Merger-and-acquisition activities surfaced again this week in the F&I space.

Brown & Brown chief acquisitions officer Scott Penny and DealerMax owners Jim Maxim Jr. and Jim Maxim Sr. announced that Brown & Brown Dealer Services (BBDS) has acquired the assets of DealerMax.

DealerMax, founded in 1982 by Jim Maxim Sr. as Maxim Automotive, serves dealer customers in Pennsylvania and throughout the Northeast.

Under the leadership of Jim Maxim, Jr., DealerMax has continued to enhance the success of the F&I departments othrough training and tailored F&I product offerings.

According to a news release, the DealerMax team will join BBDS and continue to operate from its offices in Berwyn, Pa. The team will report to Robert Hunter, president of automotive F&I.

Brown & Brown is a leading insurance brokerage firm with approximately 16,000 teammates in more than 500 locations worldwide, delivering risk management solutions to individuals and businesses since 1939.

“We have had a long, collaborative relationship with the Maxim family in the F&I automotive industry,” BBDS president Mike Neal said in the news release. “We are excited to have the highly experienced DealerMax team and the valuable DealerMax customers become part of Brown & Brown Dealer Services. We look forward to combining the skill and ability of DealerMax with our broader BBDS team.”

The announcement also mentioned Jim Maxim Jr. will remain with and support the team during a transition period.

“We deeply value the Brown & Brown relationship and our shared vision, culture and commitment to excellence. My father, Jim Maxim Sr., and I feel that BBDS is the right home for our employees and customers, and it was clearly evident that this was the right choice for the future of our business,” Maxim Jr. said.

“We are honored to become a part of the Brown & Brown team, and we look forward to continuing to provide unparalleled support, training and products to all of our dealership customers,” he went on to say.