When Gerber Collision & Glass approached Charles Vincent George Architects, they weren’t just looking for an architect; they were looking for a partner who could help them untangle years of inefficiencies and scale a fast-moving national operation with greater confidence. Today, Gerber is a nationwide name with over 1,000 locations, and we are proud to be a trusted ally in that journey.
But this wasn’t a case of business as usual.
What began as a short-term solution to a long list of architectural challenges quickly turned into a long-term collaboration that continues to evolve. In just three years, CVG has taken on the role of Corporate Architect, supporting nearly 80 Gerber projects and providing strategic insight across every stage of the design and construction process, from prototype development to permitting and due diligence.
Here's a look at how the relationship developed.
When Gerber first reached out, their growth was being held back by a lack of architectural continuity. Different firms were managing different projects with inconsistent results. That led to stalled builds, expensive change orders, and time-consuming oversight for Gerber’s internal team.
CVG quickly brought stability to the program by streamlining operations and delivering successful projects at pace. As trust grew, so did our scope, ultimately leading to full oversight of architectural work across Gerber’s expanding footprint.
Today, CVG is licensed in 31 states and manages everything from compact renovations to 20,000-SF new builds. More importantly, we’ve built a system that enables Gerber to scale, with better quality and less friction.
One of the first major steps in that journey was taking a hard look at Gerber’s existing store prototype. The layout was leading to inefficiencies in the repair bays and complications in construction. It was clear the prototype needed to do more than look good on paper. It had to perform better in the field.
By drawing on deep experience from its Automotive practice, CVG helped redesign the prototype to improve internal circulation, simplify workflows, and extend building longevity. We optimized the placement of office areas, refined materials for long-term durability, and aligned the design more closely with Gerber’s branding, all while lowering construction costs.
The result? A smarter, standardized solution that’s easier to replicate and better supports day-to-day operations.
Gerber’s internal team was feeling the pressure of an ambitious expansion. Many of the delays they were experiencing could be traced back to pre-design issues: zoning conflicts, unclear permitting paths, and lackluster due diligence. That’s where CVG stepped in.
For a project in North Carolina, a previous architect had left behind a near-finished set of drawings without realizing the site needed to be rezoned. CVG identified the issue, assembled a full zoning package, and saw the process through to unanimous approval at public hearings.
It’s this type of proactive leadership that has helped Gerber move more projects across the finish line with fewer surprises.
Not every Gerber location fits neatly into a standard footprint. Some sites demand flexibility in both design and delivery.
In one case, a municipality required a collision center that blended in with the commercial character of its surroundings. CVG responded with a custom design using varied materials, fine masonry detailing, and a softer landscape approach, balancing local aesthetic goals with operational needs.
Elsewhere, in rural Oregon, we helped Gerber avoid a costly teardown by reimagining the site layout and coordinating a unique septic solution, ensuring that the building could be reused effectively.
No matter the complexity, we strive to bring the same creative yet practical energy to the table, solving problems with an eye on long-term value.
As the number of projects grew, so did the need for standardized processes that would bring clarity and control across the board.
Our team created tools and systems to streamline delivery, from responsibility matrices that help reduce change orders to living documents that track prototype updates and project status in real time. CVG meets with the Gerber team weekly to ensure changes, such as new equipment or vendor updates, are folded back into the design set. It’s a system built not just for today’s work, but for the demands of future growth.
At the heart of this collaboration is a relationship rooted in trust and mutual respect. Simply put, we’re not just designing buildings; we’re invested in Gerber’s success. Whether it’s answering a quick question from a third-party architect or jumping in on a tricky site, the team remains accessible, responsive, and always ready to help.
That mindset—proactive, practical, and committed—has made CVG an essential part of Gerber’s expansion story. And while the work spans dozens of states and countless site conditions, the goal remains the same: deliver great environments that help Gerber grow with purpose. Because when the foundation is strong, scaling becomes a lot simpler.
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