Steer Automotive buys Apollo and Balgores bodyshops

Fast expanding Steer Automotive Group has acquired Apollo Motor Group and Balgores Motors.

The two businesses’ 32 repair outlets employ 700 staff in the south of England, generating £90m turnover.

Apollo Motor Group was founded in 1985 by Graham and Tracy Eyles. It has 20 sites in the South East and South West of England.

Balgores Motors was founded in 1982 by owner Paul Austin. It now has 12 sites specialising in premium brands.

“We have a clear focus on acquiring strong well established businesses that support our growth strategy and when the opportunity presented itself we jumped at the chance to add Apollo and Balgores to our operations,” said  Richard Steer, chief executive.

The acquisitions take the existing Steer portfolio to 93 repair locations and 2,200 staff.

Steer Automotive has been expanding organically and by acquisition. In October last year it opened a Steer Prestige 28,000 sq. ft bodyshop in High Wycombe.

In July it acquired AW Accident Repair Centres’ outlets in the East Midlands, including Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Derbyshire

And in April last year it bought the £30m-turnover Artis Accident Repair bodyshop business’ 11 outlets located around the M25.

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