HOUSTON, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Leslie Doggett Auto Group is proud to announce the acquisition of Russell & Smith Ford, Honda, and Collision Center operations, as well as one of the nation's top five wholesale Ford and Honda parts distribution businesses. Located just one mile south of Houston's world-renowned Texas Medical Center at the 610 South Loop and Main Street, the acquisition was made from the Mike Smith and Chase Smith families.

For more than a century, Russell & Smith has been a cornerstone of the Houston community. Since its founding in 1917, the dealership group has built a stellar reputation for its integrity and deep community involvement, becoming a premier name for Ford and Honda vehicles. The business generates over $300 million in annual revenue from its sales, service, parts, and collision operations, supported by a dedicated team of 226 full-time employees and 58 highly skilled technicians. Doggett is incredibly proud to carry on the remarkable legacy that the Smith family has cultivated and nurtured for generations.

This acquisition further strengthens Doggett's position in the automotive and heavy equipment industries, bringing Doggett's total dealership/location count to 61 including 12 automotive dealerships throughout Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana and the State of Chihuahua, Mexico.

"This growth has been attributed to Doggett's ability to empower and delight the customer," said Jason Mosley, vice president of the Doggett Automotive Group. Mosley expressed his enthusiasm for adding these two dealerships to the company's expanding family of dealerships. "Our standards of service are extreme," he said. "We spend an inordinate amount of time hiring and training driven and committed folks to create the 'Doggett Difference.' A great customer experience is everything to us."

Mosley continued that with three Ford and two Honda dealerships, Doggett will have the best inventory in the Greater Houston market, ensuring customers can find their perfect car or truck. Mosley added, "Our team is excited to deliver the 'Doggett Difference' to every person who walks through our doors. The 'Doggett Difference' has made a true impact, earning us the coveted Ford President's Award four years in a row, and leading us to being honored as the Fastest Growing Ford Dealership in the nation."

The Doggett Automotive Group is a division of the Doggett Equipment Services Group, one of North America's largest family-owned dealership enterprises. The company operates across six divisions, generating over $3 billion in annual revenue and employing over 2,900 professionals, including more than 700 world-class technicians.

Doggett Equipment Services Group Operating Divisions Include:

1. Construction & Forestry Divisions

Exclusive John Deere C&F dealer for Louisiana and East/South Texas

   -- 18 John Deere Construction & Forestry dealerships 
 
   -- John Deere: #1 in forestry and #2 in construction equipment in North 
      America 

2. Material Handling Division

Exclusive Toyota Material Handling dealer for Greater Houston, Beaumont, San Antonio & Southern Texas, and Chihuahua, Mexico

   -- 8 dealerships specializing in forklifts, racking, warehouse automation & 
      robotics 
 
   -- Toyota: #1 forklift manufacturer in North America and globally 

3. Highway & Severe Duty Truck Division

Exclusive Freightliner dealer for the State of Arkansas, San Antonio, Pharr, Laredo, Austin, and El Paso

   -- 9 Freightliner, 5 Western Star dealerships, 2 Vernon Gene's (Dallas and 
      El Paso) and #1 Great Dane trailer dealer in the U.S. 
 
   -- Specializing in highway, vocational, and severe duty new and used truck 
      sales, leasing, parts, and service 
 
   -- Freightliner (a Daimler Benz company): #1 heavy-duty truck manufacturer 
      in North America 

4. Crane Services Division

Exclusive full-line Link-Belt dealer for the State of Louisiana

   -- Specializing in the sale, rental, parts, and service of rough terrain, 
      telescopic, crawler, and truck cranes 

5. Doggett Automotive Division

Twelve automotive dealerships including:

   -- 3 Ford, 2 Honda, and 1 each of Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lincoln, 
      Nissan, VW, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram 
 
   -- Serving Houston, East Texas and Beaumont, TX - proudly delivering to your 
      home and office 

6. Saddlebrook Equity & Management ("SEAM")

Saddlebrook Equity & Management (SEAM) is a family-owned and operated entity that makes controlling equity investments in a diverse range of industries, including industrial businesses, software, manufacturing, and other select ventures.

   -- SEAM's investment approach and operational expertise are built on the 
      legacy of its sister company, Doggett Equipment Services Group. Since its 
      founding in 1993, the company has successfully acquired over 100 
      dealerships and enterprises through 37 acquisitions, all of which 
      continue to thrive today. This track record and consistent precedent over 
      time demonstrates SEAM's commitment to ensuring every business it 
      acquires becomes or remains a successful, industry-leading enterprise. 
 
   -- SEAM acquires assets and businesses through various channels, including 
      public company divestitures and carve-outs, private sales from 
      family-owned or entrepreneurial businesses, and financial restructurings. 
      Known for being a creative and reliable partner, SEAM acts quickly and 
      confidently to transform these acquisitions into strong, independent 
      companies. The company's extensive track record highlights its ability to 
      execute complex acquisitions and successfully cultivate and operate 
      challenging manufacturing and industrial businesses. 
 
   -- SEAM is highly selective in its investments, focusing on a small number 
      of companies. This approach allows SEAM to build genuine partnerships 
      with the management teams of its portfolio companies, who then share in 
      the wealth created from these investments. 

Doggett remains fully family-owned with no private equity or outside investors, proudly maintaining its independence while continuing to grow across the automotive, heavy equipment, material handling, and industrial sectors. For more information, please visit doggett.com

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SOURCE Leslie Doggett Industries

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September 18, 2025 16:13 ET (20:13 GMT)