From 1974 until 1982, Carl Miskotten was satisfied using auto auctions as a way to remarket his wholesale cars. In 1982, Carl sold the wholesale company and took a year off in 1983 to spend time with his children, Kim and Carlie, as a single parent.
At the end of 1983, Carl started to feel like something was missing. With some guidance from up above, Carl along with Chuck Frauhiger started Ft. Wayne Vehicle Auction, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The business opened in April of 1984 and focused on the Heavy Duty Truck facet of the auction business. In September of 1986, Carl and Chuck opened Southern States Vehicle Auction, again focusing on Heavy Duty Trucks.
In 1987, Carl sold to Anglo American Auctions, which later became ADT Auctions. While working with ADT, Carl was in charge of Special Auctions where sales included Yellow Iron (construction equipment), Heavy Duty Trucks, U-Haul Sales and Power Plant Sales. One of the highlights was a special $3 million sale for A.J. Foyt at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with over 20,000 people attending the 5,800-lot, 3-day sale.
From January 1993 through 1996 Carl worked along side his longtime friend Mike Hockett at Adesa Auto Auctions where he contributed to new facilities in Manville, N.J., Charlotte, N.C., Jacksonville, F.L., Framingham, M.A., and Montreal, Canada.
In 1997, Trent Knox and Carl Miskotten bought West Michigan Auto Auction. In January 2000, Carl once again joined forces with his friend Mike Hockett to start the Auction Broadcasting Company. They put together six more full service auction facilities, developing and implementing such industry innovations as the A2T2 Online Ringmanâ Technology, automated Recon Ramp, and the newest ABC service “Automated Condition Report Lane”. Soon dealers will be able to hear audio condition reports for the A2T2 online sales.
Carl does not enjoy the corporate side of the business as much as he enjoys the pioneering. Carl explains “I will be selling my interest in ABC to Mike Hockett and ABC. I will continue to pioneer new auction locations and remarketing ideas on my own, with ABC having the first right of refusal on all future pioneering efforts.” Carl continues, “I would like to thank the industry for making ABC an exciting reality, and express my gratitude to everyone involved over the past 30 years that have supported, encouraged, and made it possible for me to enjoy pioneering…stay tuned!”
