MEMPHIS, Tenn. — PPG distributor and Collision Equipment Group (CEG) founding member Tasco Auto Color has announced the acquisition of CEG as a strategic move to accommodate CEG’s rapid growth.
CEG and Tasco will expand their exclusive distribution agreement with Spanesi, S.p.A to include a broader range of Spanesi products and even closer ties to the Italian manufacturer of body shop repair equipment including benches, lifts and the Touch computerized electronic measuring system. Tasco says that Touch sales in the United States and Canada have established CEG and Spanesi, a leading supplier to the European body shops, as companies that are greatly contributing to shop efficiency and profitability.
"Our enthusiasm about CEG’s growth and our strong relationship with them will benefit from Tasco’s purchase of the business," said Orazio Spanesi, president and founder of Spanesi, who was at the new CEG headquarters in Houston recently to discuss the products that will soon be offered in the United States and Canada.
The Tasco family of companies, established in 1953, includes a paint distribution business, equipment business, marketing company that provides services for body shops and a property development firm. Tasco was the PPG Platinum Distributor of the Year in 2005 and the 3M Platinum Distributor of the Year in 2006.
CEG was founded in 2003 by 13 of the pre-eminent Blackhawk, Kansas, Jack and Shark independent distributors and the former president of the Hein-Werner Collision Group that operated those companies prior to their sale to Snap-on Tool.
The rapid growth of CEG called for a more centralized management and stronger support logistics available from Tasco. This acquisition positions the original owners to better focus on sales, service and introduction of new Spanesi and CEG products as well as provides manufacturers with instant distribution solutions throughout North America.
Fred Nicholson, former general manager of Garmat and longtime national account executive at Blackhawk, will continue as vice president of sales for the company with an immediate focus on adding additional distribution and working closely with dealer equipment organizations.
