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ept. 24, 2025 – Sponsored by Bender Commercial
When a multigenerational family business prepares to change hands, the real‑estate component can become a decisive factor. Auto Body Specialties (ABS), founded in 1950 by Harley and Sallie Roddel in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed to their five children in 1980. The company expanded to Mitchell, Rapid City, Watertown, and Mankato, Minnesota.
Isaac Jorgensen of Bender Commercial recalls learning about ABS when he and Michael Bender assisted the firm’s CFO on a separate property deal. “We quickly understood the Roddel family’s legacy and the culture they’d built over 70 years,” Jorgensen says. When the family received two acquisition offers—one including the real estate and one excluding it—Bender Commercial was asked to help the siblings evaluate the value of their properties and the prevailing lease rates.
The siblings ultimately chose the offer that did not include the real estate. Bender Commercial then negotiated lease agreements with the buyer, Colours Inc., ensuring the properties remained attractive to investors while not impeding the sale. “Fast‑growing companies like Colours often prefer to allocate capital toward operations rather than purchase real‑estate assets,” Jorgensen explains.
After the sale, Bender Commercial applied its guidance to market the five ABS properties as a single portfolio. “We believed a bundled offering would appeal to local buyers and attract regional and national interest,” Jorgensen notes. The Roddels requested a discreet approach, so Bender’s network of 18 brokers targeted qualified investors. Within weeks, several offers emerged, and the properties were under contract roughly a year after the initial valuation.
Jim Roddel, co‑owner of ABS, praised the firm’s ability to generate competitive bids quickly. “Their scale and reach brought forward multiple prospective buyers, creating healthy competition,” he says.
Sale‑leasebacks are increasingly common for family businesses. Jorgensen observes, “Owners who have built successful operations often look to the real‑estate sale as a source of capital to reinvest in growth. The lease‑back structure offers flexibility and is highly sought after by investors because it typically includes favorable terms.”
In this case, the arrangement produced a win‑win‑win: Colours acquired a well‑established operation; the Roddels realized a second wind from the real‑estate sale; and investors gained a hands‑off asset with a high‑quality tenant.
Bender Commercial’s expertise lies in guiding owners through sale‑leasebacks tailored to their unique goals. “We’re not just about transactions; we build relationships, understand each client’s history and motivations, and use our network and knowledge to turn a conversation into a successful sale,” Jorgensen says.
Roddel shares his positive experience: “Bender was professional, considerate, and flexible. Isaac and Rob always prioritized our best interests and secured an excellent deal.”
To learn more about partnering with Bender Commercial, visit their website.
