Advice to PE Firms

 What Private Equity Firms Should Look for in a Platform Acquisition In a recent conversation with a large private equity firm, we were asked to give some advice about how they might build a substantial consolidator from scratch. This particular firm had identified a very accomplished executive in the automotive space, but not specifically in … Read more

Vinart Case Study

Andrew Wright, Managing Partner at Vinart Dealerships, had successfully built a thriving automotive enterprise with five locations including a free-standing 40,000 square foot body shop. Managing the body shop alongside multiple remodeling projects and ongoing acquisitions was stretching his resources thin

Billions and Billions: Private Equity Investments in Collision Repair Surge 

In the last five months, more than $9 billion in capital has been invested into the collision repair industry by private equity firms. The biggest chunk of this new capital was $4.6 billion in debt refinancing by Caliber Collision. Crash Champions also refinanced a significant piece of its debt and brought in an additional equity investment. Classic Collision, CollisionRight, VIVE Collision and Kaizen all found new sponsors.  As the industry’s leading M&A advisor, we have thoughts and comments. 

Focus Advisors talks Consolidation and the Largest MSOs at the MSO Symposium

On Monday, October 30th, Focus Advisors Founder and Managing Director, David Roberts, presented at the 12th annual MSO Symposium in Las Vegas on the state of consolidation in the collision repair industry and gave an overview of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing MSOs. His full presentation is available for download if you’d kindly provide your … Read more

M&A Memos with Focus Advisors’ David Roberts

A sale of your shop may seem like a long way off, but it doesn’t hurt to start thinking about what the process looks like, says Focus Advisors Managing Director David Roberts. Amid all the hustle and bustle of the last three years of COVID, PPP loans, parts shortages, technician shortages and consolidation, there has … Read more

State of Play in the Collision Industry July 2022

David Roberts, Managing Director of Focus Advisors (focusadvisors.com), comments on the many acquisitions and openings in the first half of 2022.  Originally a co-founder of Caliber Collision, Roberts has led multiple MSO and paint distribution transactions including last year’s sale of Quanz Auto Body to Crash Champions.  He can be contacted at [email protected], 510-444-1173. State of … Read more

Step Up or Step Back: Thoughts on Dealer Body Shops

Collision repair has often been called the ugly stepchild of a dealer organization. Some dealers, though, have made collision repair the stars of their organizations. Among the largest dealers, some have focused on providing large scale, fully equipped and staffed operations, able to offer insurance companies pricing and performance equal to many regional MSOs and … Read more

Industry Leaders Weigh in on Today’s Big Topics

Recently, the Investment Banking Team at Focus Advisors sat down with some key industry leaders and posed a number of provocative questions about pressing issues. Over the course of many hours, these deeply experienced entrepreneurs shared their own thoughts, opinions and principles on which they are growing their businesses. Below we share brief comments from each of them.

Breathless: A Review of Collision Repair Acquisitions in 2021

Consolidation in 2020

With 2021 now in the rearview mirror, the industry is catching its breath after a year of sprinting that saw extraordinary acquisition activity.

Quanz Auto Body acquired by Crash Champions

Focus Advisors is pleased to recognize another great client, Quanz Advanced Auto Body. This our sixth client who has found a great partner in 2021. Congratulations to Adam and his whole team.