We’re only a few days into the second half of 2023, and the pace of mergers and acquisition continues to be strong.

The latest one surfaced Thursday, as Safe-Guard Products International, a provider of branded protection products for the automotive, RV, powersports and marine industries announced it has acquired Dealer Solutions and Design (DSD) based in Duluth, Ga.

According to a news release, this move is Safe-Guard’s first acquisition, with executives saying the companies’ combined efforts will drive expanded service offerings for their retail partners nationwide.

Established in 2005, DSD created what it called the “Concept to Completion” approach to fixed operations of new and renovated dealership facilities.

DSD proved to be a critical partner to some of the country’s largest franchise dealerships, providing services on more than 1,000 facility projects to date.

Executives highlighted that DSD’s approach to fixed operation design, development, equipment specification and installation, and project management, coupled with Safe-Guard’s portfolio of products, will be an industry-first partnership.

“DSD has nearly two decades of success transforming dealerships into modern models of function and design,” Safe-Guard CEO Randy Barkowitz said in the news release. “With this acquisition, we will be able to offer our customers a positive customer experience from the initial point of sale all the way through the service experience.

“The combination creates unique capabilities for our retailer partners to maximize their customer and service opportunities,” Barkowitz continued.

The announcement also mentioned DSD chief executive officer Micheal Bolden and president and chief operating officer Clayton Terry will continue to manage DSD under Safe-Guard’s ownership.

“We have worked hard for nearly two decades to make sure we provide what our dealers need to achieve the highest level of success as they expand and modernize their service offerings,” Bolden said.

“As one of the leaders in the automotive industry, Safe-Guard embodies that same ideal and will expand our model to a significantly larger customer base. We share many of the same partners and I look forward to the opportunities this combined offering will bring,” Bolden went on to say.