If you own a car, chances are a Ziebart product helps to protect its appearance.
Automotive detailing, window tinting, paint protection film, fabric and rust protection, spray-on bed liner, glass repair, scratch repair and vehicle accessories are some of the products used by dealerships and made available to retail customers at Ziebart franchises.
The original Ziebart opened its doors in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959 by Kurt Ziebart, a German auto mechanic who developed a process to stop corrosion.
The company began franchising in 1963. Today, there are approximately 400 locations across the globe. Out of the 75 stores located in the U.S., three of the top five high-performing stores are located in the Rochester region.
All four of these top-tier franchise stores are owned by Monroe County Automotive Services, Inc., a company run by Anthony (Tony) Mattiacio and his four children: Ryan, Zach and Mark Mattiacio and Meghan Pfenniger.
“We’re car protection experts” says Senior Vice President Ryan Mattiacio. “We protect cars from rust, fading paint, stained fabrics, stone chips and more. We keep your new car feeling new for as long as you own it.”
Turning four stores in the Ziebart franchise into a family business started approximately 30 years ago. Tony Mattiacio worked at the Syracuse, New York, location. The Syracuse owner proposed that Mattiacio move to Rochester, New York, and take over the two stores there. Mattiacio packed up his family, moved to Rochester and brought new life to fading locations.
While the two franchise stores were gaining momentum, Mattiacio brought his children into the business. He had a specific plan for his children to follow in order to run a successful store.
That plan started with placing sons Ryan and Zach in shop. “We learned how to apply rust proofing, sealants and manage labor,” says Ryan, who spent about six years working with customers’ cars. “We learned all the ins and outs of the shop.”
After spending time in the shop, the brothers moved into sales positions in which they were responsible for managing phone calls, describing products and attracting customers. The next step was a promotion to sales management.
Pfenniger began her experience in Ziebart with customer service before moving into accounting. Third brother Mark enlisted with the Marines out of high school and, after serving, he decided Ziebart would make an excellent career.
Clearly, it was a smart move for Tony to make the company a family business. Today, all four of the Mattiacio children are senior vice presidents of Monroe County Automotive Services, Inc., an expanding empire. In 2014, Ziebart opened in Canadaigua, and Batavia in 2015. Buffalo and Webster are eyed as future growth opportunities.
Ryan emphasizes how hard his father and his siblings worked to help the company grow and thrive. He attributes the success to the fact that they all have first-hand experience and understand every aspect of the business.
”Ziebart is what we live for,” Ryan says. “We put a lot of time into Ziebart because it has blessed us to have a stable income and support our families.
