Caliber Collision Acquires Cavender Collision Center in San Antonio

    IRVINE, Calif.--Sept. 25, 2001--Caliber Collision Centers, an Irvine-based operator of high-quality collision repair facilities in California and Texas, announced the acquisition of Cavender Collision Center, a member of the Cavender Auto Family -- one of the largest and most respected dealership groups in San Antonio.
    The addition of the Cavender Collision Center further expands Caliber's position as the largest collision repair provider in San Antonio. In 1998, Caliber entered the San Antonio market through the acquisition of two centers operated as Slim's Paint & Body. With the addition of Cavender Collision Center and the recently opened Caliber Express location, which specializes in the repair of light to moderately damaged vehicles, Caliber now operates seven centers in the San Antonio market.
    This acquisition also further extends Caliber's position as the largest independently operated collision repair organization in the United States with annual revenues exceeding $190 million.
    According to Caliber's Senior Vice President of Texas operations, Doug Boazman, the 25,000 square-foot facility enhances Caliber's presence in the rapidly growing San Antonio market. "Under Caliber's ownership, Cavender Collision Center will continue to deliver the highest level of customer satisfaction, reflecting our commitment to providing insurers and vehicle owners with high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective vehicle repair," said Boazman.
    According to Stephen Cavender, president and general manager of the Cavender Auto family, the decision to sell Cavender Collision Center enables the company to focus mainly on the new car, used car, service and parts segments of their dealership operations.
    "Because of Caliber's reputation in the region and its wide market coverage with seven locations throughout the San Antonio region, the service and convenience to our customers will be enhanced," said Cavender. "Caliber is a first-class operation and we take great comfort in knowing that our loyal customers will continue to receive best-in-class collision repair services and that our employees will benefit from expanded career growth opportunities."
    Founded in 1991, with headquarters in Irvine, Caliber Collision Centers operates high-quality collision repair facilities in California and Texas. Caliber currently owns and operates 60 facilities and plans to continue acquiring, developing and integrating high-volume collision repair centers while providing innovative collision repair solutions and automobile physical damage claims support.