May 26, 2023 – Focus Advisors, the leading M&A firm in Collision Repair, is proud to announce the successful sale of Vinart Dealerships’ body shop and formation of its ongoing services agreement with VIVE Collision. Vinart’s body shop in Allentown, PA services the Lehigh Valley with certifications for Honda, Acura, Hyundai, Mercedes, and Porsche. VIVE Collision is a regional collision repair consolidator focused on quality repairs from highly certified shops.
Partner Chris Lane of Focus Advisors emphasized how this transaction was mutually beneficial: “For dealers looking to exit the body shop business, the successful formula is often to sell the body shop to a reputable buyer, establish a long-term lease for their space, and form a services agreement to become exclusive parts supplier and certifications sponsor while receiving preferential body shop services for the dealership. Andy Wright at Vinart recognized the value of this formula from the start.”
Andy Wright, President of Vinart Dealerships, agreed, “We are focused on growing our dealership business and the body shop wasn’t getting the attention it deserved, so I reached out to Focus Advisors and we made plans to find the right acquirer and partner. They know all the buyers, the process, and helped us negotiate through an intricate transaction and services agreement that goes beyond the scope of a typical asset sale. They helped me realize significant value for my body shop operation and real estate and I’m very happy I reached out to them when I did.”
Although there has been considerable consolidation in both collision repair and dealership industries, Focus Advisors is seeing increasing interest by successful dealership owners to sell their body shops and enter services agreements. Managing Director of Focus Advisors David Roberts authored a paper titled “Step Up or Step Back: Thoughts on Dealer Body Shops”, where he cites a recent case study, “six months after acquisition, the dealer is selling nearly twice as many parts to that same MSO . The MSO’s sales in that same location have doubled. The dealer is now receiving market rent for the shop. Cycle times on dealer referred repairs have improved by 35%. Additional dealer benefits have included fewer staffing challenges, lower investments in equipment and training, reduced occupancy costs and reduced insurance costs,” and concluded “dealers have choices – to step up, invest and perform at the level of competitive consolidators and MSOs – or step back and realize improved operational and financial benefits by selling their shops.”
About Focus Advisors
Focus Advisors is the top M&A firm in the collision industry, a FINRA registered and regulated investment bank, representing MSOs, Dealerships, and larger single shops. We help entrepreneurs create and realize equity value by providing expert advice, raising capital, and facilitating the sale of their businesses. With 25 years of industry experience, Managing Director David Roberts, a co-founder of Caliber Collision, has led more than 40 transactions with a combined transaction value exceeding $500 million including Pride Collision, Quanz Auto Body, Mills Body Shops, and Master Collision Group.
About Vinart Dealerships
Founded in 1984 by original business partners Arthur Wright Jr. and Vincent Piazza, the Vinart Dealerships operates a chain of franchised automobile dealerships in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania consisting of Acura, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche franchises. Today, the business is operated by Managing Partner, Andrew Wright. Collectively the group retails over 6000 new and used vehicles annually and employs over 350 team members.
