ONE of the largest car and truck dealerships in regional South Australia, Barry Maney Group has announced it will transfer ownership to Adelaide-based CMV Group.
All Barry Maney Group staff will remain in employment as part of the acquisition and the transfer is expected to occur in January, subject to franchisor approval.
The Barry Maney Group was founded by the late Barry Maney OAM in 1976, initially as a Ford dealer.
The company now encompasses six franchises and employs 95 people.
Managing director David Millard said the transition of ownership was a “natural progression” given the retailer’s long-standing association with the CMV Group.
“With the parallel histories of the two organisations, it really felt as though the transition of ownership to the CMV Group was a natural progression,” Mr Millard said.
“We are just delighted that the CMV Group, a family-owned company with similar values to ourselves, has had the opportunity to acquire the business.
“The partners have every confidence the CMV Group will be able to utilise their substantial experience and help to further grow the Barry Maney business.”
CMV Group was founded by Sidney Crawford in 1934 and is one of the state’s largest privately-owned family businesses.
Managing director Paul Crawford said CMV’s relationship with the Barry Maney Group was established in the ’70s.
“There was a strong personal relationship between our father Jim Crawford and the late Barry Maney OAM,” Mr Crawford said.
“We look forward to bringing the Barry Maney Group into our fold and are committed to maintaining the strong customer focus enjoyed by Barry Maney Group customers.
“As a testament to the legacy left by Barry Maney, we will continue to trade under the Barry Maney Group banner.”
Mr Crawford said the two long-standing businesses’ values were aligned.
“We place equal importance on our staff, our customers and the communities within which we operate,” he said.
“We have over 1400 employees who we consider our greatest assets and we are pleased to confirm we will be offering employment to all existing Barry Maney Group employees.
“We believe there are strong synergies between the two organisations and particularly our cultures and values.”
Shirley Maney expressed her views on behalf of the Maney family.
“Barry would be delighted the business is being handed over to a business he held in such high regard and that all BMG staff will remain in employment as part of the acquisition,” she said.
Mr Crawford said the CMV Group was passionate about supporting communities.
“We look forward to maintaining and enhancing the strong presence the Barry Maney Group has created in Mount Gambier and the surrounding districts,” he said.
