August 1, 2014 HMA Website

Marx Group Advisors Announces Formation of Collision Division

SAN RAFAEL, CA— Tom Marx, CEO of Marx Group Advisors announced today the formation of a new business segment in the collision repair/paint, body and equipment (PBE) segment of the aftermarket for mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. Marx Group Advisors Collision Division will be led by Ray Datt, vice president, and Mike Bryan, who recently joined Marx Group Advisors as its newest vice president.

“With many collision repair operators ready to exit the business and with others planning to grow by acquisition, Marx Group Advisors saw an opportunity to help put these two together,” said Marx. “In many cases, those wishing to exit will need help in thinking through their personal goals, preparing their business for sale and marketing it. With the capable leadership of Ray and Mike, we want to become known as the ‘go-to’ company for mergers and acquisitions in the collision repair industry.”

Bryan has extensive sales, marketing and strategic planning experience in the collision repair industry, most notably with ICI Autocolor paints. Bryan is a former chairman of the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA) and a founder of the Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF), an organization that provides a national venue for all collision industry stakeholders to network, share information and collaborate to develop solutions to common industry issues and challenges. After establishing his own consulting business in 1999, Bryan managed CCIF from 2001 to 2013, developing it into a respected national body influencing the strategic direction of the Canadian collision repair industry.

Datt, former president of AIA, joined Marx Group Advisors in 2012 as vice president of its Advisory Board. He continues to serve as president of RD & Associates, a strategic and business planning company based in Canada.

Marx Group Advisors assists automotive, commercial vehicle and heavy duty aftermarket companies with strategic consulting services for mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, as well as with capital formation for private equity placements. The company is engaged in all channels of the industry, including manufacturing, warehouse distribution, program groups, jobbers and service and repair chains.