Universal Distribution Group
Universal Distribution Group distributes heavy-duty automotive and collision shop equipment — lifts, paint booths, collision repair tools, and lubrication systems — to dealerships, MSO collision centers, fleet operators, and independent repair shops across the Carolinas, with installation, preventative maintenance, and shop design services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersCharlotte, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Universal Distribution Group does
Universal Distribution Group is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based distributor of heavy-duty automotive and collision shop equipment, founded in 2008 and now operating as part of the AutoTech Solutions platform following its June 2025 acquisition by private equity firm Brixey & Meyer Capital. The company supplies automotive dealerships, multi-shop collision operators (MSOs), independent repair shops, fleet and transit facilities, industrial paint operations, and quick lube/tire shops with nine equipment categories spanning heavy-duty systems, storage/workstations, exhaust removal, lubrication/oil systems, wheel service and ADAS equipment, compressed air systems, collision equipment, paint booths/finishing systems, and automotive lifts. Its go-to-market is enterprise field sales with direct B2B distribution, complemented by installation, preventative maintenance, repair, and CAD-based shop design/buildout services delivered by factory-trained technicians across the Carolinas and broader multi-state platform.
The business model is primarily hardware sales (equipment distribution) augmented by high-margin recurring service revenue from preventative maintenance contracts, installations/upfits, and shop design consulting. Pricing is quote-based for commercial customers and not publicly disclosed. Universal DG is one of four regional distributors (alongside DHI Equipment, Professional Maintenance and Equipment Inc., and Smith Equipment Solutions) consolidated under the AutoTech Solutions brand, with manufacturer partnerships with Rotary, Hunter Engineering, GFS, Pro Spot, Champion, Robinair, Graco, Quincy Compressor, and others supporting authorized distribution rights. Founder Josh Lyerly retained partial ownership and continues in a leadership role post-acquisition. The company has no disclosed AI/ML, software, or data products, and operates purely in physical equipment distribution and field services.
Universal Distribution Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Universal Distribution Group
- Legal name
- AutoTech Solutions LLC
- Website
- https://universaldg.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Universal Distribution Group distributes heavy-duty automotive and collision shop equipment — lifts, paint booths, collision repair tools, and lubrication systems — to dealerships, MSO collision centers, fleet operators, and independent repair shops across the Carolinas, with installation, preventative maintenance, and shop design services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Universal Distribution Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Shop Equipment Distribution
- NAICS
- Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42385), Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers (42312)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Motor Vehicles & Motor Vehicle Parts & Supplies (5010), Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Tools, shop equipment & garage supplies distribution (diagnostic tools, lifts, compressors, PPE) (CRAOANAG)
Keywords
Where Universal Distribution Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Charlotte
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Universal Distribution Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Equipment Distribution: Distribution of automotive shop equipment including heavy-duty equipment, collision repair solutions, lifts, paint booths, and related automotive equipment to commercial customers including dealerships, collision centers, and independent repair shops.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
Universal Distribution Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Universal Distribution Group distributes automotive shop equipment — including heavy-duty equipment, automotive lifts, paint booths, collision repair equipment, wheel service and ADAS systems, compressed air systems, lubrication systems, exhaust removal systems, and storage/workstations — to commercial customers such as dealerships, collision centers, fleet facilities, and independent repair shops. The company complements equipment distribution with installation, repair, preventative maintenance, and shop design consulting services delivered by factory-trained technicians across a regional footprint from Michigan to the Carolinas.
Product overview
Universal Distribution Group operates as part of AutoTech Solutions, a unified platform providing integrated automotive and collision equipment solutions combining equipment distribution, installation, repair, and facility design services. The company offers 9 product categories spanning heavy-duty equipment, storage/workstations, exhaust removal systems, lubrication/oil systems, wheel service/ADAS equipment, compressed air systems, collision equipment, paint booths/finishing systems, and automotive lifts. Service offerings complement the product portfolio with equipment repair/support, preventative maintenance programs, installations/facility buildouts, collision-center solutions, and shop design/consulting. The company serves automotive dealerships, multi-shop collision operators (MSOs), independent repair shops, fleet/transit/HD shops, industrial paint operations, and quick lube/tire shops across Michigan to the Carolinas. Universal DG was acquired by Brixey & Meyer Capital alongside other equipment distributors (DHI Equipment, Professional Maintenance and Equipment Inc., Smith Equipment) to form the consolidated AutoTech Solutions platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Heavy Duty Equipment Equipment designed for heavy-duty automotive and commercial vehicle service applications, supporting fleet facilities and industrial shops.
- Storage & Workstations Organizational storage solutions and workstation configurations for automotive shop environments.
- Exhaust Removal & Emissions Systems Systems designed to capture and remove vehicle exhaust fumes and shop emissions to maintain safe working environments.
- Lubrication & Oil Systems Equipment for managing and dispensing lubricants and oils in automotive service settings.
- Wheel Service & ADAS Equipment Wheel service equipment including tire changers and wheel balancers, as well as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) calibration tools.
- Compressed Air Systems Compressed air generation and distribution equipment for powering automotive tools and systems.
- Collision Equipment Specialized equipment for collision repair including frame racks, welding systems, and structural repair tools.
- Paint Booths & Finishing Systems Enclosed painting chambers and finishing systems for automotive paint and refinish operations.
- Automotive Lifts Vehicle lifts including two-post lifts, four-post lifts, and heavy-duty lifts for automotive service and repair.
- Service, Repair and Equipment Support Expert diagnostics and high-quality repairs delivered by factory-trained technicians to restore safe and efficient operation across service departments, collision centers, fleet facilities, and independent repair shops.
- Preventative Maintenance Programs Scheduled maintenance programs designed to extend equipment life, reduce unexpected failures, and support consistent shop productivity by tailoring service to each facility's usage patterns.
- Installations, Upfits & Facility Buildouts Complete installation services for lifts, compressors, paint booths, lubrication systems, storage systems, and more, supported by professional Computer-Aided Design layouts and construction coordination.
- Collision-Center Solutions Supply and support for specialized collision equipment including paint booths, welding systems, curing technology, frame racks, and dustless sanding equipment.
- Shop Design & Consulting Workflow optimization, code-compliant layouts, and detailed Computer-Aided Design and three-dimensional planning for service departments and collision centers.
Companies that use Universal Distribution Group
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Universal Distribution Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Universal Distribution Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Universal Distribution Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mohawk Lifts: Manufacturer of automotive lifts (two-post, four-post, scissor, and parking lifts) sold through dealer networks. A direct competing OEM in the lift category Universal DG distributes and installs.
- Challenger Lifts: Manufacturer of vehicle lifts and accessories distributed through regional dealer networks serving dealerships and independent repair shops. Comparable product overlap and channel model to Universal DG.
- Matco Tools: Mobile van-based distributor of professional tools, diagnostics, and shop equipment to automotive technicians and service shops. Closely mirrors Universal DG's direct-sales B2B motion and customer base.
- Gray Manufacturing Company: Manufacturer of vehicle lifts, jacks, and material handling equipment for automotive service facilities. Overlaps with Universal DG's lift and shop equipment product lines.
- Cornwell Quality Tools: Mobile tool and equipment distributor serving automotive repair professionals through a direct franchise dealer network. Operates with a similar direct-to-shop sales and service model.
- Stertil-Koni: Specialist manufacturer of heavy-duty vehicle lifts serving transit authorities, municipalities, and commercial fleets. Directly overlaps with Universal DG's fleet, transit, and HD shop equipment offering.
- Snap-on Incorporated: Global distributor of tools, diagnostics, and shop equipment to automotive professionals via franchise mobile vans and direct sales. Highly comparable B2B distribution model targeting the same dealership, independent shop, and fleet end customers.
Broad incumbents
- Hunter Engineering Company: Manufacturer of alignment systems, wheel balancers, tire changers, and ADAS calibration equipment. Competes in the same alignment and ADAS calibration equipment category Universal DG distributes.
- BendPak: Manufacturer of automotive lifts, parking lifts, and wheel service equipment. A key competing brand and OEM for lifts and shop equipment that overlap Universal DG's heavy-duty and light-duty product portfolio.
- Vehicle Service Group (Rotary): Manufacturer of Rotary and other branded vehicle lifts, wheel service, and shop equipment. Competes broadly with the product lines Universal DG distributes, and operates both direct and through dealer networks.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Universal Distribution Group social profiles
Digital presenceUniversal Distribution Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Universal Distribution Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Universal Distribution Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Universal Distribution Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Universal Distribution Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Universal Distribution Group
What does Universal Distribution Group do?
Universal Distribution Group distributes automotive shop equipment — including heavy-duty equipment, automotive lifts, paint booths, collision repair equipment, wheel service and ADAS systems, compressed air systems, lubrication systems, exhaust removal systems, and storage/workstations — to commercial customers such as dealerships, collision centers, fleet facilities, and independent repair shops. The company complements equipment distribution with installation, repair, preventative maintenance, and shop design consulting services delivered by factory-trained technicians across a regional footprint from Michigan to the Carolinas.
Is Universal Distribution Group a public or private company?
Universal Distribution Group is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently acquired.
When was Universal Distribution Group founded?
Universal Distribution Group was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Universal Distribution Group based?
Universal Distribution Group is headquartered in Charlotte, United States, in the North America region.
How does Universal Distribution Group make money?
One revenue line is on record: equipment Distribution.
Who are Universal Distribution Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mohawk Lifts, Challenger Lifts, Matco Tools, Gray Manufacturing Company, Cornwell Quality Tools, Stertil-Koni and Snap-on Incorporated. Broad incumbents are Hunter Engineering Company, BendPak and Vehicle Service Group (Rotary).
Does Universal Distribution Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Universal Distribution Group.
What industry is Universal Distribution Group in?
Universal Distribution Group's product category is Automotive Shop Equipment Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAOANAG, Tools, shop equipment & garage supplies distribution (diagnostic tools, lifts, compressors, PPE). Its NAICS code is 42385 and its SIC code is 5010.