Toronto, Ontario -- A B.C.-based distributor is acquiring a Michigan rival's paint business.
In a press release, DealerShop Inc. confirmed the transfer its paint distribution division to the WESCO Group. According to the Michigan-based company, the move will allow it to concentrate on expanding its group purchasing organization services across the United States.
WESCO, headquartered in Langley, British Columbia, operates across Canada and the United States. The distributor supplies collision centers, dealerships and service providers with refinish coatings, equipment and related products.
DealerShop, based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, was founded as a cooperative purchasing initiative for automotive dealers before eventually developing as a service GPO or buying group. Its membership includes franchised dealerships, independent repair shops and collision repair facilities.
Following the divestiture, DealerShop now positions itself as the only nationwide GPO dedicated exclusively to the automotive industry. The organization uses artificial intelligence to analyze purchasing data, manage contracts and identify cost-control opportunities. DealerShop says these tools give members greater visibility into spending patterns and compliance while supporting profitability.
“We are excited to be the first company in our industry to transition from regional operations into a national GPO,” said Bill Gryzenia, chief executive officer of DealerShop. “Our nationwide scale, combined with AI-enabled analytics and automation, provides members with exceptional visibility into spend, contract compliance and savings opportunities.”
DealerShop has been recognized among the fastest-growing companies in its region, a distinction it attributes to the combination of nationwide reach, technology-driven cost management and expanded supplier programs.
