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Gerber Auto Collision & Glass Expands Operations With Acquisition

15 October 1998

Gerber Auto Collision & Glass Expands Operations With Acquisition Of Four Star Paint & Repair

  Chicago-Area's Largest Collision Repair Operator Adds Round Lake Facility

    CHICAGO, Oct. 15 -- Gerber Auto Collision & Glass, Illinois'
largest provider of collision repair and glass replacement services, today
announced the acquisition of Four Star Paint & Repair, located in Round Lake,
Illinois.  The purchase is the first in a planned series of strategic
acquisitions of top tier collision repair facilities.  The strategy is
designed to extend Gerber's coverage throughout the Midwest.
    "We are building a network of community and consumer-friendly businesses,"
said Neal Gerber, President and COO of Gerber.  "Four Star is an excellent fit
for us.  They have a solid reputation for quality and very strong community
ties.  Also, their facility and experienced staff will allow us to extend the
reach of our operation while delivering on our mission of high quality repairs
and high levels of customer service."
    Four Star, founded in 1976, has been owned and operated by Wayne Grossich.
"The foundation of our success has always been centered around ensuring a
positive experience for our customers," said Mr. Grossich.  "The opportunity
presented by the Gerber team represented an excellent fit as our business will
become part of a larger, growing operation that shares our commitment to
service and quality.  It was also very important for us to know that the
Gerber organization shares Four Star's strong commitment to its employees."
    The implementation of Gerber's communication technology and job tracking
systems will begin immediately and be completed by year-end.  Four Star
employees will be trained to ensure a smooth transition to these new business
tools.  "We have observed carefully what has happened when others in this
industry have grown without appropriate controls in place," stated Mr. Gerber.
"Our family name is on the front of every location and our growth plans are
carefully crafted to ensure that we continue to deliver on our promise to our
customers and to our insurance partners."
    Gerber Auto Collision & Glass provides repair and replacement services to
consumers and the insurance industry, serving over 15,000 customers last year.
Close working relationships with insurers, combined with state-of-the-art
vehicle repair systems and communications technology, enable Gerber to deliver
high quality repairs and premium customer service.  Founded in 1937, Gerber is
the largest collision repair group in Illinois and has plans for aggressive
expansion throughout the Midwest.
    For more information, contact Richard Fish, Executive Vice President Sales
and Marketing, Gerber Auto Collision & Glass, at 847-679-0510.