Steer Automotive Group has announced the acquisition of all 12 AW Accident Repair Centres – bringing Steer Group to 55 sites with 1,000 staff and the capability to repair 85,000 vehicles a year.
The rapidly expanding group’s chief executive, Richard Steer, said in a statement: “Our strategic focus remains on successfully operated and established regional businesses which grow our reach and further increases our repair capacity.
“AW Repair Group has invested heavily across its whole estate, achieving key manufacturer approvals and insurance company relationships. They have also made significant investments in their people with a clear focus on bringing forward a new generation of talent through their Training and Apprentice Academy,” he added.
Originally founded in 1998 by CEO Andrew Walsh, AW Repair Group has grown to become one of the UK’s leading accident repair groups, winning multiple awards and gaining recognition for the quality of its work, outstanding customer service and adoption of new standards to meet the changing landscape of the vehicle repair sector. The business, which operates throughout the east Midlands, has more than 200 staff.
In addition, AW Repair is recognised for pioneering sustainability throughout its repair process and was among the first of the big groups to achieve PAS2060 Carbon Neutral Standard across all its locations. AW was also an early adopter of the EV repair capacity with every one of its staff receiving EV Ready training.
Steer continued: “I would personally like to thank Andrew and Emma Walsh for entrusting us with the next chapter in the history of their excellent organisation. We are genuinely delighted to welcome the AW team to the Steer family.”
The AW Repair team will remain in place across the business to continue the management of AW Repair Group within the Steer Group. Andrew Walsh will continue to push forward his passionate commitment to key sustainability and ESG programmes within a consultancy role.
