Dec. 10, 2012—Vehicle Service Group (VSG) has acquired Elektron Bremen GmbH, a global manufacturer of resistance welders, plasma cutters and battery service equipment.

Bremen, Germany-based Elektron joins Chief Automotive Technologies in VSG’s portfolio of collision repair brands. Chief is a global manufacturer of frame-pulling equipment, vehicle-anchoring systems, computerized measuring systems and vehicle frame specifications.

“The Elektron acquisition enables us to offer collision repair shops a total repair solution,” said Gary Kennon, president of Madison, Ind.-based VSG. “We can now supply equipment to diagnose and identify collision damage, repair the damage through pulling the frame, replacing parts or welding, and document that the vehicle was returned to the original manufacturer’s specifications. Elektron is an important strategic component as we continue building our global collision business.”

Chief has had exclusive marketing and distribution rights for Elektron products in North America, Central America and South America since August 2011. Mike Cranfill, vice president of collision for VSG, oversees the brands in those markets.

“It is in our customers’ best interests that we work to provide them with the best possible resources for collision repair equipment, vehicle specification data, training and support from a single source,” Cranfill said. “Elektron makes some of the finest resistance welders in the world. Their welds have been tested and approved by more vehicle OEMs than any other welder brand. We are privileged to bring Elektron into the VSG family of collision brands.”

VSG, which has manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia, now comprises nine major vehicle lifting and collision repair brands: Rotary Lift, Chief Automotive Technologies, Elektron, Forward Lift, Direct-Lift, Hanmecson, Revolution Lift, Blitz and nogra.