As Clement Auto Group has continued its strategic expansion across the Midwest, they remain focused on building facilities that not only support the company’s growth, but also create long-term operational advantages.
That vision came to life with the opening of the group’s state-of-the-art, 63,000-square-foot service and reconditioning center in St. Charles, Missouri, in 2026. Designed to streamline operations across the dealership network and service customer pay, the facility combines collision repair, mechanical service and vehicle reconditioning under one roof. A key investment within the facility was the installation of an Ultra XL Paint Booth, two Ultra XD Paint Booths and an Ultra XD Paint Mix Room from Global Finishing Solutions (GFS) — supplied by local distributor ATI.
“Every investment we make is a step toward strengthening the bottom line,” stated President and Owner Penuel “Raj” Clement. Long-term value is created when bringing a much-needed service to the area. Clement saw this opportunity with his investment in GFS finishing equipment.
“Clement Auto Group has experienced significant growth over the past several years. We now operate the sixth-largest group in the greater St. Louis area and are quickly expanding,” answered Clement Service Center Manager Rich Martin. “Every investment we make is centered around creating operational efficiencies while delivering an exceptional customer experience. Our collision and reconditioning center was designed to support that vision.
“Today, more than 350 vehicles move through the facility each week. Vehicles enter through our service department for a comprehensive multi-point inspection, and if collision or cosmetic repairs are needed, they’re immediately routed into the body shop. With collision repair, mechanical service and reconditioning all operating from one campus, we’re able to significantly reduce cycle times and return vehicles to customers and our dealerships — faster than ever.”
“Every investment we make is evaluated through the lens of quality, performance and long-term return. We don’t buy equipment simply to meet today’s needs. We invest in infrastructure that will support our business for years to come. GFS has built a reputation for reliability and exceptional performance, and that is aligned with the standards we expect across our organization. Our collision leadership team also brought decades of experience working with GFS equipment, which reinforced our confidence that we were making the right investment. It was a decision based on both proven performance and a shared commitment to excellence.”
“Our technicians appreciate the lighting, airflow, ease of operation and overall quality of the booths. The equipment feels like it’s been designed by painters who truly understand the craft, and that attention to detail translates into greater consistency, productivity and repair quality for our customers.”
“One of the strategic decisions we made was investing in the Ultra XL booth. Very few collision centers in the St. Louis market have the capability to accommodate oversized commercial vehicles, such as Sprinter vans, Amazon delivery vans and FedEx trucks.
“That investment has created a meaningful competitive advantage. Since opening, we’ve secured local commercial fleet business, including Amazon delivery vehicles, while continuing to support the growing needs of our dealership network. Today, the facility processes approximately 15 to 20 vehicles each day, and the Ultra XL booth has proven to be an exceptional investment.”
“Our growth strategy has always been centered on thoughtful expansion supported by strong operational infrastructure. As Clement Auto Group continues to acquire and develop dealerships, facilities like Clement Service Center will play an increasingly important role in supporting our network.
“We’re committed to continuously refining our operations, investing in technology and expanding our capabilities so we’re positioned to serve both our customers and our dealership partners for many years to come.”
Learn more: clementautogroup.com
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