Spanesi Americas, a leader in body shop technology, has announced that Steve Smith from Plant City Florida and his staff are joining the Spanesi Distribution Network. Smith has been selling, servicing and training collision repair shops on structural repair equipment and welders in the Florida and Caribbean markets for close to 40 years. Smith and his group will operate under the new name of Automotive Collision Equipment of Florida (ACE).

“I have had a long friendship with Steve for more than 19 years, and have seen his dedication to the customer and industry when we worked together for almost 15 years,” said Timothy Morgan, managing director of Spanesi Americas. “He fits into our values of dedication to customer service and support. I myself have learned from Steve and his knowledge of repairs and the customer experience.”

Smith joins the Spanesi distribution network that has included his son Tony in Atlanta, since 2013. This expands the Smiths’ area to cover the complete Southeastern Region.

“I have been looking at equipment my whole lifetime and keeping up with industry repair trends, Spanesi’s dedication to correct repairs, equipment, training and the overall customer experience is a good fit for today and the future. I had the opportunity to visit the factory in Italy, and the facility, process and people are amazing. I am proud to be able to bring the complete Spanesi line to my customers and territory. And, I am looking forward to being a single-source supplier for measuring systems, benches, welders and spraybooths. Spanesi has it all,” Smith added.

Smith and ACE already have a complete warehouse and training center in Plant City, Florida, which has been in transition to become the SPANESI Southeastern Region Training Center. In addition, branch offices have been established to complete the group’s network.