Aug. 7, 2012—CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts recently added two collision repair centers based in Houston to its network—CSI CARSTAR and Pinnacle CARSTAR Auto Body.
CARSTAR said Cheryl Perdue, owner of CSI CARSTAR, is a 25-year veteran in the auto body industry. Her husband, Trey Perdue, is the general manager of the family-owned facility, which has operated since 1983.
“By becoming part of CARSTAR, we maintain our independence but are now part of the nation’s largest MSO, which will impact us from a competitive standpoint,” Trey Perdue said. “We also looked at the whole package of what CARSTAR can bring to the table for us: better pricing through their buying power, corporate rebates, operational and marketing support and insurance relationships as well as the opportunity to join a growing brand not just in the Houston market but on a national scale as well.”
Martin Russell, owner of Pinnacle CARSTAR Auto Body, has 20 years of industry experience. CARSTAR said Russell also joined its network due to the economic and marketing advantages associated with becoming a franchise, such as use of the CARSTAR management system, participation in 19 corporately-managed direct repair programs (DRPs), and involvement with 45 corporately-managed purchasing programs.
“My business is growing to a point where I need assistance in managing growth,” Russell said. “The operational and organizational support I will get from CARSTAR will help me streamline my business. I am also looking at this as an exit strategy. I know being part of the national CARSTAR brand will bring more value to my business when I do decide to sell. The fact that I have marketing and operational support, buying power, DRPs and marketing will be very beneficial in the valuation of my business.”
With the two new locations, CARSTAR now operates eight collision repair facilities near Houston. The company operates more than 400 locations throughout 31 U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces.
