By Mike Davey
Winnipeg, Manitoba — August 9, 2017 — The Boyd Group has officially announced the acquisition of Concours Collision Centres. The multi-store operation, consisting of four collision repair facilities located in Calgary, was previously owned by Ken Friesen.
“We are excited to be expanding our presence in the Calgary region, a large market with a population of approximately 1.5 million,” said Eric Danberg, President of the Boyd Autobody & Glass operations. “Our new locations will complement our five other centres in the Calgary area and provide us with 16 locations in Alberta to better serve our customers and insurance partners.”
The Boyd Group, headquartered in Winnipeg, routinely releases announcements of acquisitions made in the US, but it’s a relative rarity for the company to acquire Canadian shops. In May of 2017, Collision Repair magazine reported on the blockbuster deal that saw Boyd Group acquire Ontario mega-chain Assured Automotive. Assured Automotive has 68 locations, giving Boyd Group a significant presence in a province where the company previously had only one facility.
The Concours deal isn’t of the same scope, but the influence of the facilities, and their owner, on the Canadian collision repair landscape can’t be denied. The first Concours Collision location opened its doors in 1981. Since then the facilities have racked up an impressive list of achievements, leading to Friesen being widely recognized as an industry innovator. He was a founding father of the Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF), as well as its first Chairman, and is considered an innovator in lean strategies. In fact, Concours Collision is typically recognized as the first Canadian shop to have implemented lean.
The official announcement from Boyd Group notes that Friesen and his team will remain with the company.
“Ken Friesen and his management team will be remaining as part of this expansion, and we look forward to our expanded Calgary footprint enabling us to better deliver the professional and friendly service that Boyd and Concours have been known for,” said Danberg.
For more information, please visit boydgroup.com.
