Collision Partners Expands with K&M Collision Acquisition, Strengthens Leadership Team
Collision Partners (CP), a rapidly growing collision repair platform dedicated to preserving the independence and excellence of high-quality repair businesses, has announced the acquisition of K&M Collision, one of the most respected OEM-certified collision repair companies in the United States. Headquartered in Hickory, North Carolina, K&M Collision has built an outstanding reputation for premium repair quality, advanced technical expertise, and customer-focused service over more than three decades.
The acquisition represents more than a traditional business transaction. Structured as an operator-led partnership, the deal allows the Bradshaw family, founders and longtime leaders of K&M Collision, to become significant shareholders in Collision Partners. Their investment demonstrates confidence in the company’s long-term strategy while ensuring they remain actively involved in shaping the future of the growing organization.
As part of the agreement, Michael Bradshaw has been appointed Executive Vice President of Collision Operations at Collision Partners and will also join the company’s Board of Directors. Meanwhile, Kyle Bradshaw will continue leading K&M Collision as its General Manager, ensuring continuity in day-to-day operations while supporting the company’s continued growth under the Collision Partners network.
A Partnership Built on Shared Values
Unlike many acquisitions in the collision repair industry, the partnership between Collision Partners and K&M Collision has been designed to preserve the culture, leadership, and operational excellence that made K&M successful.
Collision Partners has positioned itself as a quality-first platform that seeks partnerships with exceptional independent collision repair businesses rather than simply acquiring facilities for expansion. The company’s strategy emphasizes maintaining local leadership, protecting established business cultures, and empowering experienced operators to continue serving their communities.
K&M Collision perfectly aligns with this philosophy. Throughout its history, the company has prioritized OEM-correct repairs, customer advocacy, technician education, and continuous investment in advanced repair technologies.
Rather than replacing existing leadership, Collision Partners intends to leverage the Bradshaw family’s experience to strengthen operations throughout its growing network of repair facilities.
More Than Three Decades of Excellence
K&M Collision traces its origins back to 1991 when Kevin and Meredith Bradshaw launched the business from humble beginnings. What started as a small family-operated repair shop steadily evolved into one of America’s leading OEM-certified collision repair organizations.
Over the years, the company expanded by maintaining a relentless focus on repair quality rather than volume. That philosophy helped establish lasting relationships with automobile manufacturers, dealerships, insurers, technicians, and customers alike.
The second generation of Bradshaw leadership—including Michael, Kyle, Beau, and Aaron Bradshaw—continued building upon the strong foundation established by their parents.
Their commitment to proper repair procedures, technical training, and operational excellence has transformed K&M into one of the industry’s most respected names.
Today, K&M Collision is recognized nationally for its expertise in repairing luxury vehicles, electric vehicles, and high-performance automobiles while consistently following manufacturer-approved repair standards.
Industry-Leading OEM Certifications
One of K&M Collision’s greatest strengths lies in its extensive portfolio of OEM certifications.
The company currently holds more than 30 manufacturer certifications covering some of the world’s most prestigious automotive brands.
These certifications include:
- Aston Martin
- Audi
- Bentley
- BMW
- Jaguar
- Land Rover
- Lucid Motors
- Mercedes-Benz
- Porsche
In addition to these premium manufacturers, K&M maintains certifications from numerous other leading automotive brands, allowing the company to repair increasingly complex modern vehicles according to manufacturer specifications.
OEM certifications require significant investment in specialized equipment, technician training, repair procedures, and quality control systems.
Maintaining these certifications demonstrates K&M’s commitment to performing repairs that restore vehicles to factory standards while preserving structural integrity, safety systems, and overall vehicle performance.
As vehicles become increasingly sophisticated with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), electric drivetrains, lightweight materials, and complex electronics, OEM-certified repair capabilities continue to grow in importance.
Collision Partners Sees Strategic Value
Collision Partners CEO and Co-Founder Earl Johnson IV described K&M as exactly the type of organization the company seeks when expanding its national platform.
According to Johnson, Collision Partners was created to partner with businesses that have earned trust through exceptional workmanship, strong organizational culture, and long-standing relationships with customers and manufacturers.
He emphasized that Michael and Kyle Bradshaw have established themselves not only as successful business operators but also as respected voices within the broader collision repair industry.
Their dedication to technician education, industry advocacy, and raising repair standards aligns closely with Collision Partners’ long-term mission.
Rather than changing what has made K&M successful, Johnson explained that Collision Partners intends to preserve those strengths while creating opportunities for the Bradshaw family to influence operational excellence throughout the organization.
Michael Bradshaw Takes on National Leadership
With his appointment as Executive Vice President of Collision Operations, Michael Bradshaw assumes a significant leadership role within Collision Partners.
In this position, he will oversee collision repair strategy across all CP locations while helping develop scalable operating systems capable of supporting future expansion.
His responsibilities will include:
- Establishing best operational practices
- Enhancing repair quality standards
- Supporting technician development
- Improving customer experiences
- Strengthening safety protocols
- Driving operational consistency
- Preserving local business identities
Rather than imposing standardized procedures across every facility, Bradshaw will focus on identifying the strengths of individual repair centers while sharing successful operational practices throughout the network.
This collaborative approach aims to improve performance without sacrificing the unique culture that defines each business.
A Deeply Personal Journey
For Michael Bradshaw, the partnership carries emotional significance beyond business growth.
Reflecting on the company’s history, he recalled how his father originally started K&M Collision in his grandparents’ garage.
From those modest beginnings, Kevin and Meredith Bradshaw gradually built a respected business centered on integrity, craftsmanship, and relationships.
Michael credits his parents not only for building a successful company but also for teaching values that continue guiding the organization today.
He explained that K&M has never been defined solely by its certifications, equipment, or facilities.
Instead, its greatest strength has always been its people and their shared commitment to repairing vehicles correctly every time.
Joining Collision Partners allows the Bradshaw family to extend those values beyond their own facilities and influence repair quality across a much larger organization.
Kyle Bradshaw Continues Leading K&M
While Michael assumes broader corporate responsibilities, Kyle Bradshaw will continue overseeing daily operations as General Manager of K&M Collision.
Kyle has played a central role in the company’s development alongside his brothers and parents.
Under his leadership, K&M will continue focusing on:
- Superior repair quality
- Customer satisfaction
- OEM compliance
- Dealership relationships
- Employee development
- Operational excellence
His continued presence ensures stability for employees, customers, dealership partners, and suppliers while allowing K&M to maintain the local identity that has defined its reputation for decades.
Active Leaders Across the Industry
Both Michael and Kyle Bradshaw are widely recognized beyond their own business for their leadership within the collision repair industry.
Michael currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), one of North America’s largest trade organizations representing professional collision repair facilities.
Through SCRS, he has advocated for proper repair procedures, technician education, consumer safety, and improved industry standards.
Kyle Bradshaw also serves in an influential leadership capacity as President of the Carolinas Collision Association (CCA), where he works with repair professionals throughout the region to support education, networking, and industry advancement.
Collision Partners fully supports both executives’ continued participation in these organizations, viewing industry engagement as essential for improving repair quality nationwide.
Building a Stronger Operating Platform
William Nicholson, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Collision Partners, highlighted the strategic importance of partnering with experienced operators rather than simply expanding facility numbers.
According to Nicholson, successful growth depends on surrounding exceptional businesses with equally exceptional leadership.
He noted that K&M contributes more than a respected brand name—it brings a proven operational philosophy that can strengthen every Collision Partners location.
The company’s role, he explained, is to support successful local leaders while protecting the characteristics that made each business successful.
Rather than replacing established practices, Collision Partners intends to build upon them through collaboration, shared expertise, and continuous improvement.
Continuing a Disciplined Growth Strategy
The acquisition of K&M Collision represents another important milestone in Collision Partners’ long-term expansion strategy.
Earlier partnerships with Fantastic Finishes and Chassis Master established the company’s initial foundation.
Adding K&M significantly strengthens the platform by bringing one of the industry’s premier OEM-certified repair organizations into the network.
Collision Partners has emphasized that its growth strategy remains disciplined and selective.
Instead of pursuing rapid consolidation, the company continues identifying independent collision repair businesses with exceptional reputations, strong cultures, and experienced leadership teams.
This approach allows Collision Partners to build a network centered on quality rather than size alone.
Expanding Corporate Capabilities
Alongside its operational growth, Collision Partners has expanded its corporate leadership infrastructure to support future acquisitions and platform development.
The company has strengthened multiple functional areas, including:
- Business development
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Collision operations
- Finance
- Accounting
- Business operations
- Strategic planning
These additions provide the organizational capacity needed to integrate new partners while maintaining high operational standards across all locations.
As Collision Partners continues expanding, these corporate resources will help support local operators without diminishing their independence or unique business identities.
Positioning for the Future of Collision Repair
The collision repair industry continues evolving rapidly due to technological advances, electrification, connected vehicles, lightweight construction materials, and increasingly sophisticated safety systems.
Repair facilities must continually invest in technician education, advanced equipment, OEM certifications, and updated repair methodologies to remain competitive.
Partnerships like the one between Collision Partners and K&M Collision reflect a growing recognition that collaboration can provide independent repair businesses with greater resources while preserving the local relationships and quality standards customers value.
By combining K&M’s decades of technical expertise with Collision Partners’ expanding platform and operational support, both organizations aim to position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly complex automotive repair environment.
As the industry continues transforming, Collision Partners believes that maintaining a steadfast commitment to OEM-correct repairs, customer safety, employee development, and operational excellence will remain the foundation of sustainable growth. The addition of K&M Collision and the leadership of Michael and Kyle Bradshaw significantly strengthens that vision, creating new opportunities to elevate repair standards while preserving the values that have defined both organizations for years.
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