Crash Champions is Merging with Service King

After months of speculation about the future of Service King, a blockbuster merger was announced to Service King managers last Friday. The two consolidators will merge and create a 550+ shop operation with upwards of $2 billion in annualized sales.  While still smaller than Gerber and far behind Caliber, this new entity will be competing … 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

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.

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

Focus Advisors Represents the Parsons/Middleton 8-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 eight shops to an undisclosed buyer. Owners Jeff Middleton and Kevin Parsons operated their eight shops as an MSO with key locations along the I5 corridor in the Seattle WA region.   David Roberts, … Read more