In partnering with Fix Network, the Rosanova family collision repair business has grown into a formidable MSO.

In 1974, Otto Rosanova opened his first body shop in Edmonton, Alberta. Five decades and three generations later, that business has become a thriving MSO, with locations across the Edmonton Area. Otto’s son Albert and grandson Mike, oversee a business that operates five collision centres and three complimentary auto service facilities, collectively employing 110 people in the Edmonton community including technicians, painters, estimators, production managers, customer service representatives, parts coordinators and administrative staff (Mike’s brother, Max, is Journeyman Collision Repair Technician who works at the North Edmonton location).

Mike Rosanova says that he grew up around the collision centres his grandfather and father operated and later got involved on the operations side. “My father [Albert] helped grow the business and steered into the modern era,” says Mike. “As I got more involved with the operations of the business, I took on a larger leadership role and today, oversee both operations and growth of our locations. It’s been very rewarding to be able to build upon the foundation begun with the previous generations of our family.”

Joining a network
As Albert took over and modernized and grew the business, he realized that the future lay in becoming part of a collision repair network, especially as consolidation began to happen across Canada and insurers increasingly looked to larger operators for establishing high volume claims and DRP repair work. For the Rosanova family, the future lay in joining a franchise repair network, and through industry relationships came across the team at Fix Network.

“As our business continued to grow, we were looking for a partner that had a solid reputation and strong ensurer relationships, as well as a clear framework when it came to how franchisees operated within the network.” Rosanova says that Fix Network stood out because of its professionalism, the support structure it provides for its franchisees and a clear commitment to maintaining a higher level of repair standards.

The original foundation, built by my grandfather and carried forward by my father, still guides how we approach the business today. We’re really proud of what we’ve built and are excited about where we’re going, especially with Fix Network right alongside us. – Mike Rosanova, Fix Auto Edmonton West

For a multi-shop operation, consistency is everything, and the strong, established systems and procedures that Fix Network had in place, along with robust training and operational guidance made it a highly suitable fit for the Rosanovas. “We really have to credit the Fix Network team for helping us stay ahead of the curve.  On the training side, Jeff Francis has been a huge help to us, and the ability to collaborate with other franchisees within Fix Network has been very beneficial.”

Tremendous value
Mike explains that this collaboration and being able to share ideas and learn from other locations facing similar challenges, has delivered tremendous value for the Rosanova MSO operation. Not only does this type of collaboration strengthen individual operators, it also bolsters the entire network and by extension the collision repair industry.

As a MSO, focusing on standardized processes and procedures across all locations is paramount, and Mike says that each collision centre can handle a full scope of collision repair services. This includes structural repairs, aluminum repairs, OEM certified repair as well as advanced technology repairs and refinishing. “Each location is essentially standardized,” explains Rosanova. “It is laid out in a similar fashion with the same equipment and the staff are trained to perform the same high quality repairs and maintain strong, personal relationships with our customers.

The facility chosen for our photo shoot for this edition of Autosphere, Fix Auto Edmonton West, covers approximately 20,000 square feet. Like the other locations it features a drive in and dedicated appraisal bays, with specific production areas that include advanced frame and measuring equipment. “We have modern paint booth/spray systems at each location and specialized tools for OEM repairs,” Rosanova explains.

Increasingly advanced
He notes that as the business has grown, it has focused on investing in its people, equipment and technology to ensure each location is fully equipped to repair today’s increasingly advanced vehicles. Mike believes this is essential if collision repairers are to stay ahead of the curve in a fast-changing industry. “Vehicles are becoming ever more advanced, so we need to continuously make those investments,” he says. On the flip side, Rosanova also acknowledges that while technology and repair techniques continue to advance, and it’s necessary to keep up, a big part to long-term business success boils down to the fundamentals.

“Having the right people in place, along with strong process and a consistent commitment to quality is important, without that, we cannot be successful,” he says.

As the business looks to the future, Mike says the goal is to continue strengthening each of the existing locations within the group, while at the same time exploring what he terms “thoughtful” growth opportunities.

Critical to growth and success
“Working alongside Fix Network has been a critical part of our journey in terms of success and growth,” he says, and we look forward to continuing to build upon what we have and having a strong partner like Fix Network to help us continue that journey.”

While prospects for the future look exciting, and it’s been an incredible journey for the Rosanova family since Otto opened that very first collision centre back in 1974, Mike says that despite all the success, what matters most is that the business is still strongly rooted in solid family values, even though it has grown into a multi location operation. “The original foundation, built by my grandfather and carried forward by my father, still guides how we approach the business today. We’re really proud of what we’ve built and are excited about where we’re going, especially with Fix Network right alongside us.”