Authentic Auto Body Acquires APC Auto Body to Launch First Family-Run MSO
by Alana Quartuccio
Authentic Auto Body owners Steve and Gabrielle Proia believe strongly in delivering nothing less than quality, integrity and customer care.
That passion is instilled in everything they have done with their body shop business since they opened its doors in 2016.
Now, they have strengthened Authentic Auto Body’s (Holliston) position in the auto body repair industry further with the acquisition of APC Auto Body (Dartmouth), a shop that has been a leading name in precision auto body repairs and exceptional customer service. Sharing strong family values and a commitment to quality were just some of the reasons the Proia family felt APC Auto Body, along with its stellar reputation, loyal employee and customer base, was such a good match.
“With the growing demand for high-quality collision repair services, this acquisition allows us to combine resources, expertise and technology to better serve our customers,” states Steve Proia, president of Authentic Auto Body. “APC Auto Body’s strong foundation and talented team make this partnership a seamless fit.”
“This acquisition represents more than a business decision – it’s a commitment to continuing the legacy of excellence that both Authentic Auto Body and APC Auto Body have upheld,” adds Gabrielle Proia, co-owner of Authentic Auto Body. “Together, we are creating the first family-run MSO that prioritizes quality, integrity and customer care.”
Proia first got his hand in the collision repair world when he was 13 years old. He started sweeping floors and worked his way through each and every position into management. He obtained his appraisal license and managed a few shops before he and his wife decided to take a leap of faith, purchasing a small shop manned by one person which they turned into the successful business it is today – a family-run premier shop specializing in OEM-certified repairs committed to delivering top-quality collision repairs, exceptional customer service and unmatched craftsmanship.
Proia reflects on their humble beginnings. “The former shop owner was probably doing about two or three cars a week and roughly $100,000 in annual sales. Believe it or not, our plan was to just try to double that amount. When we were closing on the business, we had about seven cars in the lot. In our first month, we did close to $100,000 in sales. We realized we were on to something, and we grew from there.”
Within two years, Authentic Auto Body blossomed from a small 4,000 square foot shop into a new, 14,000-square-foot building with a team of 12 employees.
The Proias remained open to further growth opportunities and began to explore strategic options. This led to an introduction to their financial partner, Patrick Keefe, managing partner of Envest Capital.
Keefe recognized Steve’s entrepreneurial spirit and the opportunity he saw in the business and the Massachusetts market.
“We are thrilled to support Authentic Auto Body in this strategic acquisition of APC Auto Body,” shares Keefe. “Both companies share a deep commitment to quality, integrity and customer satisfaction – values that define a true family-run business. While we might help financially, Steve and Gabrielle are truly the brains behind the operation. Their vision, dedication and leadership drive this organization forward, and we stand behind them with full support as they continue to grow their family-built business. This acquisition not only strengthens Authentic Auto Body’s market position but also preserves the legacy of excellence that APC Auto Body has built over the years. We are excited to be part of this journey and look forward to seeing their continued success.”
APC Auto Body will maintain its current name and brand as Steve believes it’s critically important to maintain the brand and the legacy of the company that its former owners spent decades building.
Al and Lisa Correia, former owners of APC Auto Body, shared their thoughts on the acquisition.
“After years of building APC Auto Body into a trusted name in the community, we are confident that Authentic Auto Body is the perfect partner to carry on our legacy. This transition is bittersweet, but we take comfort in knowing that the values we’ve upheld – quality craftsmanship, exceptional customer service and integrity – will remain at the forefront. Steve and Gabrielle’s leadership and vision align perfectly with what we’ve built, and we’re excited to see how they will continue to grow and elevate the business. We are grateful to our loyal customers and employees who have been a part of this journey and look forward to seeing the next chapter for APC Auto Body under their care.”
Both Authentic Auto Body and APC Auto Body are longtime members of AASP/MA, and Steve intends for it to stay that way. Being part of the association helps them stay in touch with industry members in the community, learn about what is currently taking place, what the goals are and how shops can work as a community to get there. Steve commended AASP/MA for the work they’ve been doing to push for labor reimbursement rate increases, but he knows there is much more still to come and is excited to be a part of it.
Want more? Check out the March 2025 issue of New England Automotive Report!