Update: Goodturn launches after acquisition streak

NEW YORK — After a series of acquisitions, Goodturn Tire & Auto, an automotive services platform comprised of 24 locations and 10 brands, officially launched in late April.

The platform is co-founded by David Manning and Seth Sands, veterans of the private-equity sector and co-CEOs of Apex Automotive, who spent about three years growing Goodturn. The business has expanded from three Apex stores in south Florida to 27 locations in four states.

The tire and automotive service industry is a large and fragmented market with a growing need for qualified technicians. It’s a space where Goodturn can succeed and challenge the sometimes negative perception of the auto repair industry, Sands said.

“We really felt that through the evolving technologies that were emerging in the space… We could really focus on delivering the best customer service experience possible, and always doing that with honesty and integrity,” Sands told Tire Business.

“We’re really focused on doing right by our customers and doing right by our employees, and, more importantly, providing a great home for sellers that are looking to have their employees taken care of and have their customers taken care of,” Manning added. 

“We can do that. Goodturn is really the right home for them.”

The company named Christian Seem — formerly chief operating officer at Spotless Car Wash Brands and a 20-year veteran of the multi-retail and auto services industries — president of Goodturn.

"We're proud to finally go to market with the launch of our new platform, Goodturn, and to officially welcome Christian as president. The growth we've seen thus far is indicative of the strong conviction we place in our business model and exceptional team, proving our ability to scale in the highly fragmented automotive services market," Sands said in a news release.

Goodturn isn’t rebranding the businesses it acquires, but bringing them under the Goodturn umbrella. Doing so offers the shops operating consistency and back office functions, such as human resources and accounting support. Goodturn also can improve shops buying capabilities, Manning said.

Goodturn approaches each business as a partnership and works to determine what they need, whether it’s more employees or new equipment or an investment in new technology, Manning said.

“It’s such a local business,” he said. “We want to maintain and highlight the storied history of a lot of these businesses in their markets and their connections to their customers and their employees and their teams.”

Goodturn initially focused its acquisitions in the South and Midwest, areas with lots of opportunities for consolidation. It’s been strategic with its acquisitions, eyeing strong businesses with ties in their local communities, Sands noted.

“We want to continue to build out our team, make sure that our teams are supported, make sure they know how to be successful for the long term, not just add rooftops,” he said. “We’re going to continue to grow but it’s really a kind of growth that is focused, and also growth that is measured for the right reason.” 

Goodturn's brands include:

• Adelphia Auto and Tire – one store in Lighthouse Point, Fla.;
• Apex Automotive — doing business as Scott's Tire & Service in Port St. Lucie, Fla. and Golden Gate Tire & Service in Stuart, Fla.;
• Atlantic Tire & Service — five locations in North Carolina;
• The Detroit Garage — 10 locations, including two under the Hal's Auto Clinic brand and one under the Chuck's Garage Lansing brand;
• Collier Car Care – one location in Naples, Fla.; and
• Great Bear Automotive — one location in Westin, Fla.

Financial details of those acquisitions were not disclosed. 

The co-founders also hinted that more acquisitions may be announced soon.