About less than half of the aftermarket auto repair shops across the U.S. and Canada are taking advantage of workflow software to help run their businesses more efficiently. Whenever there are growth opportunities in a certain sector, especially when it comes to digital transformation, investors will come knocking.

“Like any other industry, auto repair professionals can make their business more efficient and profitable by utilizing technology to save time, automate tasks, streamline processes, engage customers, and spur sales, such as with embedded finance,” Vehlo CEO Michelle Fischer tells Mergers & Acquisitions. “Auto repair shops represent the majority of Vehlo’s customers, many of which are small operators and former mechanics who tend to tread lightly in adopting new software. The rise in customer demand for text communication and digital payments, as well as the convenience provided by cloud-based systems, has hastened the transformation.”

Greater Sum Ventures recently acquired a majority stake in Vehlo, which offers software to the auto repair industry. Since Vehlo was formed in 2019, the company has completed fourteen acquisitions.

Vehlo and its backers are continuing to seek acquisitions in the auto space, says Fischer, including in subsectors related to heavy equipment, lawn, powersports, marine, RV and heavy trucks.

Technology and digital transformation is changing the way most sectors conduct business and the auto industry is no exception.

– Demitri Diakantonis