IRS GROUP PURCHASES AUTOPTIK IN FRANCONIA
Since 01.04.2021 AutOptik has been part of the IRS Group. AutOptik is a young company for vehicle preparation, spot repair, dent removal, paint sealing and leather repair with three locations in Franconia. Car enthusiast Roman Gerstner started AutOptik as a garage business in his early 20s. His view of vehicle services was holistic from the start. In addition to exterior and interior vehicle preparation, his team also removes dents and paint damage from customers’ vehicles, thus offering everything from a single source to restore a vehicle to its full glory. The company has 35 employees at its three locations in Bayreuth, Hof and Bamberg. A further location in Coburg is to be opened soon.
Important and a great added value for IRS, besides the additional capacity, is above all the innovative spirit that Roman Gerstner brings with him, as well as AutOptik’s holistic view of vehicle services. For example, the company works with its own app, which guarantees car dealership customers full transparency on the status of their vehicles at all times. And Gerstner is also constantly developing its range of services. For example, as a conclusion of a vehicle treatment, AutOptik also offers professional photography for the marketing of vehicles.
“With the strong IRS in the background and as part of the smart repair market leader Dent Wizard, we will be able to roll out our young location concept faster than we would have been able to on our own. I’m looking forward to that.” Roman Gerstner explains the motivation for the sale. And Uwe Artz, Managing Director and COO of the Smart Repair & Hail division in IRS Holding adds: “The young team around Roman Gerstner brings valuable impulses with innovative ideas and a fresh appearance, from which we will benefit in IRS.”
The IRS Group now has more than 150 locations and more than 2,200 employees in Germany and Europe. This makes the group a European leader in the areas of Smart Repair, bodywork, and paint repairs, as well as hail damage repair of vehicle exteriors.
Sancovia initiated the transaction and advised the buyer as exclusive M&A advisor throughout the process.
