Federated Auto Parts Forum

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link hidden, please login to view announced the launch of link hidden, please login to view, a new automotive aftermarket distribution platform. The launch coincides with Driven Distribution Group’s acquisition of the auto parts and accessories distribution business of Chicago Parts & Sound, following the recapitalization of Tri-State Enterprises, Inc. in November 2023. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. By bringing together CPS and Tri-State under the Driven Distribution Group umbrella, HCI said it “aims to establish a leading platform in the automotive aftermarket industry by equipping its brands with shared resources, strategic vision, investment and advanced technology to enable its companies to deliver best-in-class customer service.” Both CPS and Tri-State will continue to operate under their respective brands, while benefiting from the shared resources of the Driven Distribution Group platform. “We are thrilled to welcome the CPS team to the Driven Distribution platform. Consistent with our original platform thesis, CPS represents a geographically strategic beachhead in the Midwest and is a great complement to Tri-State’s existing product categories. We look forward to working together to achieve our shared vision for growth,” said Scott Gibaratz, partner at HCI. Chicago Parts & Sound, based in Elk Grove Village, IL, with additional locations in Illinois and Wisconsin, is a warehouse distributor focused on automotive aftermarket parts, batteries, consumables, and accessories. The company serves auto dealerships, independent repair shops, municipalities/governments and company fleets.  Bob Lederer, co-owner of CPS, said, “the growth of Tri-State Enterprises parallels that of CPS – just in a different part of the country. Opportunities to combine businesses of such similar backgrounds, culture, and customer focus make tremendous sense for all stakeholders in each company.” “We are extremely impressed with the stellar business and established market reputation Bob and Jackie Lederer have built over the past 22 years. The combination of CPS and Tri-State as part of the Driven Distribution Group platform will enable us to expand our resources and capabilities to better serve our employees and customers,” said Tristan Taylor, CEO of Tri-State. The post link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view. link hidden, please login to view

The three “F”s may sound like a report card we wanted to hide from our parents, but in our industry, they refer to form, fit and function. They are the cornerstones of quality in the aftermarket, and heavily referenced when describing your product offerings. From an engineering standpoint, they are critical considerations when producing an aftermarket component designed to duplicate (or upgrade) an OEM design. Form refers to dimensional and material specifications, and affects the look, feel and even weight of a component. In some enthusiast circles, finish may also be an important consideration. Form is critical for identification, as well as perception of quality. Fit allows a part to be attached to other components or work in harmony with other parts in a subassembly or system. Fine tolerances are often critical to proper fitment between two or more parts, and fit often follows form from a design and engineering standpoint. Function is the ability of the product to perform the intended duties of the original design, and may also include considerations of durability and longevity. In most cases, function is the ultimate goal of a replacement part, with fit and form contributing to this functionality. In many cases, the form, fit and function of an aftermarket part is an exact duplicate of its OEM counterpart. For some components, patent or licensing considerations may prevent an aftermarket provider from creating exact replicas of certain components. When these legal limitations prevent a reputable company from reproducing a design, modifications to the form (which do not affect fit and function) can often allow a manufacturer to produce a suitable replacement. This is not to say that “knockoff” parts are suitable replacements for aftermarket or OEM offerings. The vague or intentionally deceptive origins of gray market and counterfeit parts are a problem for everyone from the supplier to the end user, and undermines the intellectual property rights of both OEM and aftermarket manufacturers.  Beauty is only skin deep, and it’s often what you can’t see that makes the difference between a great part and a potential failure. This is most obvious with counterfeit parts, where the form is often the only aspect of the product that matches the original. The use of inferior materials or other cost-cutting measures make reliability and durability a gamble when compared to the genuine article. When it comes to labor-intensive repair parts like a rear main seal, or safety items like brake parts, the fit, form and function are all critical aspects of the manufacturing process. For others, fit and function are enough to get the job done, especially if the form represents an enhancement to the original design, or an upgrade in performance and durability. I recently replaced a window motor on my personal vehicle, using a national aftermarket brand. In addition to the new motor were a half-dozen plug-and-play jumper wire adapters, allowing this single SKU to fit multiple applications. While the form was slightly different than the OEM or another brand’s reman offering, the fit and function were excellent, and that single SKU replaces five other units on my store’s shelving. It was a win for me both professionally and personally! Sometimes, the OEM doesn’t get a design quite right, and the aftermarket sees an opportunity to upgrade a flawed or poorly-conceived part. The increased use of plastics in parts design has led to a few notorious failures. In the late 1990s, we began to see repeated failures of sway bar links on the Ford Taurus. We collectively shook our heads at the OEM plastic design, and replaced them with aftermarket steel links. As these vehicles aged out of the market, it became one of those “remember when?” stories passed to new counterpeople…. until Chrysler inexplicably duplicated the design for its Jeep Renegade and Compass models! The aftermarket came to the rescue once again, and now, even the OEM has upgraded its original plastic links to a steel design. One of the greatest advantages we have over the OEM is our diversity. With hundreds of aftermarket manufacturers creating (or re-creating) replacement parts, the potential for innovation and the sheer number of resources at our disposal gives us more options than those offered by the OEM. Our adaptability and willingness to work outside the confines of an OEM catalog also give us the freedom to find creative or unorthodox solutions to our customers’ problems. The post link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view. link hidden, please login to view

The highly anticipated Race to Charlotte Sweepstakes, hosted by link hidden, please login to view and link hidden, please login to view, came to a spectacular finish this October 10-14, as 20 lucky grand prize winners and their guests were treated to an unforgettable VIP racing weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina. This spring promotion, which began in March 2024, awarded professional technicians and shop owners across the country with the chance to win an exclusive NASCAR racing experience. Forty guests kicked off their weekend with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at a performance racing team. The tour offered an insider’s glimpse into the high-octane world of professional racing. The evening continued with an exclusive dinner at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, where winners dined among the legends and history of the sport and participated in a collection of interactive racing simulations. The highlight of the weekend was a VIP race day experience at the Charlotte Motor Speedway during the race this past Sunday, according to link hidden, please login to view. Winners enjoyed a heart-pounding day at the track, viewing the race from a unique vantage point that brought them closer to the action than ever before. Pit and garage tours, customized swag, and autographed driver memorabilia helped to make the race day experience even more rewarding. Reflecting on the experience, Kevin Benton from The Merrill Co., Benton Auto Repair in Fort Dodge, Iowa, shared, “It was an awesome trip! I would do it again in a heartbeat. Everything was fantastic; the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper staff were so hospitable and made it the trip of a lifetime. Everywhere we visited was great, but the race itself was something else—an amazing experience from top to bottom. I know we all appreciated the team from Valvoline being with us and hosting us on race day; such a great group of people.” In addition to the grand prize, 150 other winners received cash prizes, contributing to a total of $25,000 in additional cash prizes, which added even more excitement to the sweepstakes. Entries were earned with every qualifying $150 invoice from Auto Value or Bumper to Bumper parts suppliers, with bonus entries awarded to MyPlace4Parts users for purchases made through the platform. “The partnership with the entire Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper family is incredibly important to the team at Valvoline Global,” said Scott Street, sales director at Valvoline. “Having this collection of professional shop owners and technicians with us here in Charlotte has been remarkable, and we were delighted to host them this week. Celebrating and spending time together like this is invaluable and only cements our lasting partnership.” As the checkered flag drops on this year’s Race to Charlotte Sweepstakes, Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper said they are already gearing up for their next big promotion, promising more opportunities for professional technicians to win big. The post link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view. link hidden, please login to view