ABRA Announces St. Louis Park Change

    MINNEAPOLIS--April 12, 2001--ABRA Auto Body & Glass, a national damaged vehicle repair company, announced today the mutual termination of the franchise agreement for the St. Louis Park, MN repair facility. Effective immediately, this location will operate as a company-owned facility, becoming the nineteenth company-owned center in the Minneapolis metro.
    According to Rollie Benjamin, President and CEO of ABRA, "This change in ownership will be indiscernible to our customers. Daily operations will continue uninterrupted, with all current employees remaining as ABRA team members."
    While ABRA will only be making minor facility upgrades, improvements in automation will be implemented immediately. Enhancements will include new computer hardware and software, as well as the installation of ABRA's Management System. "One of our goals is to make this repair center more efficient for our insurance partners", continued Benjamin. "By upgrading their technology, we will be able to provide better reporting and scheduling for the insurance community and their insureds. We are also pleased that we are able to retain the entire employee base. We feel that in the long-term we will be providing better benefits and promotional opportunities for them."
    The St. Louis Park facility, located at 3555 South Highway 100, contains approximately 10,000 square feet, and employs seven I-Car certified technicians. In addition to collision repair, this center will continue to offer auto glass repair and replacement, as well as paintless dent removal.

ABRA Auto Body & Glass is a national damaged vehicle repair company specializing in collision repair, paintless dent removal, and auto glass repair and replacement. Started with one repair center in 1984, they have grown to sixty-eight facilities in ten states. Their plans for accelerated national growth over the next several years include acquiring existing facilities and building new locations.