Caliber Collision Centers Acquires San Marcos Auto Body.

Business Editors and Automotive Writers

IRVINE, Calif.--(AutomotiveWire)--Dec. 14, 2000

Caliber Collision Centers, an Irvine-based operator of high-quality collision repair facilities in California and Texas, has acquired San Marcos Auto Body, the leading collision repair service provider in San Marcos, Calif.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The addition of San Marcos Auto Body extends Caliber's position as the largest collision repair provider in San Diego County with nine centers operating throughout the county and two centers under development. It also further extends Caliber's position as the largest independently operated collision repair organization in the United States, with 51 centers in California and Texas.

According to Rick Reiss, Caliber's vice president and San Diego regional manager, the acquisition of San Marcos Auto Body solidifies Caliber's presence in the rapidly growing North San Diego County market and fills a void between Caliber's Carlsbad and Escondido centers.

"Caliber acquired the San Marcos center in direct response to the request of Caliber's insurance partners who identified an immediate need for a high-quality collision repair facility in the North San Diego County area," said Reiss. "This acquisition was particularly compelling due to two factors.

"Firstly, the prior owner, Mike Mead, and his team have developed an outstanding reputation for quality repairs and outstanding customer service over the past 12 years. Secondly, the San Marcos facility, which currently includes 16,000 square feet of capacity will increase over 50% by mid-2001.

"This additional production capacity will assure that Caliber's clients and consumers will be well served for years to come in this rapidly growing community," added Reiss.

Former owner of San Marcos Auto Body, Mead, will assist in the integration of the business to the Caliber group. "Caliber Collision Centers has given me the opportunity to pass along my business to a company that has demonstrated the same level of quality and service to its clients and consumers that I have provided for the last 12 years," stated Mead.

"We are excited about San Marcos Auto Body joining the Caliber team."

Caliber entered the San Diego Market in August of this year after acquiring Chapparone Auto Body. With the addition of San Marcos Auto Body and 2 centers under construction in El Cajon and La Mesa, Caliber will operate 11 centers in the San Diego County marketplace.

Founded in 1991, with headquarters in Irvine, Caliber Collision Centers operates high-quality collision repair facilities in California and Texas.

Caliber currently owns and operates 51 facilities and plans to continue acquiring, developing and integrating high-volume collision repair centers while providing innovative collision repair solutions and automobile physical damage claims support.