Safelite declines to comment on talks to buy Giant Glass

By Todd Wallack, Globe Staff

Safelite Group, the country’s largest provider of vehicle glass repair services, declined to comment Monday on possible negotiations to buy a prominent competitor in Massachusetts, Giant Glass Co..

“Nothing has been finalized at time,” said Melina Metzger, the public relations manager for Safelite Group in Columbus, Ohio, adding that it was premature to make any announcements or provide other details.

Giant Glass, based in North Andover, did not return a call Monday seeking comment.

Safelite employs more than 10,000 people across the country and operates Safelite AutoGlass, one of the nation’s biggest providers of windshield and window glass repair services. It served more than 4.4 million customers last year.

The firm is a unit of Belron, a British vehicle glass company, which in turn is controlled by the D’Ieteren group in Belgium.

Giant Glass, founded in 1978, has five locations in Peabody, Worcester, Lawrence, Weymouth and North Andover, plus a fleet of 30 vehicles that provide mobile glass replacement.

The company’s president, Dennis Drinkwater, has become a staple at Red Sox games over the years with a seat behind home plate. The company has also been a Red Sox sponsor and is a frequent advertiser on local radio.