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.

Focus Advisors Represents Quanz Auto Body in its Sale to Crash Champions

December 21, 2021 – Focus Advisors, the leading M&A firm specializing in collision repair transactions, is proud to announce that its client, Quanz Auto Body of Albuquerque, NM, has been acquired by Crash Champions

Headwinds and Tailwinds

While repair demand has never been higher for most well positioned providers, technician shortages have never been worse. Parts costs are rising rapidly and cycle times are growing longer. Revenues and profits have been slow to recover for most collision repairers – whether large or small.

Straight Talk about Selling Your Body Shops

The time for straight talk about selling is long overdue for many owners.  No matter how much people want to avoid the specifics of leaving the business, selling their shops and maximizing the value of their business and real estate, continuing to put off that discussion isn’t being fair to your family, your employees and … Read more

Planning Ahead by Looking Back

Article by David Roberts featured in FenderBender’s October 2021 issue Remember Labor Day 2016 – five years ago? The recession was in the rear-view mirror. Business was thriving. Miles driven were increasing. New car sales were breaking records. State Farm had more than 18% market share. Paint loans were readily available for growing shops. Exit … Read more

Focus Advisors Represents a 2-shop MSO in its sale to an Undisclosed Buyer

October 1, 2021 – Focus Advisors, the leading M&A firm specializing in collision repair transactions, is proud to announce the sale of two shops to an undisclosed buyer. Kurt and Kathy Johnson, co-owners of the MSO in Puyallup and 30-year industry veterans, built their highly successful MSO 30 miles south of Seattle.  Co-owner Kathy Johnson … Read more