DALLAS -

America’s Auto Auction is growing again with its second major acquisition announcement so far this year. The company added two more auction locations:  West Michigan Auto Auction in Wayland, Mich., and Interstate 94 Vehicle Auction in Parma, Mich.

Both facilities were sold to America’s Auto Auction by Carl Miskotten, who will stay on as general manager of the two facilities, according to a news release sent to Auto Remarketing late on Wednesday.

Ben Lange, president and chief executive officer of America's Auto Auction, indicated the official date of the acquisition was April 1. The company emphasized this move solidifies its position as the third-largest and fastest-growing auto auction company in the U.S., now with 21 locations. 

Back in January, America’s Auto Auction acquired seven auctions from the Auction Broadcasting Co. Owned by management and private equity firm Trinity Hunt Partners, America’s Auto Auction has rapidly grown into one of the industry’s leaders since its launch in 2006 with four auction facilities.

“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,” Lange said.  “But even more important to us than the auction facilities, 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 customer,” Lange continued.

Lange went on to express his high regard for Miskotten, a veteran of the auction industry who is known for his pioneering efforts in developing 14 green field sites since his first foray into the business in 1984 when he and Chuck Frauhiger founded Fort Wayne Vehicle Auction.

Miskotten worked for Anglo American Auctions (later ADT Auctions) in charge of specialty auctions and helped expand the location map for ADESA before it became a publicly held company, adding locations in New Jersey, North Carolina, Florida, Massachusetts, and Montreal in the early 1990s.

After buying West Michigan Auto Auction in 1997 with Trent Knox, Miskotten joined forces with Mike Hockett to start Auction Broadcasting Co., working with him to develop six auction facilities and implement ground-breaking technology, including the Online Ringman Simulcast technology.

“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,” Miskotten said. 

“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,” he went on to say.

Miskotten has operated the I-94 Vehicle Auction since 2007.  Serving the market area of Lansing, Jackson, Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, the I-94 Vehicle Auction holds a sale on four lanes every Wednesday, running an average of 450 dealer trades and credit union repos each week.

The West Michigan AA has operated under Miskotten’s guidance since 1997.  It became an ABC Auction three years later, but was purchased again by Miskotten in 2008. With an average weekly consignment of 1,300 vehicles, West Michigan AA welcomes up to 1,000 dealers to the auction lanes every Friday. 

Last year, West Michigan AA was singled out as the NAAA Auction of the Year, an honor that Miskotten attributes to the extraordinary efforts and dedication of the auction’s employees.

“We are building a great company in a great industry and are excited to include Western Michigan Auto Auction and I-94 Vehicle Auction,” Lange said.

“Success in our business is all about the team, our employees, our people,” he added. “As our team grows, we pledge to demonstrate the best service and support to all those who work so hard at the auction level, knowing that they will in turn provide the best service to our auction customers.”

Additional information on all of the America’s Auto Auction facilities can be found at www.americasautoauction.com. Lange can be reached at (214) 736-7901 or ben.lange@americasautoauction.com.