GreatWater is expanding its presence through its recent acquisition of Clutch Automotive, a seven-location automotive repair and service business in the Houston, Texas, area.

The acquisition marks GreatWater’s entry into the Houston market and brings the company to 170 locations across its growing network, according to officials.

Clutch Automotive will keep its name, leadership and shop teams remaining in place. 

Matthew Schwab, the shop's founder and former owner, will continue working with GreatWater as an acquisition consultant, "supporting future growth opportunities in the Houston market."

Andrew Boone will join GreatWater as district manager for Houston, and Trent Barger will join as director of integration, "a critical role as the company onboards the Clutch shops and evaluates future acquisitions in the region."

GreatWater officials say keeping Clutch’s leadership team is vital for entering a new market, which preserves "the operating rhythm, team culture, customer relationships and local knowledge that made Clutch Automotive successful while connecting the shops to the broader GreatWater platform."

“Entering Houston is an important milestone for GreatWater, but the strength of this partnership is what makes it especially meaningful,” says Jim Dykstra, CEO of GreatWater.

“Clutch Automotive gives us a strong foundation in one of the largest automotive service markets in the country, and retaining Matthew, Andrew and Trent gives us the local leadership and market knowledge to support the business the right way from day one.”

“Successful integration starts with continuity,” says Scott Anderson, president and chief operating officer of GreatWater. “Having Andrew continue as district manager gives us local leadership in Houston, while Trent’s role as director of integration will be critical as we onboard the Clutch team and prepare for future growth in the region. Their knowledge of the business, teams and market will help us support Clutch without losing what made it successful.”

GreatWater will provide Clutch Automotive with an operating support platform, including resources across operations, recruiting, technician development, procurement, finance, marketing, technology and training.

Officials say the acquisition builds on GreatWater's strategy of "strengthening local shops through the resources of a broader operating platform."

GreatWater 360 Auto Care, based in Grand Rapids, Mich., is one of the largest tire dealerships in the U.S., according to the 2026 MTD 100.