In one of the most significant network moves in recent years, CARe has signed a definitive agreement to acquire MotorOne Autobody.
“While the transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals, we expect these conditions to be finalised over the coming months,” said CARe co-founder Jim Vais.
The acquisition shoots the two networks into the number two slot in terms of size, behind AMA Group (circa 120), with 38 sites. The next closest is likely Repairhub and Drive with over 20 each.
The transaction creates an exciting future for both businesses, says the media release. “CARe’s acquisition of MotorOne Autobody will enrich the technical expertise of both businesses while broadening the service offering to customers and enhancing career development opportunities for people as part of a broader, more sophisticated organisation.”
Vais said: “As we look to the next phase of CARe’s growth and innovation, we have been exploring strategic opportunities that align with our vision, our culture and our commitment to our customers and team members. The acquisition of MotorOne Autobody enriches our technical expertise, broadens our service offering and enhances the development opportunities for our customers and our people.”
MotorOne Autobody CEO Valentina Tripp said: “This is an exciting development for MotorOne Autobody and represents a significant milestone in the advancement of the Australian collision repair landscape. Post-completion, it increases the resources, expertise and service capabilities of both MotorOne Autobody and CARe to create two enhanced, more sophisticated networks for our respective customers.”
Vais was the brains behind Capital S.M.A.R.T, where he created an enviable culture and, at the time, a revolutionary approach towards driveable repair. He was also widely understood to have lifted industry standards in terms of workshop presentation, branding, efficiency and customer service.
After he sold his share of S.M.A.R.T to Suncorp Group in 2018, and AMA Group subsequently bought S.M.A.R.T towards the end of 2019, he began to work on an advanced workshop management system to create a technology-based approach to vehicle repair. The system, among other features, allows for remote estimating and triaging to ensure the vast majority of vehicles arriving at a repair facility are within the desired scope.
CARe was set up in 2022 as a driveable repair network and expanded quickly through a mix of purpose-built sites and acquisitions. It now has 18 repair centres spread across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
MotorOne Autobody was founded in 2019 and now has 20 sites across Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales. The business is a division of the larger Worldmark Group, owned by Quadrant Private Equity. The networks will remain separate entities.