The Franklin Collision Center, a beacon of community spirit and automotive excellence, has officially broken ground for its new facility. The new collision center will be located directly behind Franklin Chevrolet, 106 Northside Drive East in Statesboro, GA.
The event, filled with laughter, memories, and high hopes for the future, marked another significant milestone in the long history of the Franklin family business.
Lehman Franklin, Vice President of Franklin Automotive Group, kicked things off alongside his cousin, Stephen Franklin, with a heartfelt speech. He shared a bit of history, talking about how their grandfather started the business back in 1940 at a Chevrolet store downtown. Later, Lehman’s uncle, Robbie Franklin, took over and moved the business to its current location in 1967. Lehman joked about the “chaos” his uncle created but mentioned that Robbie couldn't be there because he was in Florida, fishing.
"I kind of pick on him a little bit. This is all his chaos that he created. But he's in Florida right now and he wants to express that he's sorry for not being here, but he said he has to catch a fish," Lehman added, drawing laughs from the crowd.
Lehman also gave shout-outs to some important people who came to support the event. Dignitaries included Roy Thompson, Bulloch County Chairman, Speaker Jon Burns, Representative Butch Parrish, Representative Leesa Hagan and Representative Rick Townsend. Commissioner elect Ray Davis, Commission candidate Nick Newkirk and BOE elect Leisha Nevil were also in attendance.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by a mix of local dignitaries, including county officials, city representatives, and state legislators along with key Franklin Automotive team members.
Next up was Chairman Roy Thompson, who shared some fun memories and local history. He talked about the old days when Franklin Chevrolet was downtown and reminisced about his dad buying him a red convertible Chevrolet Impala in 1964 for just $2,840.53. Roy emphasized how much the company has grown and changed over the years, highlighting the new 30,000 square foot facility.
Then, Michelle Davis, the chairman of the Statesboro Chamber of Commerce, took the stage. She praised the Franklin family for their contributions to the community and shared a funny story about Mr. Robbie Franklin, who taught her a valuable lesson early in her career. "At a meeting with Mr. Robbie early in my career, I had brought a contract for him to sign. Mr. Robbie asked me for a pen. Well, I didn't have a pen on me. He leaned in and with wisdom and kindness said, 'Young lady, let me give you a little bit of advice. Because you're going to have a business transaction in the future that requires a signature, you might want to bring a pen.'" She said she now carries multiple pens, just in case!
The event was a celebration of both the past and the future. The new facility promises to bring advanced automotive services and create job opportunities, contributing to the economic growth of Bulloch County. Lehman Franklin emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards and supporting the local community.
The event continued with Representative Butch Parrish introducing Representative Jon Burns, the Speaker of the Georgia House. Speaker Burns spoke about his love for Georgia and the importance of small businesses like Franklin Collision Center. He praised the Franklin family for their dedication to the community and their employees. "I've known Robbie Franklin most of my life, and it's been a real honor. His vision for this company is incredibly important, and it's wonderful to see the next generations continuing on with the progress and service to the community," Burns stated.
Finally, Bill McFarland, the Collision Center Director, spoke about his excitement for the new project. He’s been in the car business for 36 years and has worked at Franklin Collision since 2013. Bill joked about being a “damn Yankee” from New York but said he’s proud to be part of the Franklin family.
The new collision center design will meet a huge need in collision repair. At their current 7,000 sq. ft. facility they can repair only 3 cars per day whicl allows them to process 59 per month. They have seen wait times, to even get vehicles in the shop for repair, exceed 12 weeks. At the new facility, they will increase their staff to 25 and will be able to repair 13 cars per day which will allow them to process 266 cars per month.
The facility is geared towards efficiency and quality, featuring a climate-controlled work area and diamond-polished floors. It will operate with a streamlined collision repair process, capable of handling 4-6 vehicles daily. The team of technicians, certified in Toyota and I-Car Gold standards, ensures that expertise is at the forefront of every repair, from minor dents to heavy collision damage.
Franklin Collision Center also emphasizes environmental responsibility by using PPG Waterborne Paint, which is less harmful to the environment while providing precise color matching for vehicles. The center will offer a wide range of services, including in-house windshield replacements and ADAS calibrations, making it a one-stop shop for comprehensive automotive repairs.
As the ceremony came to a close, the community gathered to celebrate this new beginning for the Franklin Collision Center. With shovels in hand and hearts full of hope, the Franklin family and their supporters looked forward to a bright future, continuing a legacy of excellence and community service.
Live stream of the ceremony