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CARQUEST Independent Stores Being Spun Off?
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By Counterman
In our cover story for
link hidden, please login to view, we asked distribution leaders to reflect on the successes and challenges of 2022 and share some of their insights for the industry in 2023. Here’s our Q&A with Sanjay Patel, president of Carquest.
AMN/CM: What did your organization accomplish in 2022 that you are most proud of?
SP: As I’ve transitioned into this new role, I’ve been incredibly impressed by our Carquest team and our family of independent owners, along with their entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to the communities they serve. Our owners are resilient, and they find a way to win because they have hustle and heart.
With that said, there are three accomplishments that stand out, one being our first-annual Women of Carquest networking event. We had so many terrific women store partners in attendance, along with leaders from across our enterprise and industry. The breakout sessions and workshops were invaluable, and we’re already looking forward to hosting this again in 2023.
Another was our Leadership Summit in San Antonio, where we welcomed more than 525 store partners, members of our leadership team and supplier partners. After several years of virtual discussions and smaller group meetings, you could feel the energy in each mainstage session, training and panel discussion, especially as we unveiled our new Carquest logo and brand positioning.
I’m also proud of the passion our store partners have for supporting our military veterans. This was our first year fundraising for Hire Heroes USA, and our store partners helped us raise more than $100,000 to provide employment assistance for veterans entering the workforce.
AMN/CM: What are your thoughts about the business environment for the automotive aftermarket in 2023?
SP: Looking through the lens of our store partners, 2023 provides a strong environment for us to be successful. We’re seeing increases in personal vehicle usage and fleet miles driven. When you also consider advancing vehicle technologies as well as vehicles becoming more resilient, that creates health for our industry. These longer-lasting cars present a great opportunity, as older vehicles will require more repairs and maintenance, creating an increase on parts and supply demand.
And, when you bring in our Carquest independent owners, their product knowledge and unrelenting commitment to serving the customer … that’s where you get the magic!
AMN/CM: How can the independent aftermarket parts and service segments best prepare to repair the car of tomorrow as ADAS, EVs and other technologies become more prominent?
SP: I love this question, because I’m a car guy at heart! My background is in the service industry, and these technologies are so interesting to me.
The big area of opportunity is around training. Our independent owners can partner with Carquest Technical Institute (CTI) to offer training programs to repair shops. We encourage our owners to communicate this to their professional customers.
For a long time, technicians didn’t always have access to quality training. It always seemed to sit in the OE channel. Now, with CTI, Worldpac Training Institute (WTI) and events like the Supplier & Training Expo, we offer training on all makes and models, along with EVs, hybrids, ADAS and other emerging technologies. This increased availability of training helps technicians enhance their knowledge while giving independent repair shops the opportunity to serve a wider segment of the car parc. The fact is, there are a lot of vehicles – especially hybrids – that are hitting that six- to 15-year-old range. These vehicle owners are looking for options. They’re not just defaulting to taking their car to the dealership. When our owners communicate this training availability to repair shops, these shops can offer more services, serve more vehicles and tap into service revenues.
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By Counterman
Advance Auto Parts announced the opening of a new Carquest Auto Parts and Worldpac distribution center in Bolton, Ontario.
The 580,000-square-foot facility is the first to combine Carquest and Worldpac DC operations under one roof.
Located at 8399 George Bolton Parkway, the new facility has the capacity to house more than 350,000 automotive parts serving the majority of domestic and import vehicles in Canada, according to the company.
The new Carquest and Worldpac distribution center employs more than 200 team members, with many team members living locally in Bolton, Caledon and surrounding communities.
“We are thrilled to warehouse our combined Carquest and Worldpac product offering in one building, providing our stores, branches and customers with the largest assortment of brands and superior service,” said Steve Gushie, president of Carquest Canada. “This distribution center enables us to stock more parts than ever before and its technology and quick replenishment system will help us deliver product to our customers quickly and efficiently. We appreciate the hard work of everyone at Carquest and Worldpac to make this happen.”
Today, the facility serves more than 130 Carquest stores and Worldpac branches across central and eastern Canada. These stores and branches serve more than 37,000 professional repair shops and automotive dealerships. This includes 500 TechNet Professional repair shops.
“With more motorists holding onto their vehicles longer, an expanded product offering is required to keep those older vehicles on the road,” said Jason Yurchak, Worldpac senior vice president, Canadian operations. “Bringing our Worldpac parts inventory together with Carquest under one roof allows us to carry parts for virtually every type of vehicle on the road today. Our DC team offers nightly replenishment of every Worldpac and Carquest facility with multiple same day deliveries, ensuring customers get the right part at the right time.”
The distribution-center team plans a formal grand opening and ribbon cutting event in spring 2023.
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By Counterman
Purolator Filters, a division of MANN+HUMMEL, announced that the company will be kicking off its 100-year anniversary celebration at this year’s Automotive Aftermarket Product Expo (AAPEX).
In 2023, Purolator will be commemorating 100 years of “Purifying Your World.” In 1923, Ernest Sweetland developed and patented the first oil-filtration system, calling it the “Purolator,” short for the words “pure oil later.” As years went on, the company continued to evolve, manufacture and distribute filters, such as air, cabin air and fuel filters for the automotive industry.
The global filtration company MANN+HUMMEL acquired Purolator Filters in 2012. Today, Purolator has more than 2,000 filtration part numbers for automotive, light-truck and heavy-duty applications, and continues to work on product innovation and design.
“The company maintains and extends its position as a leader in the filtration market by producing top-quality products, offering first-class service and revolutionizing the future of filtration technology,” the company said in a news release.
Most recently, Purolator has maintained these assurances with the creation of PurolatorBOSSpremium cabin air filters with Febreze Freshness. With a focus on filtering out virus aerosols, this product also blocks and controls odors, while preventing 99% of fine particles from entering a vehicle’s cabin, according to the company.
“Purolator’s goal to strive for quality and innovative products began in 1923, and still continues nearly a century later,” said Daryl Benton, vice president of sales and marketing for the automotive aftermarket with MANN+HUMMEL. “We are thrilled to celebrate our 100-year milestone in 2023. Purolator has been able to maintain its role as a market leader with leading-edge technology and global manufacturing best practices. Through continued hard work and diligence, Purolator will thrive for another 100 years.”
After a century of innovation, the celebration will kick off at AAPEX booth A1843. AAPEX is scheduled for Nov. 1-3 in Las Vegas.
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By Counterman
Advance Auto Parts announced the opening of five new Carquest retail locations throughout Central California.
The new stores are owned and operated by Jack Gosnell, a Carquest independent owner and president of Next Level Parts.
The new stores are located at:
1730 Jackson Ave., Escalon 412 S. Yosemite Ave., Oakdale 910 E. Weber St., Stockton 1557 Morgan Road, Modesto 924 G St., Modesto The stores carry an assortment of leading name-brand aftermarket parts and products, including DieHard batteries, which are owned and sold by Advance and Carquest. Parts at these stores will cater to both professional repair shops and do-it-yourself customers. Additionally, stores will carry products for heavy-duty machinery and farming and agriculture equipment.
Gosnell’s journey as a Carquest independent owner began in 1999 when he opened his first store in Turlock. Since then, he has added seven Carquest locations throughout the region, including new stores opened this summer in Oakdale, Escalon, Stockton and two in Modesto. Next Level Parts also operates Carquest locations in Merced and Manteca.
“Since opening our first Carquest, we have been passionate about serving motorists in this community,” said Gosnell. “Whether they are taking their kids to school, making their daily commute or need parts to perform their job, we will always go the extra mile to make sure they have the parts they need. These new locations will enable our team to reach more customers across Central California, and we’re excited to be part of these communities for years to come.”
“Jack and Next Level Parts have been outstanding members of Carquest’s network of independent owners,” said Junior Word, Carquest executive vice president of U.S. stores. “For over 20 years, his team has been committed to providing customers with the highest quality parts and services. We are thrilled for Jack and his recent expansion and look forward to witnessing the success of his new stores.”
To learn more about Carquest store ownership opportunities, visit
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By Counterman
Carquest Auto Parts announced a new branding package, including a refreshed logo, at its 2022 Leadership Summit in San Antonio.
Elements of the branding package gradually will be incorporated into interior and exterior store signage, marketing materials and more.
“Our updated branding reflects our focus on modernizing Carquest for the benefit of our independent store owners,” said Carquest Executive Vice President of U.S. Stores Junior Word. “It was critical for us to retain the red, white and blue symbolic of our store partners and their passion for serving customers in communities across America. We’ve refreshed our brand, but we’re still the same Carquest, dedicated to treating customers like family and helping them find the parts they need.”
Some 300 Carquest store owners from across the United States were represented at the summit, which included panel discussions, training sessions and a vendor show featuring 60 auto parts and technology vendors.
Additionally, Advance Auto Parts President and CEO Tom Greco and Word announced that Carquest store partners and their customers raised $86,209 for Hire Heroes USA. Greco and Word presented the donation to Hire Heroes USA CEO Andrew Sandoe. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Hire Heroes USA provides employment assistance, personal career guidance, resume building and one-on-one support for military veterans entering the workforce.
link hidden, please login to view The top three Carquest stores raising the most funds were:
La Porte Motor Supply in La Porte, Iowa, owned by Joe Weber ($6,199) Kittrell Auto Parts in Beaufort, North Carolina, owned by Buddy Kittrell ($4,412) D&M Auto Parts in Medway, Massachusetts, owned by Doug Urmston ($3,875) “It’s been a long time since we had so many of our store partners under one roof, so that alone brought a lot of excitement for our Carquest family,” said Word. “It was important for us to use this time to celebrate our outstanding owners while providing networking opportunities and training to support their businesses and help them become more profitable. We’ve long said that our mission at Carquest is to take care of our owners while they take care of the needs of their customers, and we believe that the summit provided our owners with valuable information that will position them for success.”
Training sessions available for store partners focused on enhancing DIY business; creating digital marketing strategies with a local focus; and leveraging technology to gain business results. The summit also included a session focused on key trends influencing the automotive aftermarket, led by Auto Care Association Director of Market Intelligence Mike Chung.
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