premier mergers and acquisitions firm, is pleased to announce the
successful sale of Auto- Lab, a West Michigan-based auto repair and
service company to 13 Marketing Group.
This business consists of two Auto-Lab automobile repair shops in the
northeast and southwest reaches of metropolitan Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The shops are part of the Auto-Lab franchise group. The Auto-Lab network
began in Michigan and is focused in the Midwest, although this year
several Auto-Lab shops are set to open in Texas.
The Grand Rapids-area shops were opened in 1996 by the current owners.
One is at 279 Baldwin Street in Jenison in a high-traffic location at
the corner of Baldwin and Main. The other is at 5333 Plainfield Avenue
NE in Grand Rapids, near the East Beltline, another high traffic
commercial corridor.
The shops have expanded from basic automotive services to include
specialized automotive electronics, including the Smart Start ignition
interlock system to combat intoxicated driving. The owners have put an
emphasis on integrity, earning good ratings from AAA and the Better
Business Bureau.
The Auto-Lab franchise system provides a professional approach to
automotive technology. More complex cars call for competent diagnostic
and repair services at affordable prices. The system emphasizes a
commitment to the customer. Auto-Lab’s corporate staff provides
franchisees with assistance in day-to-day operations, including
categories such as purchasing of goods and equipment, marketing,
financing, legal and accounting consultation.
The former owner, a military veteran
with 47 years of car care experience, decided to sell in order to retire
and have time to pursue other interests. The owner developed a team of
managers and technicians who are well educated, experienced and
certified by the State of Michigan and the Automotive Service Excellence
(ASE) organization. He is looking forward to consulting opportunities
within the industry to continue his passion for training and mentoring
franchisees.
13 Marketing Group is excited to continue to build on the legacy of the previous owner of Auto- Lab. According to the buyer, “Having
gone through other M&A transactions with different transition
professionals assisting, in my experience Rua Associates stands head and
shoulders above their peers, doing what is needed to effectively
facilitate the deal.”
Rua Associates works on both the buy-side and the sell-side of
mergers and acquisitions, and is anticipating continued growth as the
economy improves. Rua Associates believes in an in-depth, personal
approach to business & market preparation for the parties they
represent in a transaction, and maintain that relationship until the
transaction closes. They accomplish this by structuring the company as a
fully-integrated team, which supports their clients from start to
finish.