Minnesota Entrepreneurs, Inc.
First Major Benefactor

Gerald Keinath

A Message of Thanks

Gerald Kenaith founded Novus Windshield, a pioneer in auto glass repair technology. He grew his business throughout the world by franchising. Gerald retained 100% control of his business and never considered taking on any partners. The story of Novus is a story of a determined, patient entrepreneur who never quit when the going got rough. At the time Gerald retired and sold his business, he had established over 2,500 franchises throughout 52 countries, including 750 franchises in the United States. Gerald's technology enabled the repair of auto windshield damage without replacing the entire glass. It revolutionized the auto glass industry by offering a unique and less expensive repair method.

Gerald has been a long time member of the Minnesota Entrepreneurs, Inc. and its predecessor the Minnesota Entrepreneur's Club. He was a featured speaker at the Minnesota Entrepreneurs where he told his business building strategy (see right panel story). He also participated as a panelist discussing the factors leading to successful business. During, 1999-2001, Gerald served on the board of directors of the Minnesota Entrepreneurs, Inc.

During 1998-2000, Gerald provided a gift of $10,000 to help grow The Minnesota Entrepreneurs. In doing so, he became the first major donor and benefactor after the organization incorporated as a non profit, tax-deductible 501(c)3 corporation. Gerald was made an honorary lifetime member of the board of directors during 2002. The Minnesota Entrepreneurs will always remember Gerald's kindness, generosity and his unassuming personality. Truly a great entrepreneur at heart and in practice!

THANK YOU GERALD

Ed Palmer, President 2001-2002
The Minnesota Entrepreneurs, Inc.

Gerald Keinath, Founder of Novus Windshield Recalls The Building of A Glass Empire -- December 1, 1998

Gerald Keinath is one of the Minnesota Entrepreneurs best kept secrets. For most of the 18 years since the inception of the organization, Keinath has quietly and faithfully attended meetings.

While many members know him by name, few are aware that in 1974, he created Novus Windshield Repair and built it into a global glass repair corporation. By the time he sold Novus, he had built it into a company with 750 United States franchises and 2,500 franchises throughout 52 countries.

World War II interrupted his college years, and by the time he returned, his parents had moved from Nebraska to Chicago. After graduating from Northwestern University, he began doing automotive research for Battelle, a non profit research company. Although he was only 24, Battelle sent him to Europe where he began new companies in Frankfurt and Geneva. These years gave him the linguistic, business and cultural background that would later prove vital to the growth of Novus.

In 1972, he decided to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams. A day after quitting his job, he was invit4ed by Dr. Frank Werner, the founder of Rosemount Engineering, to visit him in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Keinath soon learned that the invitation was more than social. Werner was perplexed by a recurring problem with a broken car window.

Two years later, Werner had created a patented repair process which he offered to Keinath in return for marketing and developing the idea. Automotive Innovators, Inc. was the name Keinath first chose for the corporation, but the name proved problematic. Keinath said, "One noon I decided to go to the library for the rest of the day and find a new name. I wanted a name related to innovations." He came upon the Latin word "Novus" which means a new order of things.

By the time he sold Novus, he had built it into a company with 750 United States franchises and 2,500 franchises throughout 52 countries.

Novus lived up to its new name under Keinath's leadership as he moved to franchising in 1982. The international headquarters still exists in the 40,000 square feet space that Keinath purchased in Bloomington. Although he is no longer at the helm since selling the business in 1993, Novus recently recognized Keinath with a special plaque which was presented to him at a meeting in California.

Join the Minnesota Entrepreneurs, Inc. on December 1, 1998 as Gerald Keinath tells the fascinating story of converting an invention into a successful business.

Hear him explain how he used franchising to build his Novus success.

The above story taken from the November 1998 Newsletter of the Minnesota Entrepreneur's, Inc. (Volume 13, Number 6)