Excel Body Works

Excel Body Works, Inc. was established in 1958 by Bruce Herbert Rouse Sr. of Jacksonville. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Charles "Chuck" Kay Sr, started employment with Excel and later, joined Mr. Rouse as partner in the business. Shortly after, Mr. Rouse left the company and Mr. Kay became sole owner. Kay's son, Cha... rles Kay Jr. was raised around the automotive industry and learned the ropes at an early age. He was the only one of Kay's five children to show interest in the business. Charles started off doing little things, then moved up to the larger tasks such as pulling frames and driving wreckers. On May 28, 1997, Chuck passes away, leaving the business to his son Charles. Excel Body Works, Inc. was first located at 1105 Lejeune Blvd. In the fall of 2002, construction started on the bypass. Excel, as well as several other businesses in the area were asked by the state of North Carolina to move locations. Now we are located on Brynn Marr Road, next to AAMCO Transmissions. We have a state-of-the-art body shop, as well as two Garmat Down Drafted Paint Booths and a Sherwin Williams Automotive Paint Mixing Center, supplied by Sherwin Williams. The business remains in the Kay family, as a third generation shop, with Charles and his wife Brenda's three adult children, Whitney, Branden and John, as well as Whitney's husband Ty Cantrell, actively working within the company.Read More