AUTOGLASS executives this week launched a review of the business which could result in staff redundancies in response to a ‘challenging year’ when it lost business to a competitor.

The review has come in response to a decline in business caused by the takeover of Autoglass’s rival firm RAC Auto Windscreens by Norwich Union parent company Aviva last year.

In a statement, Autoglass said: ‘2005 was a challenging year for Autoglass, after Norwich Union’s decision to refer the majority of its repair and replacement jobs to its in-house glass services supplier.

‘In order to maintain our market-leading position, we have consequently taken a careful look at our internal structure to ensure that resource levels are aligned to meet our future business requirements.

‘As a result of this company-wide review, we have decided to make a number of changes both within our head office and our branches and a consultation process has commenced with the people who may be affected. We very much hope to redeploy as many people as we can to alternative positions.

‘We will provide more information once this consultation process is completed.’

A spokesman for Norwich Union said part of the reason it purchased the RAC last year was to benefit from the diverse companies it owned.

He added: ‘It makes perfect business sense for us to use our own companies for services. That’s why we bought it in the first place.’