NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Bridgestone Americas has made a 10% minority investment in Wrench, a mobile vehicle services and technology company.
"The partnership paves the way for Bridgestone and Seattle-based Wrench to explore synergies in their service offerings, including pairing Bridgestone's 2,200+ company-owned automotive service stores with Wrench's complementary mobile services marketplace," Bridgestone said.
Offerings currently available through the Wrench platform include on-site automotive maintenance, access to roadside and towing, vehicle detailing and its Lemon Squad used-vehicle inspection service. Currently the company offers its service in 21 markets around the country.
"With the rise of ecommerce and on-demand services, consumer preferences for car maintenance and car care are changing," Brian Goldstine, president of mobility solutions, Bridgestone Americas, said.
"Wrench, combined with our company-owned retail stores and affiliated dealer partners, will create a truly world-class service platform that gives consumers trusted automotive service with added convenience and flexibility."
Bridgestone and Wrench said they will launch their initial integration plans later this year, which include allowing Bridgestone retail stores to plug into Wrench as a referral business. Wrench customers will be able to book advanced vehicle service appointments at their local Firestone Complete Auto Care store, and existing Bridgestone retail customers also will be able to book future mobile service appointments, powered by Wrench.
"Wrench provides a technology-forward solution pairing convenience with a comprehensive suite of vehicle maintenance, repair and inspections services," Wrench CEO Ed Petersen said.
"Our partnership with Bridgestone will help accelerate the industry's digital transformation. This allows both companies to expand our customer offerings, while growing our technologies and vehicle care expertise together."
Bridgestone said the investment is an example of the tire maker's "pursuit of concierge services for personal mobility and fleet customers, which includes the recently launched RESOLV platform for subscription-based vehicle maintenance, and the company's Firestone Direct mobile tire and service business."
Wrench offers pre-purchase used-car inspections and comprehensive maintenance and repair performed at the vehicle owner's location.
Wrench is a privately held company whose other investors include Madrona Venture Group, Tenaya Capital, Vulcan Capital and Marubeni Corp.
