By CRM Staff
Montreal, Quebec — June 27, 2017 — After enormous success with its expansions into China and Australia, Fix Auto is eyeing a market a little closer to home: the United States.
There are already over 110 Fix Auto locations in the US, but the US trademark rights were licensed to a third party in 1997. Steve Leal, President of Fix Auto World, has formally announced plans to regain those trademark rights and to “directly enter the US market before the end of 2017,” according to a press release from Fix Auto.
“By regaining the rights to our trademark, we are asserting our commitment to the US market,” said Leal. “We look forward to growing the Fix Auto brand in the US by directly pursuing aggressive new strategies that leverage our global track record of elevating the brand and developing insurance channels.”
It wasn’t too long ago that Fix Auto’s Canadian operations were divided up into regional companies. Leal joined Fix Auto as a facility owner in the Cambridge, Ontario market in 2006. He acquired Fix Auto Ontario in 2008, followed by the acquisition of Fix Auto’s Atlantic operation in 2010. The operations of Fix Auto Alberta were purchased in 2011, and Leal became President of the new Fix Auto Canada in 2012.
Fix Auto has had shops in markets outside of Canada for years, including the UK and Turkey. However, the more recent expansions into China and Australia, as well as the forming of a new company, Fix Auto World, signaled a shift in the company’s global plans.
According to a statement from Fix Auto, the company has more than doubled the number of countries in which it operates over the last three years. Leal foresees more growth from expanding operations in the US.
“We see the potential for growth in the US automotive aftermarket space and we look forward to building on the momentum we’ve gained around the world.” said Leal. “The role of a master franchisor is to create value for its members; by aligning our global operations under one strong franchising model, we are better equipped to provide our members with the tools and support they need to evolve with the industry.”
The recent acquisition of aftermarket services companies Novus Glass and Speedy Auto Glass USA represents a combined total of over 230 automotive glass locations in the United States. These numbers add to Fix Auto’s growing global network of over 450 collision repair centres in nine countries.
“We are in the business of developing trusted consumer brands in the automotive services sector,” said Carl Brabander, Vice President of Marketing for Fix Auto World. “This is an incredible opportunity to add value to both the collision and glass sides of the business, and ultimately provide a more complete service offering to our industry partners and end customers. We look forward to having a direct impact on the success of Fix Auto, NOVUS Glass and Speedy Auto Glass in the US.”
A statement from Fix Auto World says the company will make further announcements regarding changes to its US operations before the end of the year. For more information, please visit fixauto.com.
