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link hidden, please login to view honored the suppliers shaping the future of the automotive aftermarket at its 15th annual 2026 Partnership Event, Thursday, March 12, in Atlanta. This gathering has long served as a milestone moment that brings together the industry’s most valued partners to celebrate shared achievements, align on strategy, and deepen the relationships that drive the business forward.
“Our Supplier Partnership Event isn’t just a celebration, it’s a reflection of what we believe at NAPA: that the most successful businesses are built on a foundation of trust and collaboration,” said Danny Huffaker, senior vice president product & marketing. “Bringing our partners together each year is how we align on our plan to win and strengthen our relationships. We’re grateful to our partners for their continued investment in NAPA and for their shared commitment to innovation that is defining the future of our industry.”
Among the evening’s honors, the Spirit of NAPA Award carries a particularly rich legacy. Established more than 30 years ago, it recognizes an individual who truly embodies NAPA’s values, work ethic, and commitment to deep, lasting partnership.
The full list of this year’s winners is below:
Spirit of NAPA Award, Premium Guard Inc. (PGI)
Spirit of NAPA Award Recipient – Premium Guard Inc. (PGI)
Premium Guard Inc. (PGI) is honored with the Spirit of NAPA Award for demonstrating exceptional overall performance, deep partnership, and a sustained commitment to NAPA’s success. Through industry-leading service levels, strategic investment in dedicated NAPA sales support, and strong collaboration on new product launches and market expansion, PGI has consistently aligned its efforts with NAPA’s goals.
Following one of the most significant product transitions in NAPA’s history, PGI stepped up in a meaningful way, working cross-functionally with our teams to support training, sales enablement, and market adoption. Their partnership has helped expand product coverage, drive market share growth, and ensure NAPA remains well positioned to serve customers across our network.
Through performance, collaboration, and shared commitment, PGI truly embodies the Spirit of NAPA.
Partnership Award, Chris Pruitt
Partnership Award Recipient – Chris Pruitt
Chris Pruitt is recognized for decades of leadership. Over a remarkable 31-year career at East Penn Manufacturing, Chris helped guide the company through significant growth while strengthening its relationship with NAPA at every level.
Under his leadership, East Penn consistently supported key NAPA initiatives that drove market share growth through innovative and collaborative programs. Chris also demonstrated a deep commitment to giving back, proudly supporting the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund through fundraising efforts that honored those who have sacrificed for our country.
Known for his accessibility and collaborative spirit, from the store level to the executive team, Chris fostered a culture of open communication and true partnership. Now serving as Chairman of the Board, he leaves behind a legacy defined by trust, integrity, and a long-standing relationship between East Penn and NAPA built to endure for years to come.
Service Award, Valvoline
Service Award Recipient – Valvoline
Valvoline is recognized for delivering exceptional service performance to the NAPA network, maintaining industry-leading fill rates and dependable on-time delivery. Their reliability and responsiveness ensure NAPA customers consistently receive the products they need when they need them.
Catalog Award, CRC
Catalog Award Recipient – CRC
CRC is recognized for excellence in catalog content and data quality, demonstrating exceptional completeness, correctness, and reliability in product information. Their commitment to maintaining high standards ensures NAPA teams and customers have the accurate information they need to confidently identify the right products.
Quality Award, Old World Industries (OWI)
Quality Award Recipient – Old World Industries (OWI)
Old World Industries (OWI) is recognized for its outstanding commitment to product quality and transparency, working closely with NAPA to provide comprehensive testing data and detailed quality documentation. Their proactive collaboration and dedication to continuous improvement help ensure the reliability and performance that NAPA customers expect.
Innovation Award, Milwaukee
Innovation Award Recipient – Milwaukee
Milwaukee is recognized for driving innovation and growth within the NAPA network through the launch of more than 600 new SKUs in 2025 and the creation of exclusive trade in promotions that generated significant incremental sales. Their continued investment in new product development and sales enablement demonstrates a strong commitment to innovation and partnership with NAPA.
Indirect Supplier Award, The Variable Agency
Indirect Supplier Award Recipient – The Variable Agency
The Variable Agency is recognized for its exceptional partnership and creative leadership in the brand transformation of Carlyle Tools. Through strategy, distinctive visual identity, and powerful storytelling, TVA helped reimagine Carlyle as a modern professional tool brand designed to resonate with the next generation of technicians.
Marketing Award, Dorman
Marketing Award Recipient – Dorman
Dorman is recognized for outstanding collaboration with the NAPA marketing teams, investing in innovative campaigns and strong social media engagement that increased visibility and traffic at NAPA for the Dorman brand. Their commitment to creative marketing initiatives continues to expand awareness of Dorman products among technicians and customers across the industry.
Sales Award, Dorman
Sales Award Recipient – Dorman
Dorman is honored for delivering exceptional sales growth with NAPA, generating significant incremental revenue through strong product innovation, inventory support, and close collaboration with NAPA teams to capture new opportunities and serve customers more effectively.
Market Disruptor Award, Carlyle Tools Suppliers (ISS, Great Neck, Clore, Homak, FNA)
Market Disruptor Award Recipient – Carlyle Tools Suppliers
ISS, Great Neck, Clore, Homak, and FNA are recognized for their partnership with NAPA in relaunching the Carlyle Tools brand—bringing together product expertise, supply chain strength, and collaboration to create a differentiated professional tool offering that is reshaping expectations in the market.
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By Counterman
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