What does excellence mean in practice within the insurance and automotive industries? Excellence is rarely about one individual act. Instead, it is the cumulative effect of countless small actions, decisions, and commitments across the supply chain. When every link in that chain is focused on quality, consistency, and improvement, the result is something greater than the sum of its parts.  

One of the best demonstrations of this principle can be found in the Best of Belron competition. The event, for vehicle glass repair, replacement and recalibration (VGRRR) technicians, helps maintain and elevate a globally recognised standard of excellence that shapes behaviours, expectations, and outcomes. 

The importance of excellence  

Excellence and performing a job to the highest possible standard every time is not just marketing speak – when it comes to a windscreen repair it has a direct impact on the passenger’s safety on the road. It is essential that Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) are recalibrated to the highest possible standard after every single windscreen replacement. Even the smallest error in the recalibration process can have a significant impact on the vehicle’s level of risk on the road, and so it is paramount that ADAS recalibration is completed by trained technicians with the correct technology.  

In 2024 many ADAS systems like Auto Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, and Intelligent Speed Assistant became mandatory on every new vehicle within the European market, and by 2030, 53% of the total UK car fleet will have a camera behind the windscreen.  

Trusted expertise becomes even more important given the lack of understanding amongst drivers. Our recent research found that nearly three-quarters (71%) of drivers were unaware that ADAS cameras are often located in the front windscreen, demonstrating a widespread misunderstanding of where these crucial cameras are positioned. It is therefore critical that the windscreen partner has the knowledge and expertise required to recalibrate correctly and keep the vehicle and passengers safe on the road.  

The Belron Way of Fitting 

The Belron Way of Fitting is a 30-step process used by all Belron technicians in their day-to-day roles, and aims to ensure consistent quality and service wherever you are in the world. The process was recently refreshed to enhance replacement and recalibration quality, improve technician safety, and advance customer satisfaction and technician experience across the globe. 

Our technicians are regularly reviewed and tested against the Belron Way of Fitting to ensure quality and consistency. However, we also wanted to find a way of emphasising the Belron Way of Fitting in an engaging way – which is why the Best of Belron competition was born.  

A global benchmark for skill 

Every two years, technicians from across the Belron group compete to be crowned the best in the world, and 2026 will mark the 13th Best of Belron. Before they reach the global stage, however, they must first prove themselves in their own country. Here in the UK, technicians at Autoglass voluntarily enter and, working alongside their day job, dedicate months of preparation and training for the chance to qualify. The winner earns the honour of representing the UK at the Best of Belron global competition, where they are measured against their peers from Belron countries across the world. 

Every step of the repair, replacement and recalibration process is assessed – not just the technical skill, but the safety, customer interaction, and attention to detail. 

The standards demonstrated at the competition set a benchmark for what excellence looks like in practice, influencing training programmes, operational processes, and customer service expectations across the business. 

Why it matters to you 

For those in the insurance market, the competition may seem like an internal initiative for a supplier. However, the implications reach far beyond this.  

Every insurer makes a promise to their policyholders: To be there when things go wrong, to provide reassurance, and to resolve problems swiftly and effectively. These promises rely on the supply chain delivering on your behalf. If your partners are pushing themselves to be the best in the world, that pursuit of excellence becomes part of the experience your customers receive. Importantly, it also means that insurers can be confident in safe and accurate recalibrations and consistent service every day.  

Purpose as a driver of excellence 

Technicians are not simply aiming to win a trophy; they are striving to demonstrate their pride in their craft, their commitment to safety, and their determination to represent their country on the global stage. That sense of purpose is what drives them to keep refining their skills long after others might have stopped. 

For insurers, this is a critical insight, as purpose is the fuel that drives consistent performance from a partner. When suppliers connect their people to a bigger mission, the results are felt at every touchpoint, from efficiency and safety to customer satisfaction. 

The role of competition 

Competition can also play a role in driving excellence. Healthy competition is a catalyst for improvement and encourages individuals and teams to stretch themselves, to move beyond what feels comfortable, and to find new ways of doing things better. 

For insurers, aligning with partners who embrace competition in this way offers reassurance, as it means you are working with organisations that do not settle. They are constantly seeking ways to deliver more value, more consistency, and more trust. 

The foundations for the competition are laid in the small, daily actions that accumulate over time. Each technician who takes part has spent years honing their craft, often making tiny adjustments that on their own may seem insignificant, but together these small achievements add up to something extraordinary. 

Whether you are an insurer, a supplier, or a customer service team, greatness is built step by step. Every incremental improvement contributes to a more reliable, resilient, and customer-focused supply chain. 

A shared responsibility 

Ultimately, the lessons of the competition are not confined to vehicle glass. They are relevant to the entire insurance and automotive ecosystem. Excellence is not something suppliers can pursue in isolation – it requires collaboration, shared standards, and mutual accountability. 

When suppliers aim for excellence, insurers benefit. When insurers set high expectations, suppliers rise to meet them. And when both celebrate success and nurture purpose, the entire industry becomes stronger. 

The Best of Belron is more than a competition. It is a living demonstration of what excellence looks like when skill, purpose, and recognition come together. It shows that small achievements accumulate into world-class performance, that healthy competition drives improvement, and that celebrating success is essential to sustaining progress. 

For insurers, the message is clear: excellence within your supply chain is not optional – it is fundamental. By partnering with organisations that strive to be the best in the world, you ensure that excellence flows through to your customers, building trust and reinforcing your own reputation.