Service King Collision Repair Centers is continuing its expansion with the purchase of AutoBody America (ABA), a collision repair company with 20 locations throughout Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. The transaction, including markets in Nashville, Memphis, Little Rock, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville, Jackson, Tenn., Jackson, Miss., and Fayetteville, Ark., closed on December 30, 2012.
Like this article? Sign up to receive our weekly news blasts here.These 20 new locations are I-CAR Gold Class repair centers capable of servicing more than 40,000 vehicles per year, the company said. AutoBody America’s staff of 250 people will be joining the Service King Collision Repair Centers, which currently employs more than 1,800 people in Texas and Arizona.
"We are very excited to partner with a great company in AutoBody America," said Mike Abbott, Market Vice President for Service King. "Our two companies have similar histories, which makes this merger a natural fit. AutoBody America and their great team will provide a strong platform for Service King in the Southeastern United States."
Jeff McFadden, President of Service King, added, "It's comforting to partner with an organization that delivers the level of customer service that Service King customers have grown accustomed, and we are very excited to welcome the professionals at AutoBody America to the Service King family. Pat James and Will Johnston have developed ABA into one of the top names in auto collision repair services, and our mutual objectives of continued innovation, quality repairs and customer satisfaction makes the partnership that much stronger."
The company grew from a one-store operation known as PJ's Auto Body in 1981 into a brand of 20 AutoBody America locations. Pat James and Will Johnston will continue in leadership roles with the company. “I am so thrilled at this opportunity to join forces with such a solid company that will help my team reach their potential for professional growth," said Pat James.
Chris Abraham, Chief Executive Officer for Service King added, "Pat, Will and their team have done a wonderful job of serving their customers and insurance partners, we are so excited to build on that level of customer service and become a part of each community. Our new team members at Autobody America will enhance our already talented and tenured leadership team and we are excited about this partnership continuing to spur future growth for the company."
The Carlyle Group, an investment firm, bought Texas-based Service King in August 2012, which provided capital needed to grow the company.
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