Vendor Affinity Program Spotlight: Tiny & Sons Auto Glass

by Alana Quartuccio

It’s pretty clear why Tiny & Sons Auto Glass shines as a trusted provider for high-quality glass service in the South Shore area. The family-owned-and-operated business is committed to not only making proper repairs, but also being involved in the communities they serve.

“My dad started in the auto glass business in 1959,” shares Peter Brown, who co-owns the operation with his brother Edward. “He worked for Settles Glass and Acme. In 1978, he decided to start his own business. My brother and I are the second generation.”

The business is named for its founding father, James “Tiny” Brown. As Peter puts it, “They called him ‘Tiny’ because he played football and was six feet, six inches tall and 350 pounds, so that was his nickname. He was known for his height and his size 15 triple wide boot.” 

Peter and Edward got an early start jumping on board in their role as “the Sons” in their dad’s business. 

“We were really young when we started working with our dad, like eight, nine or 10 years old,” Peter recalls. “On weekends or during the summer, it was our job to cut windshields out of back windows to create an inventory for our father’s side business selling used windshields to salvage yards.” 

Tiny & Sons Auto Glass is devoted to auto glass replacement and repair. They serve collision repair shops, dealerships, fleets and municipalities. If they replace a windshield on an ADAS-equipped vehicle, they will perform the necessary recalibrations. The company is certified through the Ford Glass Network to replace windshields and perform recalibrations. Peter says the shop is proudly registered and accredited with the Auto Glass Safety Council for the past 20 years, and “all of our technicians are certified through the Auto Glass Safety Council.” 

Peter and Edward officially took over the business in 2008, although their father continued working with them until he passed away a few years later. The brothers share the business 50/50; Peter handles the business end with consumers, sales aspects and community involvement, while Edward plays the technical role of training and overseeing operations, making sure everything is running smoothly. 

“Tiny’s” sons continue to carry out his philosophy – it’s what has kept them successful for close to 50 years. 

“My father’s philosophy was ‘get involved’ – learn, grow, always study. He also believed in being part of the community. We’ve always been a community-based business. My father was involved with the Elks Club, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Plymouth and Marshfield, the Cub Scouts, the Boy Scouts. We’d sponsor local sports teams. He was a call firefighter and a grand exalted ruler for the Elks Club. He’d dress as Smokey the Bear for all the firemen’s musters in Plymouth County. That’s how we were brought up – if you want people to do business with you, you have to get involved with them and be a part of their community.” 

He also believed it was important to “always try to do it right. If you mess up, fix it and move on to the next thing,” says Peter of their father’s beliefs. 

That philosophy extends to the support they give AASP/MA. Tiny & Sons Auto Glass has been an active supporter of the Alliance’s events for years, sponsoring its annual golf outing and other events. Most recently, the auto glass business came on board as a Silver-level sponsor in its Vendor Affinity Program.

The Browns gain so much from their affiliation with AASP/MA; at the top of that list is knowledge.

“The auto glass industry and the collision industry are intertwined in so many ways,” states Brown. “Glass is a structural part of the car. So when a collision happens, a lot of the time, the glass needs to be taken out in order for them to do the body work. On the advocacy side, we deal with many of the same issues – Right to Repair, steering and referral programs, similar to what the collision industry goes through. We want to be supportive as these issues align with what the auto glass side deals with every day as well.”

Tiny & Sons Auto Glass’ commitment to community involvement is another reason they work with and support AASP/MA. 

“A lot of the body shops and dealerships are embedded in their communities. We want to make sure we’re involved with them too, so we try to be as supportive as possible, and we will advocate when needed.” 

The family operation extends beyond the Browns. Peter is proud of their diverse team. “We have a female technician who has been with us for about three years now. We also have second-generation employees as their sons and daughters are working for us now. We really are a family-run and family-oriented business.” 

Want more? Check out the November 2024 issue of New England Automotive Report!