Federated Announces Shop Of The Year: Brighton Auto Service

Brighton Auto Service of Brighton, Mich., has been selected as the 2014 Federated Shop of the Year. The Federated Shop of the Year program recognizes a top shop with a demonstrated track record of excellence in such areas as customer service, quality repairs, knowledgeable staff and community involvement.

(L to R): Federated Shop of the Year, Brighton Auto Service: Tom Summers, Les Jankowski, Chris Donovan, Mark Boon, Alan Abdella, Eric Muir, Bill Wasylyk, Bobby Lee Keeney Jr. Brighton
Auto Service of Brighton, Mich., has been selected as the 2014 Federated Shop
of the Year. The Federated Shop of the Year program recognizes a top shop with
a demonstrated track record of excellence in such areas as customer service,
quality repairs, knowledgeable staff and community involvement.

Winning
shop owners, Bobby Lee Kenney, Jr. and Eric Muir will be guests of Federated at
the upcoming Federated National Meeting in Phoenix, Ariz. and will receive
special recognition during the May 1 awards banquet. Federated member Motown Automotive nominated Brighton
Auto Service for the honor and will be on hand to present the prestigious
award.

Brighton
Auto Service has been providing top quality repairs and customer service since
1986. Known for the motto “We fix almost anything on almost any vehicle,” the
successful repair business has eight bays and the capacity to double-stack
vehicles for a total of 10 service stations. While its six ASE-certified
technicians specialize in both import and domestic vehicle repairs, the shop is
recognized as the import expert in the Brighton area.

“The shops
nominated for the Federated Shop of the Year award were all very impressive,
making the decision a very difficult one, but Brighton Auto Service rose to the
top,” said Phil Moore, senior vice president for Federated. “We want to commend
owners Bobby Lee Keeney Jr., Eric Muir and Bill Wasylyk on building a
successful and well-respected business. We congratulate them and their entire
team as the 2014 Federated Shop of the Year.”

For more
information, visit www.federatedautoparts.com.

When Your Shop Is Worth Much More Than You Thought

Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.

Case Study: Owner of San Francisco-based Import Service Shop Delighted to Discover Just How Valuable His Business is to Qualified Buyers
I sometimes share case studies of the clients I have been able to assist in my role as an aftermarket business broker and provider of intermediary and advisory services. I do that when I think the story will provide a reader in similar circumstances with new insights or helpful information.
In the case of Cowden Automotive, Inc., I acted in a consulting capacity assisting the owner and his broker in valuing the business, creating a marketing plan, finding a qualified buyer, and arranging financing for the sale.
Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.
Needless to say, delivering that kind of good news to a shop owner is a rewarding experience. Discovering that the sale of his business would result in his retirement nest-egg being substantially larger than he had ever thought was a fitting tribute to someone who had spent his entire working career as a busy automotive service shop owner.

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