Federated Member Motown Automotive Opens New Training Center

On April 19, longtime Federated member Motown Automotive held the grand opening and dedication of its new training center, the Elwood K. Sechrist Training Center. Named after Motown's founder, the Sechrist Training Center is located at Motown's corporate distribution center in Farmington Hills, MI.

On April 19, longtime Federated member Motown Automotive held the grand opening and dedication of its new training center, the Elwood K. Sechrist Training Center. Named after Motown’s founder, the Sechrist Training Center is located at Motown’s corporate distribution center in Farmington Hills, MI.

(L to R): Ray Wiedman and Carl Tellier, Tenneco; Paul Sechrist, Mary Sechrist and Tom Sechrist, owners of Motown Automotive

“The Sechrist Center was created to train our customers as well as our employees, as Motown is committed to having the best trained managers, counter staff and sales force in the industry,” said Thomas Litzinger, director of sales and marketing for Motown Automotive. “We will use the facility for training on the latest technical information and the most effective leadership techniques. Mr. Sechrist was always committed to providing his employees with everything they needed to succeed and this training center will be a great testament to his commitment to excellence.”

Among those attending the dedication ceremony on April 19 included many members of the Sechrist family, Motown executives and employees as well as Motown and Federated manufacturing partners.

“We want to extend a special thanks to Tenneco for partnering with us to make the Sechrist Training Center a reality,” continued Litzinger. “Motown Automotive and Tenneco are both dedicated to training aftermarket professionals to be the best they can be.”

Motown Automotive is the leading full line undercar and underhood auto parts warehouse in southern Michigan with over 50 years of experience in the automotive marketplace. Family owned and operated, Motown has 12 locations in Ann Arbor, Brighton, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Plymouth, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Taylor, Troy, Waterford and two locations in Farmington Hills. For more information, visit www.motownauto.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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