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HCI Equity Partners Launches Driven Distribution Group
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By Counterman
With a theme of “We the People,” the
link hidden, please login to view (The Group) held a successful national membership conference. The event took place at the Gaylord National Harbor in National Harbor, Maryland. Over 1,000 members, suppliers and associates attended the 2025
link hidden, please login to view. The event kicked off with an opening celebration linking the nation’s history to current aftermarket challenges and opportunities, including Right to Repair. A drum and fife corps opened the evening, followed by a unique look at history from Thomas Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt. The Newsies then performed a musical stage production. The evening ended with a dinner and vendor expo.
Industry leaders outline shared goals
Day two of the Automotive Parts Services Group 2025 conference began with remarks from top industry leaders.
Sue Godschalk, CEO of Federated Auto Parts, Robert Roos, CEO of The Pronto Network, and JC Washbish, President and CEO of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, welcomed attendees. They discussed the size of The Group and its supported initiatives.
Jeff Koviak, CEO of The Group, followed with an inspiring message. He emphasized building a collaborative culture using combined strength, collective action and shared innovation.
One-on-one meetings strengthen supplier partnerships
The four-day event included over 4,800 one-on-one sessions between Group members and supplier partners.
Attendees also joined brand-specific meetings and a vendor expo. The conference concluded with a D.C. Block Party Afterglow Reception and Celebration.
“We thank all who attended the 2025 Automotive Parts Services Group conference who helped us conduct a very positive, productive and collaborative meeting,” said Koviak. “The event gave us the opportunity to review objectives, set goals and strengthen partnerships, putting into perspective the importance of ‘We the People’ to our mutual success.”
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By Counterman
A Grand Kickoff in National Harbor, Maryland
The sun glinted off the bay as thousands of automotive aftermarket professionals gathered at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center for the
link hidden, please login to view (The Group) National Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. The event drew 442 member partners with more than 4,600 one-on-one meetings scheduled throughout the week.
Leaning into the conference’s theme, “We the People,” attendees were treated to inspiring appearances from unexpected guests, historical reenactors portraying Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt. The two “former presidents” entertained the crowd with tales of America’s founding and the importance of fair business practices. Their appearance was followed by a performance from a troupe of “newsies” advocating for national Right to Repair legislation.
Following the lively kickoff, attendees enjoyed dinner, drinks and the opportunity to explore 150 booths hosted by select vendor partners. The event set the stage for several days of meetings and deal-making.
Leadership Champions Unity and Innovation
Jeff Koviak, CEO of
link hidden, please login to view, underscored the need for collaboration in today’s market. “Now more than ever is a time for shared innovation and collaboration,” Koviak said. “Organizations and people should be looking for creative, mutual opportunities for growth.”
JC Washbish, president and CEO of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, added that agility remains a key strength for the independent aftermarket.
“One thing that makes us unique in the independent aftermarket is that we are so nimble and agile and we can react quickly,” Washbish said. “That’s why we’re here this week. Let’s work together and continue to execute on what has made us successful.”
That flexibility is increasingly important as industry leaders gather just miles from Washington, D.C., amid ongoing economic uncertainty.
Strength in Numbers and the Power of Partnership
“It pulls us together as a team. We never want any of our members to feel like they’re fighting anything alone,” said Sue Godschalk, CEO of Federated Auto Parts. “We are so much more effective in numbers. We are always eager to share, and we want people to know that we’ve got your best interests at heart, and we’re here for you.”
Robert Roos, president and CEO of the Pronto Network, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the power of collaboration in a highly competitive marketplace.
“We compete with the Big Four retailers, and those guys are tremendous competitors — very good at what they do,” Roos said. “That just requires us to be better at what we do. The more we can bring groups together, whether through mergers, [or] partnerships like our joint venture with APSG, Federated and The Alliance, it’s critical for us to work together, buy together and sell together.”
The Group’s National Conference runs through May 1, with deals expected to be struck until the final booth closes. Koviak added that while the event ends this week, the follow-up work and opportunity will continue long afterward.
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By Counterman
Stellantis celebrated a major milestone with the opening of its new Mopar Parts Distribution Center (PDC) in East Fishkill, New York. The $64 million facility enhances parts distribution across the Northeast and supports both dealers and customers.
Leadership and Community Support
Mopar leaders and a Dutchess County legislator spoke to state officials,
link hidden, please login to view partners, UAW leaders and employees. They emphasized the new facility’s impact on customer service in the local community. Commitment to Growth and Service
“The launch of our new Mopar Parts Distribution Center in East Fishkill marks a significant investment in our long-term growth and service capabilities,” said Mopar Senior Vice President for North America Darren Bradshaw. “This facility supports our dedicated UAW-represented workforce with the tools and environment they need to succeed. By integrating cutting-edge technology and automation, we’re strengthening our supply chain, accelerating delivery times and reinforcing our commitment to dealer and customer satisfaction along with employee success.”
Mopar Parts Distribution Center Capacity and Strategic Positioning
The 534,000-sq.-ft. facility is strategically located to serve dealerships and customers across the Northeast. It houses over 46,000 unique parts and expects to process more than 2 million shipments each year.
Boosting Local Economy and Infrastructure
“The launch of the Mopar Parts Distribution Center is a tremendous boost for East Fishkill,” said Dutchess County Legislator Steve Caswell. “This facility is not just an investment in infrastructure, but in our people, our businesses and our future. Stellantis’ decision to bring this advanced distribution center and nearly 100 jobs to our community underscores our town’s potential as a growing hub for technological and economic development.”
Introducing Next-Generation AutoStore Technology
This Mopar PDC is
link hidden, please login to view’ first U.S. facility using the AutoStore automated storage and retrieval system. AutoStore includes 40 robotic units using advanced technology to move along a grid above stored parts. They retrieve parts from 70,000 bins across 18,000 square feet and deliver them to processing stations. PDC employees then prepare the final shipments for distribution. Enhancing Efficiency and Inventory Management
AutoStore automation boosts speed, accuracy and dependability of order completion. It also reduces the warehouse footprint needed for storing inventory.
Sustainability and the Mopar Parts Distribution Center
The East Fishkill Mopar Parts Distribution Center is one of 21 Mopar facilities in North America serving dealers and aftermarket customers. Mopar merged the Tappan and Boston PDCs to reduce the region’s storage footprint. The AutoStore system further decreases the physical space needed at the new East Fishkill location. These efforts support Stellantis’ broader goal of lowering carbon emissions.
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By Counterman
The Automotive Parts Services Group (The Group) will hold its 2025 membership conference April 28- May 1. The event will take place at the Gaylord National Harbor in National Harbor, Maryland.
“This year’s conference promises to be a very productive meeting between members of The Group, supplier partners and associates. It gives us the opportunity to interact, collaborate and build growth initiatives that benefit all,” said Jeff Koviak, CEO of The Group. “We look forward to visiting our nation’s capital, learning how history influences our industry and joining forces to set a win-win course for the future.”
2025 Membership Conference: Four Days of Engagement and Strategy
The 2025 membership conference will run for four days and include many informative sessions. Topics will cover tariffs, inventory management, sales training and Right to Repair legislation.
The event will also feature a vendor expo and scheduled one-on-one meetings. These meetings will bring together members of
link hidden, please login to view and supplier partners. Breakout Sessions to Support Brands
The agenda will also include breakout sessions focused on each banner-marketing brand. These sessions will help teams align their goals and strategies, according to The Group.
“By coming together as ‘
link hidden, please login to view,’ we can harness our combined strength, share our ideas and innovations, develop plans for mutual success and profitability, and take collective action to achieve our common goals,” said Koviak. The post
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By Counterman
Niterra North America will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its Sissonville, West Virginia, campus on May 9, 2025. The celebration also marks the grand opening of the Niterra Distribution Center, a major expansion to the site. The company said the milestone represents three decades of growth, innovation, and support for the West Virginia community.
link hidden, please login to viewsaid the new facility adds 75,000 square feet to the Sissonville campus and creates approximately 30 new jobs. Sustainability and Efficiency Define Niterra Distribution Center
According to the company, the Niterra Distribution Center features cutting-edge technology and eco-conscious design. Automated storage and retrieval systems improve inventory accuracy and operational efficiency. Energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems help reduce environmental impact and cut operational costs. Enhanced security systems safeguard products and personnel at every stage of the distribution process. Expandable capacity allows the company to scale as customer demand increases,
link hidden, please login to view said. Commitment to Community and Long-Term Growth
“We are incredibly proud to reach this 30-year milestone,” said Michael Schwab, president and CEO of Niterra North America, Inc. “Our success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees, the loyalty of our customers, and the support of the Sissonville community. The opening of our new distribution center is a significant step forward in our journey, expanding operational capacity and improving logistics efficiency. We look forward to many more years of success.”
The grand opening event will be at the Sissonville campus on May 9, starting at 11 a.m. It will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a tour of the new facility.
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