Augusta-based truck and trailer service company Matthew Motors has acquired Venture Auto Sales, it announced Monday.
The acquisition joins two long-standing family-owned businesses. Bob Matthews started Matthew Motors as FleetCare in 1991, while Venture Auto launched in 1997.
Matthews will have a complete range of sales of light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks, and will keep all of Venture’s employees to expand its preowned automotive division.
“Growth through acquisition is a relatively new strategy for Matthews, as this is our second acquisition this year,” said CFO Aaron Matthews. “We are extremely careful to make sure any addition to our team is both a cultural and a strategic fit. We found this special fit with Venture.”
The auto service company has gathered a robust portfolio over the course of the year in a pattern of overall expansion that began with its automotive and body service last fall. In April of this year, Matthews Motors acquired Padgett Truck Bodies in Graniteville, converting it into Matthews Truck Bodies. Now, Matthews can sell and install various truck bodies—from utility bodies to gooseneck trailers and flatbeds—that it also services.
Then in August, business entered an agreement to be the distributor of the ProView line of garbage trucks, produced by UK-based truck manufacturer Dennis Eagle. The ProView trucks are manufactured at Dennis Eagle’s North American headquarters in in Summerville, S.C.
“The trucking industry is facing unprecedented changes, and we need to adapt to those changes,” said CEO Austin Matthews. “This acquisition is part of our company’s strategy to position us for future growth and expansion throughout the southeast United States.”
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
