America's Auto Auction Acquires Michigan Auctions

America’s Auto Auction is continuing on its acquisition spree with the acquisition of two new auctions: West Michigan Auto Auction and Interstate 94 Vehicle Auction, according to a company announcement.

The auctions were sold by industry veteran Carl Miskotten, who will be staying on as general manager of both auctions.

According to a company press release, the official date of the acquisition was April 1, 2017. 

“We are very pleased to expand our regional base into the upper Midwest with the addition of the West Michigan and I-94 Auto Auctions,” said Ben Lange, president and CEO of America's Auto Auction. “But even more important to us than the real estate are the two tremendous groups of auction employees who will be joining the America’s Auto Auction team. Led by industry veteran Carl Miskotten, the staff members at both locations are all experienced, dedicated auction professionals who not only operate two award winning auction facilities, but have also nurtured strong, unwavering relationships with their customers.”

Interstate 94 Vehicle Auction, located in Parma, Mich., offers new car trades, used car consignments and off-lease or repossessed institutional vehicles every Wednesday. West Michigan Auto Auction spans over 86 acres and runs 10 lanes every Friday. Every week, the auction consigns over 1,000 cars and has over 900 dealers in attendance.

These two auctions are the most recent in a run of acquisitions by America’s Auto Auction. Earlier this year, in January, America’s Auto Auction acquired Auction Broadcasting Company’s (ABC) portfolio of auctions, which included seven locations throughout the Midwest and East Coast.

Combined with these two most recent acquisitions, America’s Auto Auction has acquired 9 auctions in the past four months.

One of the recent acquisitions — West Michigan Auto Auction — has a long history with the previously acquired ABC.

In 1996, Mark Campbell founded the West Michigan Auto Auction. One year later, Miskotten, who will now serve as general manager of West Michigan Auto Auction and Interstate 94 Vehicle Auction, bought into the business, according to Grand Rapids Business Journal.

Four years later, in 2000, ABC bought its way into West Michigan Auction when Campbell sold the interest he had in the business. For the next eight years, the auction operated as ABC West Michigan. Then, in January 2008, ABC sold its interest in the business back to Mark Cambell, Carl Miskotten and Dan DeVos.  This most recent acquisition brings West Michigan Auto Auction, Miskotten, and ABC back together under one company.

“I have been very blessed since the beginning of my auction career, and I am excited about the future with America’s Auto Auction, both for myself and for the great people I work with at the West Michigan and I-94 auctions,” said Miskotten.  “Being part of America’s Auto Auction will be a phenomenal benefit to all of us, allowing us to draw on the company’s influence and resources while maintaining the personality and distinction that we’ve worked so hard to develop at both locations.”

Editor's note: This story was updated with additional information on April 10.