Garber Automotive Group is led by owner and President, Richard J. Garber; Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer, Patrick Hengesbach. The Management Group also employs a Controller and supporting staff.

The organization today consists of nine dealerships representing 11 manufacturers and 18 franchises.

Five dealerships are located in the Midwest.

• Garber Buick: Saginaw, MI (Flagship dealership, established in 1907.)
  
• Garber Nissan: Saginaw, MI (Acquired in 1986)
  
• Garber Hyundai: Saginaw, MI (Acquired in 1986)
  
• Garber Chevrolet: Midland, MI (Acquired in 1991)
  
• Sunrise Chevrolet: Glendale Heights, IL (Acquired in 1997)
  

Four dealerships are located in Florida.
The GARBER AUTO MALL is located in Green Cove Springs, Florida, 10 miles south of Jacksonville and includes the following franchises:

• Garber Ford Mercury (Acquired in 1986)
  
• Garber Chevrolet Buick Pontiac GMC (Acquired in 1994)
  
• Garber Chrysler Dodge Jeep (Acquired in 1997)

One dealership is located in Miami, Florida.

• Doral Buick Pontiac GMC (Acquired in 2007)Chicago (Acquired in 2005)

Together the dealerships gross in excess of $400 million in sales annually and employ nearly 800 people. The organization has also expended its business with the formation of RightWay Automotive Credit; a sub-prime used vehicle retail operation and its own affiliated finance company, Gateway Financial.

Continued growth is planned or the organization, which makes recruiting, selecting and training high potential candidates our highest priority. Entry-level opportunities are available in Michigan, Illinois and Florida. For the right candidate, a management training program is available.

VISION STATEMENT
"To be the BEST automotive sales and repair operation in every market we serve."

MISSION STATEMENT
"We're only doing our jobs when we create an experience for the customers for which they choose to return and do business with us again."

COMPANY VALUES
Honesty: Truthful at all times
Respect: To show consideration and honor for each other.
Empathy: To be able to understand another's position.
Integrity: To be of good sound moral principle, trustworthy, sincere.
Pride: Sense of self-worth. Making a difference in people's lives.
Work Ethic: Working as a team to meet or exceed expectations.


HISTORY OF THE COMPANY
The year was 1907 and many thought that the horse and buggy would continue to be the way to travel. One notable exception was a young farm implement salesman of exceptional ability and bold vision. His name was Guy S. Garber, and he saw the automobile as the vehicle to the future.

Growing up in the Lansing area, his reputation as a salesman brought him to the attention of William C. Durant, founder of General Motors. At his urging, Guy Garber became a factory representative for Buick Motor Division. During his first six months he established one dealership, in Battle Creek Michigan. His responsibility was the management of the day to day operations.

His success there brought him to take on a greater challenge, coming to Saginaw in 1910 representing Buick. This was to become the key to his success with Buick and General Motors.... lasting a lifetime. Guy Garber shared the vision of the GM founder. America was headed for a golden automotive era.

Guy Garber's long and productive affiliation with GM lasted nearly 60 years, through the great depression and two world wars. During that time Garber married Hazel Denyes and began a family which would eventually number four sons and two daughters; Jack, Maxine, Richard, Guy Jr. (Ike), Jane and Robert.

As the oldest family-owned Buick dealership in the United States, the Garbers have always conducted a unique relationship with GM's Buick Motor Division. In its early years Garber Buick Company became a GM model for salesmanship, efficiency and service to the customer.

Years ago it was written that Guy S. Garber has but one hobby and that is service. "He lives service, breathes service and practices service. His predominant business policy is to render such uniformly satisfying service that there shall not be a single dissatisfied Buick owner in the 30 counties comprising his territory." Said Guy S. Garber, "Service does not mean something for nothing, but it does mean prompt, efficient and courteous attention at a fair price." This founding business philosophy thrives today in the mission statement for Garber Buick.

When automotive pioneer Guy S. Garber died on December 5, 1965 at the age of 81, Michigan's first Buick distributorship became the nation's last Buick distributorship. An important piece of automotive history had passed away.

Richard Garber, Sr., son of Guy Garber, who had been actively managing Garber Buick Company, became president and owner until his death in 1972. Like his father, Richard was a civic leader in every sense of the word.

Richard Garber was succeeded by Norman F. Geyer as president. Norm Geyer was married to Maxine Garber and was a son-in-law to Guy Garber. He was a dedicated, honest, and respected individual with high values. With over 25 years of experience with the organization, the majority as service director, Norm was knowledgeable in all aspects of the dealership operation. As president, he successfully guided the Buick store for eight years, during the trying times of the 1970's, until he passed the torch to Richard J. Garber Jr., in 1980.

Richard J. Garber, Jr., was the third generation to take the helm of the company in its 73rd of operation. When he became president, he was the youngest Buick dealer for a dealership of its size in the nation. Since that time the organization has grown to nine dealerships located in three states, Michigan, Florida and Illinois.

The organization today is a long way from the 1907 version, but important traditions live on: dedication to service, a loyal staff and a forward-looking vision. One that echoes in the spirit of a young farm implement salesman who took thousands of mid-Michigan area residents out of the buggy and put them behind the wheel.

Hear What Our Customers Have to Say

"The Garber team made us feel welcome and treated us with respect."
"In our effort to find a certified GM vehicle we researched dealerships in the Saginaw area. Using the internet as our primary tool we narrowed our selection down to three dealers. After talking with sales representatives of each organization, the decision was made to deal with Garber. This was based on the fact that we found the staff of Garber to be courteous, friendly and knowledgeable. The Garber team made us feel welcome and treated us with respect. The manager was active and visible to customers giving the dealership a feeling of real team work an professionalism. Given our experience, the next time we are in the market for transportation, Garber Buick will be our first stop."
Joe and Lee Rose, Mount Pleasant

"You did a very professional job! "
Mark, Thanks again for all your help and hard work on the sale of my new car. You did a very professional job, Sharon and I thank you.
Thomas ,Fenton

"He is my salesman of the year! "
Rodger, I have found in Rodger Piering the best car salesman I have ever dealt with. He is caring, honest and has a wonderful way with people. I have bought five cars maybe more from him, and I would not go to anyone else. Also my insurance company said he was the best and most kind salesman they had done business with, when he called them to get insurance on the last car I bought. He took care of everything for me. That is why he is my salesman of the year!
Jessie, Houghton Lake

"I am an old retired sales manager so feel qualified to recognize an excellent sales person of which you certainly are one!"
Charles, Thank you for your professionalism, your courtesy and your assistance in bringing our recent purchase of a new Buick to a satisfactory close. We enjoyed our time spent with you and felt we were completely and correctly informed on all aspects of our negotiations. Thank you for your patients. I am an old retired sales manager so feel qualified to recognize an excellent sales person of which you certainly are one! And, that was a neat surprise having a gift in the back seat of our bright and shiny new vehicle! We would, we will, recommend you to our friends who may be looking for a new vehicle.
Gene and Alice ,Bay City