Automotive
“Everyone at KPA is very client-focused. If I call someone with a problem, even if it’s not in their domain area, they find me an answer.”
Client Profile
Beck Automotive Group covers all automotive needs in the Palatka, Florida area, priding itself in offering a wide selection of both new and used vehicles from top brands such as Ford, Chevrolet, RAM, and more. As a family-owned group of auto dealerships, they’re made up of a wholesale parts store, a stand-alone repair facility, a car wash, and a collision center.
We spoke with Wayne McClain, the Vice President of Beck Automotive Group. McClain is an industry icon, with decades of experience spanning across companies such as Mobil Oil Corporation, Miller Brewing Company, and the largest Toyota distributor in the World (JM Family Enterprises).
Challenges
Like many dealership groups, Beck Automotive faced rising insurance premiums, potential EPA compliance risks, and the constant challenge of keeping employees safe in a high-risk industry. Without a consistent safety program and third-party oversight, the risk of costly workers’ compensation claims, regulatory fines, and operational disruptions can be significant.
As a multi-location automotive group with service centers, collision repair, parts distribution, and fuel storage, they needed a compliance partner who could not only identify risks but also help them implement actionable solutions across every site. Beck Automotive Group was looking for a true partner in safety that would help them streamline cost savings and avoid unnecessary accidents.
“I teach classes at other dealership groups now, and if they don’t have a safety program like someone from KPA coming in, you can tell, and it’s apparent the extra costs that dealership will incur,” shares McClain.
Solution
Since signing on in 2017, Beck Automotive Group has experienced a myriad of benefits across its organization by partnering with KPA and utilizing multiple of our product offerings and services. The
results speak for themselves: for four consecutive years (2022–2025), Beck Automotive has earned increasing workers’ comp insurance rebates, driven by fewer claims and reduced injury rates (and these rebates have increased each year).
We tie the increase in rebates directly back to the partnership with KPA. When your field reps come in, review our facilities and make suggestions, we take it to heart and make the changes. By following the KPA guidelines, our employee injuries are down, and our work comp cases are down, and it’s worked again and again year over year.”
– Wayne McClain, Vice President
After every KPA inspection, the Beck Automotive internal team conducts meetings internally with their ops teams as well as conducts safety talks to ensure they’re meeting the recommendations of the KPA field reps. It’s saved them on multiple insurance costs over the years, prevented unwanted accidents, and more. In fact, KPA’s role goes beyond injury prevention. They ensure fuel, oil, and water tanks meet all regulations—helping Beck consistently pass state inspections without violations or fines.
For example, McClain brought up the importance of regulations on their tanks (think gas tanks, oil tanks, water tanks) and how having KPA’s partnership there as well has made a huge difference. With KPA
ensuring all tanks meet regulations, by the time the inspectors from the state come through, the Beck Automotive team has always passed with flying colors. One less thing to worry about!
As an added bonus, McClain touts the responsiveness and friendly customer care of the KPA team, which also contributes to a healthy long-term partnership. “The other thing I like about KPA, when we’ve changed field reps, I was able to call my changing rep’s boss and get a call back when my main rep was on leave. Everyone at KPA is very client-focused. If I call someone with a problem, even if it’s not in their domain area, they find me an answer,” shares McClain.
Results
Since partnering with KPA eight years ago, Beck Automotive has achieved measurable, year-overyear improvements in safety and compliance. Most notably, they have received four consecutive years of increasing workers’ compensation insurance rebates (2022–2025), directly tied to reduced injury rates and fewer claims.
The organization has:
- Reduced employee injury frequency and severity through regular on-site safety audits and prompt corrective actions.
- Maintained full compliance with EPA regulations for fuel, oil, and water tanks, consistently passing state inspections without violations or fines.
- Avoided major accidents that could have resulted in costly downtime, legal exposure, or reputational damage.
- Lowered insurance costs not just through rebates but also by preventing premium increases.
By embedding KPA’s recommendations into internal operations, Beck Automotive has turned compliance into a cost-saving advantage. McClain credits this proactive, partnership-driven approach for keeping his workforce safer, his facilities compliant, and his bottom line stronger year after year.
