Buckeye Dealership Consulting has rebranded as Buckeye Risk Services, a move that reflects the company’s evolution into a full-spectrum risk assessment and solutions organization serving multiple verticals while staying rooted in the automotive and finance ecosystems.

Buckeye’s rebrand brings together the company’s portfolio of services, internal teams, and acquired entities under a single, unified identity. The transition follows its 2023 acquisition of Berkshire Risk Services, a longtime partner and provider of insurance tracking and collateral protection insurance (CPI) solutions for buy-here, pay-here and other automotive, trucking, and equipment financiers.

Over the past two years, Buckeye, widely known throughout the used-vehicle industry, has worked to integrate operations, systems, and people into what CEO Rob Fox refers to as “a cohesive family focused on helping our clients win.”

Chris Kirwin, past CEO of Berkshire Risk Services, founded the company in 2007 as a specialty provider of CPI and insurance tracking services for banks, credit unions, and auto finance companies.

“In a nutshell,” Kirwin said, “our job was to make sure our clients’ collateral was fully insured against comp and collision losses. I met Rob around 2009. An executive at Great American Insurance Company had encouraged Rob to work with Berkshire to administer CPI for one of his BHPH dealers. Though Berkshire had written some BHPH business, the partnership with Rob and Buckeye changed the company’s trajectory and helped remake us as a specialist in the BHPH market.”

While saying he was fortunate for that introduction, Fox said it’s time for the rebrand.

“The old name no longer fits who we are or what we offer,” Fox said. “We’re far more than a consulting firm—we’re focused on becoming the leader in the finance and insurance space. We’re serving both independent and franchise dealers, and we’re investing in long-term infrastructure that supports our clients’ growth.”

That growth has been years in the making. In 2020, Buckeye acquired Truck Master Warranty, expanding its services to include commercial vehicle warranty programs for independent truck dealerships and fleet owners. The acquisition allowed Buckeye to move beyond traditional auto coverage and serve a niche segment that national providers underserved.

Buckeye also acquired SAS (Specialty Administrative Services) that same year, further strengthening its capabilities in third-party administration. SAS provided backend expertise in claims, compliance, and warranty processing, enabling Buckeye to deliver turnkey F&I and reinsurance programs with in-house support and efficiency.

Each acquisition, Fox said, built on Buckeye’s original mission of helping dealers build wealth through reinsurance. The company’s reinsurance model has always prioritized a “stepped” approach— starting where the client is today and guiding them toward a structured, scalable profit model through customizable ancillary protection products.

“Not everyone is ready for reinsurance on day one,” Fox noted. “Our job is to guide that journey at the right pace, with the right structure, and provide the legal and financial support to do it well.”

The rebrand will allow the company to build on the brand recognition the related enterprises have garnered over the years. Fox said the consolidation and rebranding are crucial in conveying a unified identity to the marketplace and enhancing the client experience across the board.

The Buckeye Risk Services team now comprises dozens of experienced personnel, including finance and insurance professionals, three attorneys, and four certified public accountants, all of whom work directly with clients to optimize program compliance, profitability, and execution.

Senior leadership and key staffing appointments over the past 18 months have enabled Buckeye to expand into new markets while maintaining its commitment to the BHPH space. Strategic hires have brought franchise expertise, lending insights, and operational horsepower that have accelerated Buckeye’s growth across retail, subprime, and fleet finance channels.

“Our golden goose is still BHPH,” Fox said. “That market built us, and we’re not stepping away from it. Our products are designed with those dealers in mind—even when they lead us into new opportunities.”

The company is also investing heavily in technology, automation, and infrastructure improvements to increase efficiency and scalability. Digital transformation will be a key focus moving forward as Buckeye Risk Services prepares for a series of strategic growth initiatives—including potential acquisitions later this year.

Even amid market headwinds and regulatory uncertainty, Fox is optimistic. “Our clients are gritty and resourceful,” he said. “Our job is to support that grit with solid products, timely insights, and the tools they need to compete and grow.”

While the name has changed, the company’s mission has not.

“Nothing’s really changing,” Fox said. “Except everything’s getting better.”