Canberra Bodyworks the latest to join Car Craft

The Car Craft Accident Repair Centre Group has been joined by another quality repairer; Canberra Bodyworks’ Daren Jones has now become the third business to join Car Craft in the ACT and southern NSW areas. Daren joins Cooma Smash Repairs and Kelley Bodyworks who also became part of the groups’ network.   Anyone who has had the opportunity to look through Daren’s impressive facility in Queanbeyan know he has spared no expense ensuring that only quality customer focused work leaves the building and it is this focus and drive that sees this business the top of the consumers list to get their vehicle repaired.

Car Craft General Manager Peter McMahon said ‘We are delighted to have Daren become part of the Car Craft Network of repairers, his facilities are very impressive but I think for me its Daren’s no-nonsense approach to making sure that the customer is first and only quality work leaves the premises and visiting his business his staff share that same culture’.

The Car Craft Accident Repair Centres held another meeting in the nation’s capital during budget week so as anyone knows when the budget is on it can be madness in Canberra. The meeting attended by current and potential shareholders was hosted by Car Craft South Australia Director Michael DeSciscio of Fairway Crash Repairs and Car Craft State Manager Ben Chesterfield and Car Craft Group GM Peter McMahon.

The meeting provided the opportunity to go into greater detail for prospective members which is a follow on from last year’s national road shows, held in the boardroom of the Rydges Capital Hill it provided a great environment for current members and future members to network, discuss the status of the industry now and the future with the majority in agreement that being part of a larger group and retaining your independence and identity is key to remaining strong and viable.

‘As we head towards the 30th year since the inception of Car Craft the strategy remains the same invite business owners to join the group who are like minded, want to be part of a network that is proven, viable and gives something back to the shareholder, the group has remained successful with keeping that focus’ McMahon added.

FIX AUTO CANADA ACQUIRES PRIME CARCARE GROUP

Steve Leal, President and CEO of Fix Auto Canada has announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Prime Care Group, Canadian owner of automotive brands Speedy Auto Service, 5 Gears Auto Care, Minute Muffler and Brake and the Canadian master franchisor for Novus Glass.

Steve Leal
Steve Leal

“This acquisition will create a unique opportunity for horizontal integration in the automotive repair sector”, said Leal. “Fix Auto became the number one consumer brand in collision repair through customer-driven focus, and we see great opportunity to further improve the customer experience by bringing together these leading automotive brands. This acquisition reinforces our commitment and support to the Canadian automotive aftermarket, and will benefit and expand offerings to support our existing partnerships.”

Prime CarCare Group currently operates 142 franchise locations in Canada under different brands, namely Speedy Auto Service, an iconic Canadian brand with a rich history that spans over 50 years of quality automotive service.The transaction is expected to close within 30 days, and while the terms are private, it is being partially funded by minority equity partner La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. “By reinvesting in FixAuto, la Caisse will enable the company to diversify its activities and pursue its Canada-wide growth strategy,” said Christian Dubé, Executive Vice-President, Québec of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.

“We see a great cultural and strategic fit with Fix Auto,” said David Lush, President and CEO of Prime CarCare Group Inc. “Our vision of building a full product offering around the customer’s needs is now complete with the addition of collision repair, and we are thrilled to be joining Fix Auto’s extended family!”

“Fix Auto franchisees are among the most innovative and entrepreneurial in the business, and a significant portion of our glass and mechanical work is currently being sublet to third parties,” added Leal. “This will create growth opportunities for all the franchisees in the system, and help deliver a more complete and consistent service offering to all our stakeholders.”