I.G. Burton announces Lofland as Newark dealership co-owner
In the past 114 years of i.g. Burton & Company Inc., the last name of every owner of the car dealerships has been Burton. The company was started in 1908 by Capt. Theodore Burton and is now on its fifth generation of family ownership under Charlie Burton.
For the first time in its history, a new last name has just been added to the company’s ownership roster. That name is Lofland.
MJ Lofland, vice president and chief operating officer of i.g. Burton Auto Group, has partnered with Charlie Burton as co-owner of the new i.g. Burton Newark Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. The two have purchased the dealership located on Cleveland Avenue in Newark from Gary Hendrixson, who owned and operated it for more than 40 years.
“As a fifth-generation owner of i.g. Burton, I am very happy to say that MJ Lofland is co-owner of our newest dealership,” said Charlie Burton, president. “I am a firm believer in helping all of our employees succeed and promoting from within. MJ is a great example of what I am talking about. He started with our company in an entry-level job as a very young man. Twenty-plus years later, he is our vice president and COO, and now part owner of one of our dealerships. His success story is exactly what America is all about. It is also what our company is all about. You can have all of the greatest buildings in the world, and all the greatest technology, but if you don’t have people working here who care, it really doesn’t matter. MJ is someone who cares, and he cares a lot.”
“I’ve been excited about every opportunity that I have ever had with i.g. Burton,” said Lofland. “It is great to be a part of this company. When you can start like I did and continue to move up the ladder, it is a big reflection on how i.g. Burton is managed. Everyone can succeed. You simply have to want to succeed, and you will. That attitude starts from the top with Charlie Burton. So, to be a co-owner with him of what is now our 10th dealership makes me proud and very humble.”
For anyone who would like to explore more opportunities on their career path, i.g. Burton is currently hiring at all 10 of its dealerships. “We employ close to 500 people and are always looking for anyone who wants to be the best they can be. So if you have that kind of attitude, we want to talk to you. Whether you have experience in the car business as a service technician, in sales, or if you have never worked at a dealership but want to build a career, stop by any of our dealerships. I promise you this is a great company to be a part of,” said Burton.
The company’s Delaware locations in addition to Newark include Lewes, Milford, Smyrna and Seaford, with a Maryland dealership near Ocean City in the town of Berlin. I.G. Burton features Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Promaster, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter, Blue Bird Bus and pre-owned vehicles. For more, go to igburton.com.
