Manheim Statesville hosted a drive-through vaccination clinic for the Iredell County, N.C. Health Department on March 14, with 1,197 people receiving the one-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
The auction provided 20 of its employees to support the event. Because its parking lot can accommodate hundreds of vehicles, Manheim Statesville was able to support the Iredell County Health Department in the community effort.
That space was important as Iredell County Health Department director Jane Hinson said finding adequate space to administer the shots — not inadequate vaccine supply — is one of the county’s main challenges in its fight against COVID-19.
“When the Iredell County Health Department approached us about hosting this drive-through clinic, we immediately wanted to help,” Manheim Statesville general manager Mandy Savage said in a news release.
The event took place nearly one year after the first COVID-19 case was reported in Iredell County.
Savage also said giving back to the communities where Manheim team members live and work is one of Manheim’s core values.
“I am so proud of our team and the overwhelmingly positive feedback we received from the county and members of the community,” Savage said.
As business for ServNet Auctions has continued during the turmoil and made necessary adjustments because of the COVID pandemic, the group says its auctions have also carried on in their support of their communities.
That includes holding charity events that have raised thousands of dollars to assist people in need.
ServNet says that the pandemic caused ServNet group auctions to make adjustments so they could continue serving their customers in the business of buying and selling vehicles.
“Auctions navigating the ‘new normal’ have had to limit their in-person interactions with customers while offering digital events to an ever-increasing audience of buyers online,” ServNet wrote in a news release.
But ServNet president Bruce Beam said that the group’s independent owners honor the personal stake they have in their businesses. Their success depends on real people, he said.
“I am proud to note that as ServNet auctions continue to serve their customers in these challenging times, they are also committed to serving and supporting their communities,” Beam said.
He continued, “In spite of the uncertainties, ServNet isn't stepping back, and is, in fact, giving back through charity events that are taking place at our auctions across the country."
One example of that is that Carolina and Indiana Auto Auctions hosted live charity events this past fall. Those events raised funds toward cancer research.
Indiana’s event featured guest speaker “Rudy” Ruettiger and raised funds for the Cancer Services of NE Indiana. Guests were hosted by Sweetwater Sound in Fort Wayne, Ind., a music hall that gifted the conference room. Ruth's Chris restaurant in Fort Wayne served a filet mignon dinner to attendees.
That was Indiana’s first charity event, and it plans a second one for September 2021. In its first year, Indiana Auto Auction raised $25,000 for the Cancer Services of NE Indiana.
Another charitable event took place in October as sister facility Carolina Auto Auction hosted its 3rd Annual Legacy Dinner & VIP Charity Auction event. The three-day event also included the auction’s 15th annual charity golf tournament and a Purple Ribbon Car Sale. The auction raised $150,000 for the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University for melanoma research.
On Oct. 12, Carolina’s event began with the Legacy Gala and VIP Charity Auction and included guest speaker Jase Robertson from Duck Dynasty. More than 90 live and silent auction items helped raise money. A duck call contest also raised funds, with Robertson judging the final round. The event took place at the Bleckley Station in downtown Anderson, S.C., and ServNet said the venue offered adequate space for several hundred people to enjoy the event and follow social distancing.
The 15th annual Tee Off Against Cancer Golf Tournament took place the following morning at Cobbs Glen Country Club in Anderson, S.C. The four-man Captain’s Choice tournament included a steak sandwich lunch for attendees. For participants in the golf's raffle for charity, Carolina had unique items available to win after the golf tournament. The auction offered cash prizes during the event, including four prize holes in addition to two hole-in-one contests in which players can attempt to win $25,000 in cash and a new car, along with $2,000 in cash prizes.
Carolina Auto Auction held a third charity raffle in conjunction with the tournament that ran several weeks leading up to the Oct. 14 giveaway during the Charity Car Sale. The car sale featured more than 1,000 units, and a portion of the buy/sell fee proceeds went toward the fundraising efforts.
Both locations already plan to host live charity events in 2021. Joe Theismann is the planned speaker at both locations.
Carolina and Indiana Auto Auctions are part of the Stanley-Autenrieth Auction Group, and are members of ServNet.
In other news, Akron Auto Auction raised funds for breast cancer treatment. The auction and its dealers worked together during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness month to fight against breast cancer.
Leading up to the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Sale, Akron Auto Auction sold Under Armour Hoodies with the AAA logo. The auction sold additional merchandise such as long sleeved T-shirts and pink mesh baseball hats to promote the cause. Pink Breast Cancer Awareness face masks were unique to this year’s campaign. The masks were passed out to donors to wear during the month.
Dealers also pledged a dollar amount per vehicle they bought or sold during the sale, donated a vehicle to run, or made a flat donation.
The Breast Cancer Awareness sale resulted in more than 1,100 vehicles ran and was one of Akron’s largest of the year. It resulted in a 72-percent selling percentage. The donation vehicle sale totaled $2,400 and included various in-lane prize giveaways.
During the month, $8,316 was raised to benefit Drive Hope and the Breast Cancer Fund of Ohio.
“This event was a great refreshing thrust in the direction of positivity during these challenging times,” said Akron A/A human resources director Caysie Payne. “Our generous donors have given us all a little hope in a year that has been tough for so many. We thank everyone so much who contributed to such a great cause.”
Barrett-Jackson, which produces collector car and automotive lifestyle events, says it set two world collector car auction records during its online-only auction in May.
Barrett-Jackson chairman and chief executive officer Craig Jackson said teaming up with NASCAR team owner Richard Childress for the sale of his original No. 3 Dale Earnhardt NASCAR race car was “the true highlight of the auction.”
The sale of that vehicle, Jackson said, “raised money for people whose health and livelihoods have been impacted by the current pandemic.”
Barrett-Jackson describes itself as “the World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions,” with events that include authentic “automobilia” auctions and the sale of high-profile estates and private collections.
The online-only auction closed on May 17, the company says that with the help of Childress, it raised $425,000 for charity and $3.79 million overall.
The two world auction records for collector cars included a 2010 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Race Car (Lot #100). That car sold for $61,600.
The other record was for a 1984 Dodge Daytona Turbo (Lot #217), and that one closed bidding at $20,350.
“The response to our Online Only Auction was incredible, with bidders and consignors participating in the action throughout the entire event,” Jackson said in a news release.
Jackson continued, “We kicked off the auction by setting a world auction record for our very first lot. Our two top sellers also were part of an exciting bidding war similar to one you’d experience during one of our live auctions.”
The top vehicles that sold during the auction include:
— 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Split-Window Coupe (Lot #240) – $357,500
— 1941 Lincoln Zephyr Custom Coupe (Lot #239) – $203,500
— 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 (Lot #241) – $195,000
— 1967 Ford Mustang Custom Fastback (Lot #247) – $165,000
— 2003 Kirkham 427 KMS/SC Roadster (Lot #243) – $115,500
— 2014 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake Convertible (Lot #123) – $93,500
— Hank Williams Jr.’s 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Seville (Lot #234) – $92,400
— 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 (Lot #219) – $91,300
— 1968 Ford Mustang Custom Fastback (Lot #249) – $90,200
— 1965 Sunbeam Tiger Convertible (Lot #120) – $88,000
On May 16, Barrett-Jackson and Childress sold the No. 3 Dale Earnhardt-driven NASCAR race car (Lot #200) for $425,000 to benefit COVID-19 U.S. relief efforts.
“America is facing unprecedented times right now, and it’s going to take everyone working together and making sacrifices to make a difference,” said Childress, who is chairman and chief executive officer of Richard Childress Racing.
Childress continued, “I have so many memories of this No. 3 Chevrolet, including celebrating with Dale Earnhardt in Victory Lane. I will always hold those memories dearly, but now I am thrilled to see that the winning bidder will be able to build memories as well. I want to thank our bidder, who has chosen to remain anonymous. Feeding America and Samaritan’s Purse will use these funds to help people most in need right now.”
In addition to the collector car auction, Barrett-Jackson also sold 228 genuine, authentic “automobilia” items for more than $266,000.
The top five “automobilia” pieces include:
— Late-model custom Porsche neon sign (Lot #6320): $16,675
— 1926 Standard Oil Red Crown gasoline visible gas pump (Lot #6388): $10,062.50
— 1950s Coca-Cola Vendo 56 coin-operated soda machine (Lot #6313): $9,200
— 1936 Wayne #60 Shell Oil gas pump (Lot #6312): $7,475
— 1930s-40s Hudson Automobiles neon porcelain sign (Lot #6332): $7,475
“This week’s Online Only Auction gave the collector car community a chance to join the excitement of a digital version of the Barrett-Jackson experience until we can return with our live auctions,” Jackson said.
Jackson continued, “We’ll continue to grow our online auctions between our live experiences, too, including integrating live streaming elements and providing a chance for our customers and fans to interact with us in real time.”
Barrett-Jackson’s Las Vegas Auction at the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort from Sept. 10 to 12; and Palm Beach Auction, which was rescheduled for Oct. 15 to 17; will take place as scheduled, unless otherwise announced. Consignments for all upcoming Barrett-Jackson auctions are currently being accepted.
Eric Autenrieth says ServNet’s participation in support of The Hourglass Foundation is two-fold.
Autenrieth, who is chairman of the board for ServNet, said that across the United States, ServNet auction locations make cash donations to the foundation’s scholarship program for every Flexco vehicle sold at auction. ServNet has joined with remarketing partner Flexco Fleet Services in support of The Hourglass Foundation.
The foundation’s scholarship program benefits community college and technical school students pursuing their education in mechanical fields.
In addition, representatives from the local auctions reach out to area high schools, two-year colleges and trade schools in their communities to make students aware of the scholarship program and also to show them opportunities for workplace experience at the auction.
The Hourglass Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Hourglass Management and its portfolio companies, which includes Flexco Fleet Services. Ron Shoemaker is chair of Hourglass Management.
Owners of the ServNet auctions are strongly committed to supporting the education and training of the next generation, Autenrieth said. ServNet has contributed to the NAAA Warren Young, Sr., Scholastic Foundation for many years and in 2016 founded its own scholarship program for children of ServNet auction employees.
“We admire the work that The Hourglass Foundation is doing to provide opportunities for young adults through scholarships and its focus on trade school and community college education,” Autenrieth said.
He continued, “Men and women with education in mechanical fields are a critical link in the chain of our auction operations, from condition report writers to technicians and managers in our mechanical, body and recon shops. We are excited to work in partnership with The Hourglass Foundation and Flexco to create opportunities for the next generation.”
In other news, ServNet has opened its 2020 Scholarship Program. ServNet designed the program to help its auction employees and their families pursue a higher education.
The ServNet Scholarship program is geared toward full-time ServNet auction employees, their children, stepchildren and grandchildren who plan to attend college or vocational school programs.
For aspiring undergraduate students in 2020, up to 10 awards totaling $20,000 are available. To students attending a four-year college or university, the awards will be given in increments of five awards of $2,500. Five awards of $1,500 will be given to students attending a two-year college or who are in vocational-technical school pursuing an auto-related degree.
The application deadline for this year’s Scholarship Awards is March 31 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.
“ServNet has for many years lent its support to higher education for members of the auction industry,” said Ryan Clark, owner of Greater Rockford Auto Auction and a member of ServNet’s board of directors, overseeing the Scholarship Program.
Clark said ServNet’s efforts were initially focused support of NAAA’s Warren Young Scholarship Program in the early 2000s.
“But we decided as a group that we wanted to broaden our support for training and education by offering scholarships each year to the sons and daughters of employees of ServNet auctions, and launched our own program in 2016,” Clark said.
He added, “As the leaders of family-owned businesses ourselves, we ServNet owners take a deep personal interest in our employees. ServNet’s scholarship program is a great way for us to encourage the members of our auction families and to help lay the groundwork for the next generation that follows.”
Employees and associates at ServNet auctions around the country have enthusiastically received ServNet’s scholarship program, Clark said, adding that several students have applied for — and been awarded — the ServNet scholarship in multiple years.
“ServNet’s Scholarship Program is both an important way to support the families who work so hard in our industry and to invest in our collective future,” Ryan said.
Peter Kelly says OPENLANE, a business unit of KAR Auction Services, is celebrating its 20th anniversary and sharing its success by helping the cause of the United Food Bank of Mesa, Ariz.
“We’re honored to commemorate our landmark anniversary and share our success by contributing to their efforts to alleviate hunger and poverty,” said Kelly, who is president of KAR and a co-founder of OPENLANE, an upstream remarketing platform for OEM, captive finance, financial institutions and fleet customers.
OPENLANE has donated $10,000 to the food bank in honor of its anniversary and National Hunger Action Day, which was on Thursday. Also during the company’s day of service on Wednesday, more than 400 OPENLANE employees packed 2,400 bags of food for the food bank.
KAR said in a news release that United Food Bank provides hunger relief to residents of the East Valley and eastern Arizona. United Food Bank distributed almost 24 million pounds of food last year, which provided nearly 19.5 million meals.
United Food Bank is a member of the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks, which secures and distributes 4.3 billion meals each year. Feeding America’s distribution of those meals takes place through U.S. food pantries and meal programs, and according to KAR, Feeding America is a nationwide leader in efforts to fight hunger.
Also in celebration of its 20-year anniversary, OPENLANE has planned a similar event in October at the company’s technology and innovation hub in Toronto, Ontario.
“United Food Bank is helping create a safety net of hope and relief in this community, and we’re humbled by their dedication to such a worthwhile cause,” Kelly said.
“With 20 years of industry leadership, OPENLANE has a proven track record of delivering the latest technology at scale, with service and support that inspire loyalty in its customers,” said KAR chief strategy officer and president of digital, data and mobility services Don Gottwald.
He added, “The dedicated team members in our Mesa office are bringing that same sense of service and support to the mission of United Food Bank today as they generously and compassionately work to support the local community.”
Sending zero waste to landfill by 2024. That’s a goal for Cox Enterprises, and the company also wants to be water/carbon neutral by 2044.
Manheim San Francisco Bay, a Cox Enterprises company, has worked on several initiatives to reach those goals. Now, the City of Hayward, Calif., has recognized the company’s efforts.
The auction has implemented paperless billing and installed 630 solar panels. It has converted all of its indoor and outdoor lighting to LED. Manheim has also strived to increase the amount of waste diverted from landfill. Manheim San Francisco Bay reports that its current diversion rate is 80 percent.
The City of Hayward named Manheim San Francisco Bay one the winners of its 2019 Environmental Sustainability Awards. The city recognizes the winners for their sustainability efforts in conserving water and energy, reducing waste, encouraging recycling and enacting environmental programs or policies.
“From creating recycling and composting initiatives, to installing LED lighting and encouraging alternative transit, we believe strongly that our collective actions can make a big difference,” Cox Automotive Manheim San Francisco Bay general manager Greg Beck said in a news release. “We’re proud to be recognized by the City of Hayward for these efforts, and we’ll continue looking for more ways to be good stewards of the environment and impactful citizens of Hayward,”
In related news, Cox Enterprises, together with entrepreneur network Techstars, launched a program that they say will fund and support startups that address social and environmental challenges. Called Cox Enterprises Social Impact Accelerator, powered by Techstars, the program will help with what Cox Enterprises says is its “long-standing commitment to building businesses that support local communities and the environment.”
“Income inequality, cleaner sources of energy and sustainable food production are just some of the challenges we're all facing,” said Alex Taylor, president and chief executive officer of Cox Enterprises.
Taylor added, “Our company wants to invest in the future and empower great people to create a better future for the next generation. Investing in startups and accelerators like Techstars helps do that.”
The new three-month accelerator is set to start in January 2020. Cox Enterprises says that for 10 for-profit, mission-driven companies working to address social and environmental problems, the program will provide hands-on mentoring, funding and global connections.
Cox business leaders and experts will help entrepreneurs boost their early-stage businesses and grow their networks. At a Demo Day presentation in April 2020, those leaders and experts will also prepare entrepreneurs to pitch their companies to potential investors, Cox leaders and community members.
Cox says that because the accelerator will run each year for the next three years, 30 different startups will have the opportunity to participate in the program.
Cox says the accelerator will help attract entrepreneurs from around the world to Atlanta, which the company calls “a growing hub for innovation and technology.”
Cox and Techstars partnered in 2016 to launch Techstars Atlanta. In the past three years, Cox has already supported 30 Techstars companies. Half of those companies have stayed in Atlanta.
Cox also funds and supports startups and entrepreneurs through Atlanta-based partnerships in addition to Techstars. Those include Engage, Endeavor and Startup Runway.
“Startup entrepreneurs who are trying to fundamentally solve big problems in innovative ways will feel right at home working with Cox mentors and leadership,” said Maury Wolfe, senior director of corporate social responsibility and public affairs at Cox Enterprises. “Social responsibility is embedded in our business strategy here at Cox. It’s why we are making key investments like Techstars that both drive innovation and enhance our communities.”
Cox Enterprises is investing in Atlanta’s startup ecosystem, but it also supports its local communities and reduces its own environmental footprint. One example is that through Cox companies and the James M. Cox Foundation in 2018, the company has given more than $123 million in total cash and in-kind giving. To meet its goal mentioned earlier on sending zero waste to landfill by 2024 and becoming water and carbon neutral by 2044, the company according to its CSR annual report has so far offset 567,000 tons of carbon, saved 276 million gallons of water and diverted 170,000 tons of waste from landfills.
Founded by Melvin Reid in 1949, 166 Auto Auction in Springfield is still located on the original property where Reid and his team began selling dealer consignment inventory.
The location has since expanded to 50-plus acres, and the business grew to remarket large volumes of cars for consignors such as Ford, GM, GMAC, Chrysler and various national banks.
Reid in the late 1980s sold the auction to Manheim Auto Auctions, and Tom Schaefer purchased it in October 2011, returning it to its roots as an independent auction, according to the company. On April 25, 166 Auto Auction will celebrate its 70th anniversary.
After the sale of 166 Auto Auction to Manheim it started a specialty sale of boats, RVs, campers and motorcycles in addition to cars and trucks. This sale continues to operate on the third Thursday of every month, and the auction also holds a salvage and inop sale every Thursday morning.
The auction has grown from a small building with dirt floors to a full-service, eight-lane auction. It started as several small buildings for recon and grew to become a 42,000-square-foot retail collision center, serving the retail public and its auction customers.
The location features a 10-bay mechanical shop, performing hundreds of pre-sale and post-sale inspections each week and serving the retail public. The detail facility, which operated out of one of the auction lanes many years ago, is now housed in its own three-lane building.
The auction says it offers technology to provide all forms of upstream remarketing and simulcast selling in each lane. The company also says it has seen a volume increase in commercial and dealer consignment.
It has received awards from Consumer Portfolio and Credit Acceptance and customer confidence awards from OVE.
“While reminiscing about the past, we are excited for what the future holds, and strongly believe in our motto, 'Building our Future on your Success,'" the company said in a news release.
Alliance raises nearly $48K for Poiema Foundation
In other auction news, Alliance Auto Auctions in Texas raised almost $48,000 for the Poiema Foundation. The donation will assist with the foundation’s mission of working to rescue and help heal human trafficking survivors.
Chief executive officer Tim Adams said the auction group chooses a charity to work with each year.
“And when I learned about the work Poiema does for survivors of the scourge of human trafficking, I wanted to help,” Adams said in a news release. Alliance Auto Auctions is a chain of four Texas auctions serving in Abilene, Dallas, Longview and Waco.
The auctions run more than 1,500 units each week. It is also a member of Auction Management Solutions (AMS), an automotive consulting firm with a network of auto auctions across the United States.
Poiema rescues sex trafficking victims, helps them with their healing, and works to raise public awareness to the mission of helping prevent sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and other methods of sexual exploitation.
Adams said the auction set a $50,000 fund-raising goal and wanted those funds “to stay local.” His company is proud of reaching the $48,000 mark.
“Each auction raised money, but our customers and vendors assisted as well,” Adams said.
The auction said Poiema director and founder Rebecca Jowers was “stunned” that Alliance Auto Auctions selected her group as its charity.
“We were most appreciative, but I had to wonder who are you, and how do you even know who we are?” Jowers said in a news release. “I really think it was divine intervention getting that phone call from Alliance.”
Poiema used the funds for boarding girls in the foundation’s Safe House, medical treatment, food and clothing, counseling, equine therapy, and a service dog. Jowers said face-to-face counseling does not always provide as much care as these trauma victims often need.
“When you bring the horse in, the horse can read their emotions, and it makes an amazing difference,” Jowers said.
The funds provided throughout the year provided Safe House residency for more than 10 girls and provided outreach assistance to another 10 girls, along with staffing, medical treatment, and other services for the survivors.
Adams of Alliance Auto Auctions said that Alliance is not the only entity that provided these funds.
“I’m so proud of our customers,” Adams said. “It’s our dealers, and everyone who attends our auctions. We’re like a huge family. Some of our people donated directly to Poiema as well.”
In the first quarter of 2018, the auction raised $15,000. Then on June 20, Alliance held a charity auction at its Dallas location that raised $11,000. Dealers also donated items for the auction.
Adams said that working with Poiema helps Alliance in its goal of establishing personal and trusted relationships with all customers. Poiema’s Rockwall, Texas headquarters is not far from the Alliance Auction in Dallas. For every car sold during the fundraising drive, Alliance Auto Auction donated a portion of the proceeds to Poiema.
Updated to correct spelling of Poiema.
