Our Story

Bobit was a family-run media powerhouse for 57 years, founded in 1961 by Ed Bobit with the launch of our flagship publication, Automotive Fleet. The company was acquired by Gemspring Capital in the fall of 2018, but its family-run business values remain.

Originally founded in Illinois, Ed moved the company to Southern California in 1977. “We had lived most of our lives in the Chicago area and really just wanted to experience winters without shoveling snow!” says Ed Bobit, who passed away in 2014.  The company became one of the strongest business to business media forces in the West and acquired several new titles.

In the mid-‘80s Bobit developed conferences and expositions, starting with the Limousine & Chauffeur show and continues to bring industry leaders together through a variety of conferences throughout the fleet, auto dealer, beauty health and wellness and public safety industries.

The company jumped into digital media with both feet in 1996 by setting up industry websites for all of its brands.  Employing an in-house team, Bobit websites are leaders in their markets.

We’re continually diversifying the way we deliver information. The company currently produces 23 print titles, 42 websites, 24 e-newsletters, and 20 in-person events that meet specific markets’ need for knowledge, news, and networking.

Bobit employs many talented associates in areas such as editorial, audience marketing, ad sales, production, digital media, events, research, and accounting. Headquartered in Torrance, California, Bobit also has employees throughout the United States.

Gemspring Capital is a private equity firm based in Westport, Conn., and specializes in lower middle-market companies.