Apex Customs’ New Shop Demonstrates Tremendous Growth

Apex Customs is expanding with a second location in Tempe, Arizona.

What started off as one makeshift bay in the back lot of a commercial building has grown into a 7,000 square feet shop with 15 employees, with more on the way.

The new location in Tempe will expand the shop’s operation with four new paint booths, 11 bays, and “the largest Mustang dynamometer on the West Coast capable of measuring vehicle power up to 3,000 horsepower at 250 mph,” according to the shop.

Apex Customs was founded in 2014. To date, Apex has never brought in a large investor or taken a bank loan to increase growth, according to the company.

The business provides car enthusiasts with every service they need under one roof. The new shop will have an emphasis on engine performance and custom paint and body, while also offering vehicle wraps, custom lighting, car audio, carbon fiber, custom fabrication, window tinting, wheels and tires, performance suspension, paint protection, powder coating, vehicle electronics, liquid wrap, vinyl graphics, hydrographics, and upholstery. The shop has the staff and equipment to do everything from a classic car restoration to a complete race car build from the ground up. 

"We are excited and honored by the support that Arizona has given us to continue to grow," said Tyler Copenhaver-Heath, co-founder and president at Apex Customs. "Thanks to the support of the City of Phoenix, our loyal customer base, and our hard-working staff, we simply outgrew our operations in Phoenix. We're looking forward to adding our energy to the Tempe market and economy."

"We're never satisfied with mediocrity, which is why we already have plans in the works for additional shop and service expansion, extending our web presence with a global e-commerce platform, developing custom shop management software, and manufacturing new parts to bring to market," said shop co-founder Elliot Hutchens. "Additionally, we are developing an online forum for our customers to be able to open a dialog directly with our technicians and automotive experts. As automotive enthusiasts, we understand that customizing cars is a lifestyle that extends well beyond the day we install aftermarket products.”

Early on in the business, Copenhaver-Heath brought on childhood friend, Hutchens, to help grow the shop. Hutchens’ background in business management, information technology, and accounting has been instrumental in assisting Copenhaver-Heath to navigate the nuances of operating a small business. 

"Our vision is to build the largest and most successful shop in the country. We want to set a new standard in the industry by being more than salesmen,” Copenhaver-Heath said. “Rather, we want to partner with our customers and serve as advisers throughout the customization project. We are not interested in selling unnecessary services to boost our profit.”

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