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Vol. 11 / Issue 3 / June 2020
A Look at the Impact of Driven Brands Purchase of Fix Auto USA & Auto Center Auto Body by Stacey Phillips
With Driven Brands’ purchase of Fix Auto USA and Auto Center Auto Body on April 21, the collision repair industry is experiencing another shift in landscape during a time of accelerating consolidations. FOCUS Advisors, Inc., a full-service mergers and acquisitions (M&A) firm specializing in the automotive aftermarket, announced the completion of the transaction for both parties in a press release to the industry. Autobody News had the opportunity to talk to David Roberts, man-
aging director of FOCUS Advisors, Inc., about the transaction and its impact in the industry.
Q:
tion?
Can you share some of the background of this transac-
A:
Erick Bickett and I have been friends and professional colleagues for nearly 27 years. He and Shelly Bickett have had a huge impact on this industry for a long time and are some of the most sophisticated operators in the country. See Purchase of Fix Auto USA, Page 10
NY Regions Can Start to Reopen May 15, Governor Says The state’s stay-at-home order is set to expire May 15 and, for some New York’s governor told regional areas, Gov. Andrew Cuomo suggestrepresenatives to prepare to reopen ed it is time for people to start their from May 15, but with detailed plans return to normal life. He made it clear to closely monitor any resurgence of that reopening would only affect arthe new coronavirus. eas less seriously affected by the virus, with hard-hit places like New York City continuing with the shut down. “It’s not going to happen statewide,” Cuomo said. “Rather than wait for the whole state to be ready, we will reopen on a regional basis. “If upstate has to be A graph shows the rate of hospitalizations in New York by Adam Nichols, Patch
State. Credit: Office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo
See Reopen May 15, Page 12
PERMIT #288 ANAHEIM, CA
PAID
Change Service Requested
by Ken Strong, CBT Automotive Network
With social distancing, isolation and quarantine efforts dominating news and daily life, coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the U.S. and world economies. The automotive industry has felt the impact. Manufacturers and dealers are all working on innovative ways to make it through the crisis. While sales departments are implementing digital retailing efforts, parts and service departments are also working on ways to put customers at ease and stabilize business operations.
Parts Shortages While dealerships haven’t started to notice the impact of coronavirus on parts supply, automakers are scrambling to find parts and prevent shortages in their supply chains as the spread of the coronavirus rattles markets and threatens to roil manufacturing processes globally. General Motors recently identified a potential parts shortage and airlifted supplies for its North American truck production, according to United Auto Workers officials. Fiat Chrysler has said it is seeking alternative suppliers. Others like See Parts Departments, Page 23
As we move from medical crisis to economic recovery, Autobody News chooses to focus on information detailing how the economy is recovering and how companies are managing that process. Please check Autobodynews.com for the most current information.
Two Shops in NJ Make Necessary Adjustments, Will ‘Weather the Storm’ by Victoria Antonelli
Autobody News reached out to two single-location shops in New Jersey that participated in the “Analysis of the Body Shop” survey and volunteered to elaborate further on their responses. 1. What is the name of your shop? Where are you located? How many employees do you have? What year did you open? Domenic’s Auto Body; Beverly, NJ; Seven employees; 1982 Fantastic Plastic, Inc; Clifton, NJ; Six employees; 1982 2. Has the pandemic affected your productivity? How so? Have you been able to stay open? How much more/less productive have you been since the initial quarantine orders (percentage wise)?
Nikki Donaghy, office manager at Domenic’s Auto Body: “We have downsized, but we were able to stay open. Less people on the roads equals less accidents equals less work. While business is still way
Fantastic Plastic, Inc., is located in Clifton, NJ.
down from where it was, we have seen some increased accident activity in the past week [as of May 1.] I would say about 20% to 25% more than previous weeks. I have jobs on the schedule for the first time since this whole thing started. We will See ‘Weather the Storm’, Page 24
P.O. BOX 1516, CARLSBAD, CA 92018
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How COVID-19 is Affecting Parts Departments
5/20/2020 5:13:11 PM