Bill Heard Disaster

[mitchella81]

Hi Everyone, Well it looks like the nations troubled economy has struck Columbus once again. Columbus based Bill Heard Enterprises closed down all 14 of it's dealerships yesterday. Including it's Columbus location. Locally the collapse has put over 300 people out of work. Bill Heard operated Chevrolet, Cadallic, and Saab Dealerships in Columbus. Despite its Columbus operations Bill Heard also has locations in Atlanta, Huntsville, AL, Nevada, Tennessee, Texas, Flordia, and Arizona. If anyone comes across any information or updates about Bill Heard please post it here.

Well despite the bad news I have found that Bill Heard is not completly shutting down they are leaving their Trucking sales division open in Columbus which is on North Veterans Parkway near the Hughston Hospital. Also Local car dealer Carl Gregory who operates several dealerships throughout the southeast is currently in negotiations to buy out Bill Heard. Gregory currently has Honda, Hyundia, Volkswagon, Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep Dealerships in Columbus at two different auto malls. Many hope that by leaving the trucking division open that Bill Heard may oneday return to the general automobile dealership type of business.

[Columbus1984]

Hi Everyone, Well it looks like the nations troubled economy has struck Columbus once again. Columbus based Bill Heard Enterprises closed down all 14 of it's dealerships yesterday. Including it's Columbus location. Locally the collapse has put over 300 people out of work. Bill Heard operated Chevrolet, Cadallic, and Saab Dealerships in Columbus. Despite its Columbus operations Bill Heard also has locations in Atlanta, Huntsville, AL, Nevada, Tennessee, Texas, Flordia, and Arizona. If anyone comes across any information or updates about Bill Heard please post it here.

Well despite the bad news I have found that Bill Heard is not completly shutting down they are leaving their Trucking sales division open in Columbus which is on North Veterans Parkway near the Hughston Hospital. Also Local car dealer Carl Gregory who operates several dealerships throughout the southeast is currently in negotiations to buy out Bill Heard. Gregory currently has Honda, Hyundia, Volkswagon, Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep Dealerships in Columbus at two different auto malls. Many hope that by leaving the trucking division open that Bill Heard may oneday return to the general automobile dealership type of business.

[mitchella81]

I expect another large car dealership will come in and buy the Columbus dealership out since it is the largest. We just have to eait and see. This economy is unreal. We are at the brink of a depression in my opinion.

[aboutmetro]

You know, there have been a couple of great successes in family run businesses that were able to turn the corner and become national and international companies - TSYS and AFLAC. But there have been so many more that for one reason or another just wouldn't or couldn't make the leap. Bill Heard stood at the door for a long time as the biggest Chevy dealer but refused to recognize the fragility of doing that and of not keeping his inventory fresh and getting the practices under control that landed them in court and investigated more than once. Still, Mr. Heard's philanthropy was felt in Columbus not least at the $5 million Heard Theatre at RiverCenter.

[mitchella81]

Carl Gregory's attempted purchase of the Columbus lot feel through because the people who own the land wanted too much money to lease the property. To complicate matters Bill Heard filed for Federal Bankrupcy Protection on Sunday now the deal has many more steps to go through to be purchased, but several buyers are still intrested including Chris French who is the old General Manager of Bill Heard Cadillic. He and a group of investors are showing alot of intrest as well as Rick Hendrick of Charlotte North Carolina. Hendrick owns car lots in NC and is also a Nascar team owner.

[mitchella81]

Well looks like good news is finally on the horizon after the bill heard fallout. An Atlanta Businessman and Georgia Senator Emanuel Jones is the high bidder for the Columbus lot. His bid totals more than $25million for the Columbus dealership which consists of Chevrolet, Cadillic, and Saab dealerships on Manchester Expressway. Jones also owns the Legacy dealerships in Metro Atlanta. All Jones is waiting for is approval from the US Bankrupcy Court and he has hopes to open the lot back up as soon as Dec. 19th. Jones and the Georgia Department of Labor are holding a job fair on Wed. and has hopes of putting most of the 280 employees put out of work by the september closing back to work.