Gregg Kobel Joins Mishawaka AA in Indiana

By Richard Greene, AR NewsMagazine Editor
January 24, 2008

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MISHAWAKA, Ind. — Just like an owner of a professional ball team tracks and lands a talented player out on the free-agent market, auction owner Jay Smith pursued and signed industry veteran Gregg Kobel to join his executive team at Mishawaka Auto Auction, whose name will soon change to South Bend Mishawaka Auto Auction

Kobel divested his interest in the Tri-State Auto Auction of Chicago late last year and recently announced that he was partnering with Smith, who has owned the independent auction since 1985. Kobel will serve as its executive vice president and general manager.

Smith was at one time looking to turn the Mishawaka AA's leadership reins over to his stepson, Joshua, but he was tragically killed in an automobile accident on Dec. 7, 2002, five months after Smith had moved the operation into a new facility.

The 67-year-old Smith has two other sons, but he said they are successfully employed as a police officer and school teacher.

"So, as you can imagine, I've been looking for the past few years for somebody of Gregg's experience and stature to help take the auction to the next level," Smith told Auto Remarketing.

"When I heard Gregg was available, I thought this was a perfect opportunity and the best person for our auction," Smith pointed out.

"We did a lot of dating before we started dancing," he said, laughing.

"But seriously, we could not be more pleased, and we are tremendously excited to bring on board somebody who has so much knowledge and the wealth of contacts built up over years who can help make our sale one of the premier auto auctions in the Midwest," Smith indicated.

Kobel, who has 37 years of experience in the auction industry and is past president of the National Auto Auction Association, also expressed enthusiasm about his new venture. "I've known Jay for quite a while, and he has done a wonderful job in building a very, very strong foundation here," he noted.

"He's developed a fantastic team of people, and he's got a beautiful facility," Kobel added.

"But we agree that it's underutilized and there's plenty of room for growth," he continued. "Jay has an extremely faithful dealer-customer base, so I think we can now increase our bank and fleet/lease operation. So we anticipate a great year in 2008."

Mishawaka lies in the shadows of South Bend, nestled along the winding path of the St. Joseph River. Its population hovers around the 50,000 mark.

Don and Evelyn Campbell started the auction in 1955. They sold it to Ken and Martha Jacobs 25 years later. Smith purchased the 4.5-acre, two-lane sale in June 1985.

Soon thereafter, Smith purchased an available piece of nearby property and moved the operation across the street. "There was a golf school and driving range on the property, which we dismantled and moved in the auction operation," he pointed out.

According to Smith, the sale will soon change its name to South Bend Mishawaka Auto Auction to reflect the fast-paced changes taking place at the operation and to give dealers and consignors a more accurate understanding of its Midwest location.

Today, the six-lane auction sits on a 52-acre lot, and the sale has a 44,000-square-foot facility that serves some 500 dealers at its weekly Wednesday sale. On average, 500 vehicles are offered each week, with dealers primarily traveling from Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Illinois but also as far away as Texas and Mexico.

According to Smith, the auction sports an automatic car wash, reconditioning facility, body shop, mechanical services and plenty of space for dealer and transport parking. It also features an enclosed bar-coded check-in and state-of-the-art auction systems, as well as "great food" at the Pedal Car Café.

"We have spared no expense in ensuring that all of our facilities meet or exceed industry standards, and we're proud of the reputation we have earned among our customers," Smith noted.

Smith attributes his success to a faithful group of dealers. "They've been loyal and supported us over the past 23 years," he said.

"But though we're well known to them, I believe overall we've been a well-kept secret here in Indiana, but all that's about to change," Smith noted.

Kobel quickly agreed. "Mishawaka is a fantastic, well-respected operation. We've set our sights on doubling our run numbers in short order, increasing our weekly attendance and securing some national fleet/lease business for this important sale," he explained.

An owner of a Chicago area auto auction for about 10 years, Kobel said he wants to bring his big-city ingenuity and practices to his new auction home but still preserve Mishawaka's "hometown" atmosphere.

"We look forward to growing our consignor and dealer base, but Jay has cautioned me never to move away form the small-town friendliness and attention to customer service that has made this operation what it is today," Kobel said.

Smith added, "I know there's news of a lot of negativity out there about the car business. But, no matter what, people are going to buy cars. So, if you've got the right car, and it's clean with low mileage, there's always a good market for a good used car.

"So our clientele are excited about the possibility of meeting some new dealers here in the months ahead," he concluded. "They can't wait to see new faces, new business and new accounts. We're all looking forward to new opportunities in a new year."

Auction/Wholesale