Collision company changes hands

Mark Campbell sits in his Wayside Collision Center office and reflects on what his late mother, Sarah, would have said about her son’s decision to sell the family-owned business.

And he smiles.

“I think she would be happy,” Campbell said. “Her philosophy would be, ‘Times have changed, and you need to change with those times.’ We’ll be able to continue to provide quality collision repair in the Dayton region for years to come.”

The acquisition of Campbell's two Wayside Collision Centers by Gerber Collision & Glass was recently finalized. Details of the sale were not made available.

The company has been at its current location, 6000 Executive Blvd., in Huber Heights since 1980, and opened its Moraine store in 1995 at 2645 W. Alex Bell Road. Wayside sold its Beavercreek store in 2005 after two years there.

The Moraine location has earned the I-Car organization’s Gold Class status for 20 years straight; the Huber Heights store for 19 years running. Wayside repairs more than 3,000 cars total per year, Campbell said.

“We’re not just purchasing any other collision center,” said Ryan Trejo, a market manager for Gerber. “We’re purchasing a collision center with a good reputation and a quality operation. It aligns perfectly with what we’re looking for.”

Wayside Collision was started by Henry and Sarah Campbell in 1967. They took over a vacant building near the Brandt Pike/Taylorsville Road intersection that had been home to the Wayside movie theater — thus where the body shop’s name came from.

Campbell, a Huber Heights Councilman, has worked for Wayside the last 39 years. He was part-owner from 1990-96, before taking full ownership of the business. His title with Gerber will be business development/sales manager.

A total of 25 employees work at the two stores and will be retained.

“I’ve always wanted to grow the Dayton market with the philosophy, ‘Dayton’s leader in quality collision repair,’” said Campbell, 57. “Now with this partnership, we’ll be able to dominate the Dayton market. Other than the brand name change, the philosophy, corporate culture and every bit of the customer experience should remain the same.”

Chicago-based Gerber Collision & Glass was founded in 1937 by Phil Gerber. It has more than 300 locations total, in 19 states and Canada.

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