MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis-based ABRA Auto Body & Glass is celebrating 25 years as a national leader in the damaged vehicle repair industry. In June 1984, Rollie Benjamin, ABRA’s president and CEO, co-founded ABRA’s first repair center in Fridley, Minn., in an upscale, commercial development. The almost immediate validation of the business format created growth opportunities that led to the opening of a second repair center only eight months later, and established the model for further expansion of the ABRA Auto Body & Glass system.

Tim Adelmann, ABRA’s executive vice president of business development, joined the company in 1985 as general manager of the second repair center, and became a partner in ABRA. Things moved quickly thereafter, and in 1987 ABRA launched a franchise program to promote accelerated growth. After two-and-a-half decades, ABRA now operates 73 corporate repair centers and 23 franchised centers in 11 states and six major markets.

As ABRA continued its growth, the company didn’t lose sight of its most valuable asset: its team members, according to Benjamin. “At ABRA, our three strategic initiatives include recruiting and retaining talent, franchise growth and operational excellence. I believe hiring and keeping the best people is absolutely number-one,” he said.

Adelmann added to Benjamin’s statement, “When the day is done, ABRA isn’t about paint booths or buildings or frame equipment. Over the years our commitment to our team members has not only remained the same, but has actually become stronger. We want ABRA to be the ‘employer of choice’ in the collision repair industry.”

“I’m proud to say that our 25-year success story is directly attributable to the dedication and hard work of our team of professionals,” Benjamin continued. “We are moving forward with the best team in the industry, and look forward to continued success in the next 25 years.”