MTA snaps up IT companies

The Motor Trade Association (MTA) has taken over two leading automotive IT businesses and is pledging to invest in their future growth.

The purchase of Systime Automotive Solutions (SAS) and SAM, which took effect from December 16, includes all the companies’ New Zealand and Australian operations.

The SAM system workshop and service management solution runs about 50 per cent of New Zealand’s independent motor industry service and repair businesses, while SAS is described as the world’s most popular dealer and distributor management system.

Dave Harris, president of the MTA, and David Murdoch, chief executive of SAM and SAS’s parent company the TSI Group, say it is an exciting step for the organisations.

Harris explains the MTA board saw an opportunity to keep the businesses in New Zealand hands and provide the funding to help them move forward. 

“SAM and SAS have always been great products, supported by knowledgeable people,” he adds. 

“Around half of the MTA’s members already use SAM or SAS. MTA wants to build on [founder] Dave Hendl’s track record of innovation and delivering smart technical solutions for the automotive sector.

“We’re prepared to invest to ensure these businesses can grow and modernise as Dave would want and remain at the cutting edge of supporting automotive businesses.”

Murdoch describes the change of ownership as a positive move for the company.

“I’m incredibly excited to lead SAM and SAS in this journey with the MTA,” he adds.

“Joining forces with the organisation at the heart of our industry presents a huge opportunity for growth and to improve our services for all customers, new and existing.

“MTA is strongly supportive of our strategic vision for the group, which is to become the fastest growing and most respected automotive software company in Australasia.

“My feeling is that this move only makes our prospects of achieving this vision even more realistic and tangible.”