Hewitt’s Auto Body and Collision, a business that has operated in Yarmouth for nearly 50 years, was bought Tuesday by POC Collision Inc.

Owner Mike Hewitt, who founded the business in 1966, intends to retire to Florida with his wife.

“I started the business in 1966 working solo the first year,” said Hewitt in a news release announcing the sale. “The hourly retail rate was $4.50 and I struggled for years to make a living but did not give up. I slowly started adding additional employees, one at a time including my two sons Kevin and Chris, eventually ending up with 12 great employees and a successful business. I attribute my success to my employees. They seem like family to me and I try to treat them that way. I would do anything I could to help them and they did the same for me. A successful business is only as good as their employees.”

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Hewitt’s is the fourth local auto repair shop to come under the POC Collision umbrella, which includes Coleman’s in Auburn, Caron’s in Lewiston and R.P. Bell in Saco. POC will manage all operations, staff and materials.

“This is a wonderful move for POC,” said POC owner Phil O’Connor, “Hewitt’s is a hugely successful shop and it was the perfect time to add to our already successful line of stores.”

Hewitt’s has Direct Repair relationships with most of the major insurance carriers and is an I Car certified repair center. It also owns its own loaner vehicles and flatbed tow truck.

POC will retain all of Hewitt’s 11 employees, including shop foreman Chris Hewitt.

POC, based in Saco, was founded in 2006.

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