RAC has strengthened its commitment to providing a complete 'cradle to grave' range of services to private and company motorists with the agreed acquisition of Auto Windscreens.

RAC's parent company Lex Service PLC has agreed to acquire Chesterfield-based Auto Windscreens for £112m in cash.

With 161 specialist fitting centres nationwide and a fleet of almost 800 fully equipped mobile units, Auto Windscreens is currently the second largest automotive glass repair and replacement company in the UK.

The new company will operate as RAC Auto Windscreens with immediate effect and extends RAC fleet to over 2,100 vehicles. Last year the company fitted 32% of all replacement windscreens (443,000) in the UK.

RAC Auto Windscreens also has relationships with most of the major insurance companies and is recommended by Royal & Sun Alliance, Admiral and Direct Line.

The acquisition will enable RAC to extend its range of motoring services to include windscreen and body glass replacement, windscreen repair and wiper blade replacement.

Commenting on the acquisition RAC Group Managing Director Graeme Potts said: “Auto Windscreens is a perfect fit with RAC, with both our businesses using highly skilled mobile technicians to provide essential round-the-clock services to private and business motorists.

“Auto Windscreens is a well-run business with a strong management team. Bringing these two highly recognised brands together will allow us to increase the range of motoring solutions we can offer to all our customers.

Lex Service PLC Chief Executive Andy Harrison commented: “Today's announcement represents another important milestone in Lex's transformation to become the leading provider of motoring and business solutions through our two strong brands of RAC and Lex.”

RAC Auto Windscreens managing director Mark Usher,said: “We are delighted to be joining Lex and in particular RAC. Together we have an exciting opportunity to accelerate our growth and to further develop our business.”