubling the capacity of its national call centre.

Commercial director Peter Marsden said: 'We have rapidly grown our share of what we regard as a very buoyant market. Our independent ownership has given us the stability necessary to invest in developing our staff and branch network for the long term. It is a strategy that is now paying dividends!'

In addition, National Mobile Windscreens has posted a 20% increase in revenue and a staggering 24% increase in staff.

Phil Lomas, managing director, said that there are a number of reasons for National Mobile Windscreens' expansion: 'We have continued to focus on our core business and listened to our customers' requirements.

'In addition we have invested heavily in development of our IT systems to ensure that our customer delivery closely matches the needs of both the insurance and fleet markets.

'Finally, the flexible management information that we provide is welcomed by our growing customer base and they tell us that we are ticking all of the boxes.'