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Letter to the Editor

ABRA Auto Body & Glass Adds Franchises in TN and NC

The new TN facility, located in Hixson, is the third ABRA franchise awarded to Nelson Bowers II in the greater Chattanooga trade area.

Mark Wahlin, Director of Franchising, commented, “We are very happy with the success of Nelson’s franchises in Chattanooga and Cleveland. This success can be attributed to their team’s in-depth knowledge of the damaged vehicle repair industry, and their emphasis on integrity. Their professional staff and leadership fit perfectly with our corporate philosophy, and we feel confident that the Hixson location will perform up to the high standards expected of all ABRA centers.”

When asked of his decision to open an additional ABRA franchise, Bowers said, “Our affiliation with ABRA has been very rewarding primarily because of the company's commitment to superior service and excellent craftsmanship. The procedures, training, and marketing support provided by its corporate staff allow us to deliver industry-leading levels of efficiency and quality. Our goal has always been to open additional ABRA facilities within the Chattanooga area in order to capture the largest market share in this area.”

ABRA has also opened two repair centers in the Wilmington, NC area. Located in Shallotte and Castle Hayne, the franchises were awarded to Anthony Reese.

Wahlin notes, “Anthony has been in the collision repair business for almost 25 years, starting as a technician and eventually becoming the CEO of a multi-unit group. He left that position earlier this year to pursue his dream of owning his own repair centers. Because of our shared values of operational excellence, continuous improvement, and developing industry-leading team members, the fit between our two companies was a natural.”

Joining Reese’s management team are Ken Depper and Bryan Harrell, as General Managers of Shallotte and Castle Hayne respectively. Both men began their careers as refinishers, and have steadily moved through numerous positions to become experienced managers. Most recently, Depper was with Mulder Collision in Chicago, and Harrell was the previous owner of what is now ABRA-Castle Hayne.

Reese commented, “I’ve been aware of ABRA’s track record for years, and have always been impressed with their commitment to superior service and excellent craftsmanship. I know that the procedures, training, and marketing support provided by their corporate staff will allow us to deliver industry-leading levels of efficiency and quality to the Wilmington market. My goal is to open additional ABRA facilities within the area over the next few years. This will afford us the opportunity to capture the largest market share in this area.”

ABRA Auto Body & Glass, a Minneapolis-based damaged vehicle repair company, currently operates 91 facilities.

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