GreatWater 360 Auto Care Reaches 150 Locations with Minnesota Expansion

Acquisition of Leighton’s Garage Marks Entry into 10th State

Grand Rapids, MI — March 4, 2026 —GreatWater 360 Auto Care (“GreatWater”), a growing multi-state operator of full-service automotive repair shops, today announced the acquisition of Leighton’s Garage, a well-established shop in the Twin Cities metro area. The addition brings GreatWater’s total network to 150 locations nationwide and marks its entry into Minnesota, the company’s tenth state.

 The milestone reflects GreatWater’s continued execution of its disciplined growth strategy focused on partnering with high-quality independent operators and integrating them into a scalable platform. “Reaching 150 locations underscores the strength and repeatability of our operating model,” said Jim Dykstra, Chief Executive Officer of GreatWater 360 Auto Care. “We remain focused on thoughtful geographic expansion, operational excellence, and supporting the teams and communities that have built these businesses.”

GreatWater’s scale supports real-time visibility into shop-level performance and a disciplined field cadence. “We've invested heavily in operational initiatives that have powered GreatWater's growth,” said Scott Anderson, President & Chief Operating Officer of GreatWater 360 Auto Care. “Our centralized operating system and performance tools help us standardize best practices, improve turnaround times, and elevate the customer experience—while still empowering local teams to run great shops.”

GreatWater operates across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kentucky, Texas, Missouri, and Minnesota. The company provides its locations with centralized support across recruiting, training, procurement, finance, marketing, and technology, enabling shop-level teams to focus on delivering high-quality service to customers.

GreatWater is backed by its financial sponsor, Kinderhook Industries, whose partnership has supported continued investment in infrastructure, talent, and strategic acquisitions. Kinderhook’s long-term capital and industry expertise have been instrumental in scaling the platform while maintaining a focus on sustainable growth and strong local leadership.

The addition of Leighton’s Garage further strengthens GreatWater’s presence in the Midwest and expands its ability to serve customers across attractive,high-density markets. The company intends to continue pursuing acquisitions of established, community-oriented repair shops that align with its operating philosophy and long-term vision.

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About GreatWater 360 Auto Care

GreatWater360 Auto Care is a multi-state operator of full-service automotive repair shops. The company partners with established independent operators and integrates them into a centralized support platform designed to enhance operational performance while preserving local brand identity and community relationships.

Are you a shop owner thinking about what’s next? Contact us to learn how GreatWater can help you build a future that honors your past at www.greatwater360autocare.com/sell-your-shop

About Kinderhook Industries

Founded in 2003, Kinderhook Industries, LLC is a private investment firm that has raised over $10 billion of committed capital. The company has made in excess of 500 investments and follow-on acquisitions since inception. Kinderhook’s investment philosophy is predicated on matching differentiated, growth-oriented investment opportunities with financial expertise and their proprietary network of operating partners. The company’s focus is on middle market businesses with defensible niche market positioning in the healthcare services, environmental & industrial services, and light manufacturing & automotive sectors.

For more information, please visit: www.kinderhook.com

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