Caliber Collision Centers Expands into Palm Springs Market; Caliber Acquires the Bensi Auto Body Two Store Chain

1 December 2000

Caliber Collision Centers Expands into Palm Springs Market; Caliber Acquires the Bensi Auto Body Two Store Chain

    IRVINE, Calif.--Dec. 1, 2000--Caliber Collision Centers, an Irvine-based operator of high-quality collision repair facilities in California and Texas, has acquired Bensi's Body Shop in Palm Springs, Calif. and Bensi's Auto Body in Cathedral City, Calif., one of the largest collision repair service providers in the rapidly growing Coachella Valley market.
    Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The addition of Bensi's extends Caliber's position as the largest collision repair provider in California with 27 centers throughout Southern California and as the largest independently operated collision repair organization in the United States with annual revenues exceeding $155 million.
    According to Ed Medvic, vice president, corporate development of Caliber, the acquisition of the two Bensi centers is a direct response to the requests from the company's preferred insurance clients to begin providing collision repair and claims support services to their insureds in the underserved Palm Springs marketplace.
    "Caliber's expansion into Palm Springs and Cathedral City is a natural extension of our significant presence throughout Riverside County and San Bernardino County," said Medvic. "This acquisition will provide Caliber with a significant initial presence in this rapidly growing marketplace, which we plan to add to in 2001."
    Former owners of Bensi's Body Shop and Bensi's Auto Body, Frank and Sharon Bensi, will consult to Caliber in the integration of the business to the Caliber group. "I have known the Caliber organization for four years and have kept a watchful eye on their rapid development and success," said Frank Bensi.
    "Caliber has built a track record of providing its employees with a unique opportunity to help lead the positive change that is taking place in the collision repair industry and advance their careers," said Bensi. "My entire organization is excited about joining the Caliber team to better serve the insurance community and their customers."
    "Both my husband and I are extremely pleased with the outcome of this transaction," agreed Sharon Bensi.
    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 50 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.