San Antonio Dealership paves the way in a new concept in Hail protection for Auto Dealerships by TricoShade

SAN ANTONIO--With the rising incidence of hail activity causing increased hail damage, there is a proportionate rise in insurance premiums resulting in more challenges for Auto Dealerships to mitigate risk on open exposed car lots.

The Gunn Auto Group in San Antonio, Texas, has found one way to act upon this threat by using Hailports, manufactured by TricoUSA, and specifically designed to protect vehicles from hail damage. The extensive installation of 6 dealerships and 2 inventory lots, total a number of 1,600 car spaces, resulting in 260,000 square feet of inventory protected. The structures are proving to give added advantages through the hot summer, in that they provide shade to customers from the hot Texas sun.

What exactly are these multi-use structures and can they really protect property underneath the hail net? Interestingly, the original invention of shade structures, in their birth place of South Africa was to primarily protect vehicles from hail damage, the product then saw an evolution to shade protection. Shade structures have since extended their use to a multitude of applications as can be seen dotting the landscape of several cities here in the United States. Shade structures are made from high density uv protected polyethylene, the extraordinary strength is derived from the construction of the filaments which have uv additives applied in the extrusion process. The netting is then sewn with uv protected thread and tops are stretched taut over steel frames. Over the years, Shade structures continue to demonstrate that industrial fabrics prove their viability and are beginning to take their place as a permanent building material option.

Wes Burke, President of Gunn Auto Group said, "We have been pleased with our dealings with Trico."

According to statistics from State Farm Insurance and the National Weather Service, the United States experiences approximately 3,000 hailstorms a year. Although hail damage can happen anywhere in the United States, the four states mostly affected are Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska, which account for 42% of the national average of all hail storms per year. Another interesting fact is that among State Farm's 25 highest claim payouts in history, eight involved significant damage caused by hail.

The Gunn Auto Group, has been identified by Automotive News as one of the largest 100 automobile dealer groups in the United States, they currently operate seven dealerships and three collision centers.

TricoUSA Inc., manufactures Hailports and TricoShade structures, is one of the leading shade structure manufacturers in the United States. Trico is one of the three manufacturing pioneers of shade structures in the country, that pioneered the concept of shade and hail protection structures. Trico continues to develop innovative engineering to bring advanced techniques to the traditional concept of shelter and protection from the elements.

For more information, please contact Don Messick on (210) 849-3137.