Manheim Continues to Invest in Its Auction Network, Prepares For Added Growth, Improved Processes

Designed To Meet Its Commitment To Deliver The Best Auction Experience for Customers

To prepare for anticipated growth in the remarketing industry and meet its commitment to create the best auction experience for its customers, Manheim is investing more than $100 million over three years in its North American auctions. The investment, started last year, includes various facility upgrades and renovations, lane improvements, energy saving projects and a long-term modernization initiative that will significantly improve how employees and customers interact. To date, this initiative has automated how sales are set up at auction, reducing this task from two days to two hours and replacing paper-based vehicle lists with a new mobile tool that creates more efficient routes for auction drivers.

“As we celebrate our 70^th anniversary next year, it’s an exciting time to recognize the role that auctions have played in the past and the important role they will play in our future,” said Janet Barnard, Manheim North America executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Our goal is to continue to invest in areas within our auctions that make it easier for customers to do business, while freeing up time for our employees to deliver the type of service our customers have come to expect.”

In addition to its $26 million investment since 2012, Manheim is spending more than $100 million over three years in improvements to its auction network. Below are some examples of its largest projects:

• Auction Modernization Initiative:  This long-term, multi-million dollar redesign effort will take advantage of new technologies to greatly improve auction processes and enable employees to spend more time interacting with customers. Tapping employees’ auction expertise, including having them help customers navigate more effectively through physical and digital sales, is what customers told Manheim they valued.
• Renovations and facility upgrades at Manheim Chicago, Manheim Denver, Manheim Fort Lauderdale, Manheim Lakeland and Manheim Louisville:  New lane upgrades and the addition of a double-block lane set-up were implemented at Manheim Chicago this year. These improvements double the space of each lane, allowing medium to smaller-size cars to run down the lanes together. Manheim Denver received 11 new auction blocks, while Manheim Louisville underwent significant remodeling that resulted in a larger lobby area that offers customers more space. This location also opened a new digital lounge where dealers can access digital tools such as iPads to buy and sell vehicles. Manheim Fort Lauderdale will receive a larger dealer sales area and new digital lounge by November. A new canopy was installed at the vehicle entry area at Manheim Lakeland, allowing enough space for reports on up to four cars to be written simultaneously under cover from the weather.
• eGate Transportation Enhancements: Working with Ready Auto Transport, Manheim launched a new electronic gate pass process at all auction locations. This enhancement improves vehicle delivery time for buyers at auction.  Ready Auto Transport now electronically delivers eGate passes for all customer vehicles directly to its 6,500-member qualified carrier network, making the pickup of vehicles from the auction faster and more efficient.
• Enhanced Vehicle Imaging Suite:  This product, unveiled earlier this year, offers customers the highest resolution image quality along with up to 15 vehicle images with ‘heat map’ graphics that help buyers quickly assess vehicle condition.  Each location also offers a dedicated photo staff to ensure consistent image quality and standards across all Manheim locations. This suite is now offered at 20 locations in North America.
• Alternative Energy: Over the last year, Manheim installed approximately 9,000 solar panels across Manheim Albany, Manheim New Jersey, Manheim New York, Manheim North Carolina and Manheim San Diego.  Solar panels are supporting local efforts to reduce energy consumption.  At Manheim New Jersey, 4,000 of the total panels complete the final phase of its 7,700 solar panel array. Since 2007, Cox, Manheim and its affiliated foundations have invested millions in sustainability and conservation through operations projects and grants to environmental nonprofits.

About Manheim (www.manheim.com)

Manheim is the leading global provider of vehicle remarketing services, connecting buyers and sellers of used vehicles to the largest wholesale used-vehicle marketplace.   The company helps dealer and commercial customers achieve results by providing physical and digital auction channels, data analysis, financing, transportation and mobile products and solutions.

Manheim pioneered in-lane vehicle auctions and has been an innovator in both digital and mobile auction platforms.  Manheim registers nearly 7 million used vehicles annually, facilitating transactions representing nearly $46 billion in value.  Manheim’s research and consulting arm, Manheim Consulting, provides industry-leading market intelligence and publishes the widely recognized annual Used Car Market Report.  The company offers dealer financing through NextGear Capital, Inc., and transportation services through Ready Auto Transport.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim has more than 20,000 employees in 121 worldwide sites and generates annual revenues of more than $2.5 billion.  A subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Manheim participates in “Go Green with Manheim,” the company’s sustainability program.

####

For further information: Lois Rossi, 678-645-2028