Australia’s largest independent automotive windscreen company, National Windscreens, has today announced a major investment and new management as it readies for future growth.
Boutique private equity firm, Nash Capital has acquired a majority stake in the Melbourne based company with previous owner, Eric Heine remaining on the Board of Directors and a shareholder. The acquisition will see highly credentialled industry figure, Campbell Jones join National Windscreens as Group CEO with immediate effect whilst all key management have been retained.
“This is truly an exciting time for National Windscreens, our customers and staff. The result of Nash Capital becoming a majority shareholder will be a significant investment in our people, facilities, equipment and the expansion of our network through company owned branches,” said in-coming Group CEO, Jones.
“The auto glass sector represents one of the best growth opportunities in the automotive industry with specialised technology like ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) at the forefront of the potential. We are planning on elevating National Windscreen’s capability in not only this area but in our overall service offering and branch footprint,” Jones added.
Current CEO, Brad Jansons will move into the key role of Executive General Manager – Auto Glass, with Jones adding further – “Brad has been instrumental in our success over the past 6 years and will focus on improving our auto glass business throughout Australia with the Nash [Capital] investment, he is armed to provide our teams with improved tools, training and a number of strategies to grow our business.”
Another key appointment is that of Rob Mildenhall. The highly experienced Mildenhall is promoted to the role of Executive General Manager – ADAS Services. “Rob’s focus is to deliver a national comprehensive ADAS business not only for glass repair but all auto repair related ADAS services. This is an enormous opportunity in its own right,” Jones concluded.
The senior management structure will see Jansons, Mildenhall and newly appointed CFO, Nicholas Zarafonitis report to the Group CEO as will General Manager, Aida Mann.
Managing Director of Nash Capital and in-coming Chairman of National Windscreens, Sean O’Neill said– “We are genuinely excited to now be part of National Windscreens and the prospect of growing a large national business focussed on the auto glass and ADAS sector. We are equally thrilled to be partnering with Eric Heine and the Heine family. We’re looking forward to the future but we also want to respect the great business Eric has built over the past 35 plus years.”
Melbourne based Nash Capital has an enviable track record in partnering with founders and management to achieve highly successful outcomes and according to O’Neill, National Windscreens represents an excellent growth opportunity –
“We believe that National Windscreens can grow dramatically over the three to five years and Nash [Capital] is prepared to invest heavily into the business to achieve that growth. We will work with the Board and management team to provide the support our people need and deserve to make National Windscreens the number one brand in auto glass and ADAS services.”
The National Windscreens Board of Directors will consist of Chairman, Sean O’Neill and fellow Nash Capital Managing Director, Lucas Couper along with founder, Eric Heine.
National Windscreens was formed in 1984 by Eric Heine. For the past 35 years Heine has overseen the expansion of the business from a single location in Melbourne’s northwestern suburbs to over 150 locations across the country today. Whilst Heine will step down from day-to-day duties, he will remain a shareholder and valuable member of the National Windscreens Board.
“I’m very excited to start this partnership with Nash Capital. We will create opportunities for our staff and customers as we expand our footprint across Australia as we acquire and open new branches. It’s an amazing business and I have loved being involved in it pretty much for my entire working life. I have thoroughly enjoyed the working alongside our staff, our customers and our many partners across Australia. I have full faith in Campbell [Jones] and the existing team to take National Windscreens to a new level,” said Heine.
Further information on National Windscreens can be found at nationalwindscreens.com.au and for Nash Capital at nashcapital.com.au.
