VIP Acquires Center Automotive in Needham, MA

VIP continuing aggressive growth and now operating 11 stores in Massachusetts and 73 across New England

VIP Tires & Service is excited to announce that it has acquired Center Automotive in Needham, Massachusetts. The acquisition ensures that Center Automotive will continue under VIP’s ownership, effective October 1, 2024. The store will be co-branded, retaining Center Automotive in its name for several years before switching to VIP branding.

Center Automotive is a 15,000-square-foot facility with 14 service bays in the Needham Center area and has become the highest-rated, busiest automotive service provider in Needham. Every employee of Center Automotive has been hired by VIP Tires & Service in similar or expanding roles with opportunities to learn and thrive along the VIP career path. VIP Tires & Service will honor all Center Automotive customer warranties at all 73 VIP locations across New England.

“We are thrilled to expand our operations in Massachusetts, building on the strong legacy of customer service that has endured at Center Automotive for decades,” said John Quirk, owner and Executive Chairman of VIP. “Our goal is to help the Center Automotive team through our ongoing commitment to industry-leading education and new state of the art equipment and technology”

Quirk and Tim Winkeler, VIP’s President & CEO, had been in conversations with the owners of Center Automotive, Jim O’Brien and Paul Gardner, for almost five years as they worked out their business exit plan. O’Brien and Gardner vetted several other potential acquirers but chose VIP based on their commitment to exceptional service and VIP’s experience working with family-owned businesses to preserve strong community and customer relationships through the acquisition process and beyond. Based on the family’s 98-year history in the tire and automotive industry, Quirk understands that an acquisition has to be a win-win for both parties. VIP currently has several other acquisition discussions underway.