AAMCO Transmissions
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive maintenance franchising |
| Founded | 1957 |
| Founder | Robert Morgan, Anthony A. Martino |
| Headquarters | Horsham, Pennsylvania , United States |
Key people | Bruce Chidsey (President) |
| Products | Transmission repair and comprehensive car care services |
| Parent | American Driveline Systems, Inc. |
| Website | www |
Overview
AAMCO Transmissions Inc. operates as a prominent American franchise specializing in transmission repairs. It was established in 1957 in Philadelphia by Robert Morgan and Anthony A. Martino, who combined the initials of their names to create the brand name AAMCO, which later inspired the name MAACO. While Martino eventually departed from AAMCO to focus on developing the MAACO autobody-shop franchise, Morgan remained actively involved, with his son Keith Morgan later assuming the role of CEO.
In 2006, American Capital acquired the company. Subsequently, in January 2017, American Driveline Systems—owner of both the AAMCO and Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care franchises—was purchased by Transom Capital Group. Later that same year, Icahn Enterprises L.P. (NASDAQ: IEP) announced the acquisition of American Driveline Systems via a wholly owned subsidiary. Over the years, AAMCO has maintained a strong presence in the industry and has frequently been recognized on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list.
Corporate Details
- Trade Name: AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care
- Type: Private Company
- Founded: 1957 (originally as AAMCO Auto and Truck Repair)
- Founders: Robert Morgan, Anthony A. Martino
- Headquarters: Horsham, Pennsylvania, United States
- Key Executive: Bruce Chidsey (President)
- Industry: Automotive Maintenance Franchising
- Annual Revenue: $450 million
- Locations: 527 across North America
- Parent Company: American Driveline Systems, Inc.
- Products/Services: Transmission repair and comprehensive car care services
- Website: www.aamco.com
History
Anthony A. Martino began his work on automatic transmission repairs while operating out of a leased area within an Esso station in Philadelphia. In 1957, he established the Anthony A. Martino Company, known as AAMCO, in Philadelphia under the original title AAMCO Auto and Truck Repair. This name was selected not only to incorporate the founder’s initials but also to secure a favorable position in the Yellow pages directory listings of that era. Together with partners Richard Silva and Walter D'lutz, Martino expanded by opening several additional locations throughout the Philadelphia region. Due to the frequent malfunctions and technical challenges associated with automatic transmissions at the time, Martino soon chose to eliminate “Auto and Truck Repair” from the company name and concentrate exclusively on transmission services—a focus maintained until 2007.
In 1962, Robert Morgan introduced Martino to the idea of creating a nationwide network of transmission repair outlets under the AAMCO brand. Embracing this concept, Martino rebranded the existing shops managed alongside Silva and DeLutz as AAMCO stores. The first franchise was launched in 1963 when Ivan and Jack Ginninger opened an AAMCO facility in Newark, New Jersey.
In March 2006, AAMCO merged with Cottman Transmission, with American Capital acquiring AAMCO and relocating its headquarters from Philadelphia to nearby Horsham, Pennsylvania.
Partly due to improvements in automatic transmission durability leading to longer intervals between repairs during the mid-2000s, the company rebranded itself as AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care. Presently, AAMCO stands as the largest global franchisor specializing in transmission repair and general automotive service, boasting over 600 franchised locations across the United States and Canada.
AAMCO is also recognized for its memorable television and radio advertisements, which conclude with a voice announcing "AAMCO, double-A [car horn beeps twice] M-C-O."
The brand has notably utilized celebrity endorsers extensively in its marketing campaigns and was among the pioneers in featuring a famous personality in television commercials. The first paid spokesperson for the company was Zsa Zsa Gabor.
References
- "AAMCO Transmissions Coast To Coast". Evening Independent. August 7, 1970. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
External links
- Franchises
- American companies founded in 1957
- Retail businesses established in 1957
- Automotive repair service providers in the United States
- Companies headquartered in Philadelphia
- Businesses located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
- Private equity-owned companies
- 1957 establishments in Pennsylvania
- Automotive repair shops of the United States