2022 is only three days away, prompting reflection on a year in its final lap. WindowFilmMag.com’s greatest hits from 2021 reverberate with variety. Legislative developments, female empowerment, company transactions and philanthropy comprise the industry’s hottest topics.

Top Five Stories of 2021

1. New Window Tint Legislation for this Year’s Session—Published on 1/27/21

This year’s most-read story involves proposed legislation pertinent to film shops in Hawaii, Illinois, New York, North Dakota, South Carolina and Virginia. Legislative developments continued into spring (see story 3).

Luanna Souzza of Tint Pro in Sunrise, Fla., is part of the Women of Automotive Film calendar.

2. Female Film Stars Find Voice for 2022—Published on 12/8/21

The second most-read story of 2021 sees the women of the film industry create a calendar titled the Women of Automotive Film. Ten women comprise the calendar’s pages, which emphasize the impact of females in a predominantly male space.

3. Legislative Roundup: New Hampshire Debates Side Window Tinting—Published on 4/28/21

This article focuses on legislative updates in New Hampshire and Louisiana. The New Hampshire legislature debated a proposal allowing aftermarket tinting of motor vehicle side windows. Louisiana legislation sought to prohibit “franchisors” (manufacturers) from failing to compensate dealers adequately and fairly for labor, parts, etc., related to warranty work.

4. Owners of T&T Tinting Specialists Turning Company Over to Employees—Published on 10/12/21

T&T Tinting Specialists announced a shakeup in October.

Hawaii’s T&T Tinting Specialists Inc. grabbed fall headlines when it completed a transaction to become 100% employee-owned through its newly-created Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Heading into its 40th year, T&T Tinting’s CEO Tommy Silva transitioned 100% of the company’s total ownership to all company employees through a qualified retirement plan known as an ESOP. Silva implemented this plan because he felt it was the most sustainable path forward for the employees of T&T while protecting the legacy he has built with them.

5. Window Film Community Rallies Behind One of Their Own—Published on 3/17/21

Donnie Dixon received community support in 2021.

Film stars take care of their own, and 2021 was no exception. When tinter Donnie Dixon was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and experienced difficulty with medical expenses, the film industry teamed up for a cause.

Philanthropic efforts were bright spots in 2021. Middle Georgia film shops combined forces at Tint Pro in Warner Robins, Ga., to ensure a young girl’s cancer battle continues. The event generated $9,500 in tinting sales. Two months later, Brandon ‘Hoss’ Evans of Xtreme Shades in Smithfield, N.C., teamed up with fellow tinters for a toy drive.

Eastman’s acquisition generated interest in the latter half of 2021.

Two company acquisition stories landed in this year’s 10 most-read stories. Eastman agreed to acquire the business and assets of Matrix Films, LLC and its UK affiliate, PremiumShield Limited, marketer of PremiumShield performance films, including its extended line of automotive film patterns. The transaction was completed on October 1, 2021.

XPEL announced its acquisition of five businesses in the United States and Canada. The acquisitions, which closed on October 1, 2021, include Shadow Shield, Shadow Tint, North 1 Technologies, One Armor and Tint Net.

This year’s top stories demonstrate an industry looking forward, not back. Despite pandemic pressures, companies kept tabs on legislation, grew through transactions and acquisitions, promoted diversity and inclusion and lifted others.

WINDOW FILM magazine’s team would like to thank its readers for tuning in and wishes everyone a Happy New Year.