The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

ABRA Auto Body & Glass Acquires Fifth Location in Georgia

7 May 1999

ABRA Auto Body & Glass Acquires Fifth Location in Georgia

    MINNEAPOLIS--May 6, 1999--ABRA Auto Body & Glass, LLC, the nation's leader in damaged vehicle repair, today announced it has successfully completed its acquisition of Classic Paint & Body in Marietta, GA.
    Classic Paint & Body, formerly owned by Bob McGraw and Gene Rhodes, becomes the fifth ABRA Auto Body & Glass facility in the state of Georgia, including stores in Douglasville, Carrollton, Marietta, and Newnan. Classic Paint & Body has built a 30 year reputation of being the preferred body shop for luxury import vehicles in the greater Atlanta area.
    "We have a loyal customer base, a great technician team and we do high quality work, but in order to grow and increase revenues we knew we had to focus more on automating our facility," stated Rhodes on the sale of his business. "ABRA's advanced technology will allow us to improve our operating efficiencies, enhance communication and reduce cycle time," added McGraw. "Classic Paint & Body is a solid company whose owners have worked extremely hard in developing a nice niche in the marketplace," said Rollie Benjamin, President and CEO of ABRA Auto Body & Glass. "We are very pleased to have this reputable company, with its loyal customer base and dealer relationships, join ABRA. The synergies between our best practices and dedication to quality will strengthen our current customer relationships and help build new ones."
    Founded in Minneapolis, MN, in 1984, ABRA Auto Body & Glass, LLC is a full service collision repair, paintless dent repair and auto glass replacement and repair company. ABRA operates 66 collision repair facilities in 12 states. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

About ABRA Auto Body & Glass, LLC

    ABRA Auto Body & Glass, LLC provides repair services for damaged vehicles featuring full service collision repair, paintless dent repair, and auto glass replacement and repair. A leader in a consolidating industry, ABRA is capitalizing on its well developed infrastructure to pursue an aggressive growth strategy. Utilizing a combination of acquisitions, and new construction in large markets and franchising in smaller markets, ABRA expects to grow to over 200 locations during the next three years. Privately held, ABRA employs over 800 and operates 66 locations in 12 states. The principle stockholders are Rollie Benjamin, Tim Adelmann , GE Capital Corporation and Firemark Advisors, Inc. Calls are encouraged and welcome. Rollie Benjamin (CEO), Tim Adelmann (COO), and Duane Rouse (CFO) can be reached at (612) 561-7220. E-mail can be sent to pr@abraauto.com.