Uni-Select Inc., the fifth largest North American automotive aftermarket distributor, is launching its U.S. brand, Auto-Plus. The announcement was made Nov. 4 during the Automotive Aftermarket Product Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas.
The new brand was launched at the corporation's partner award ceremony, where its top-performing manufacturers for the U.S. business were recognized.
Uni-Select has grown rapidly in the last decade due to more than 70 acquisitions, many within the U.S. Uniting the organization's warehouse distribution, independent distributors and corporate stores under the singular Auto-Plus brand is key to offering better service to professional service centers and in the Auto-Plus growth strategy, the company said.
This official launch of Auto-Plus follows a five-year plan of multi-level technology infrastructure investments. According to Uni-Select's Automotive USA President and Chief Operating Officer Brent Windom, this single-platform technology combines an unparalleled inventory of quality parts from well-known manufacturers with speed to market, competitive parts costs and access to experienced technical employees for customers in each of Uni-Select's distribution channels.
"We've spent the last few years unifying the organization at the store level and establishing the technological infrastructure necessary to streamline our supply chain," says Mike Buzzard, Vice President, Marketing & Sales Strategies. "We are now ready to go to market with all of our partners, the independent members and corporate stores, with a powerful single brand: Auto-Plus."
Auto-Plus will continue to operate under its industry-leading dual-sourcing business model, where corporate stores and independent bannered members have access to warehouse distribution and direct shipping from manufacturers. These exclusive agreements with brand-name manufacturers, in addition to the newly implemented, single-platform Auto-Plus technology infrastructure, will streamline the entire distribution chain, resulting in a top-rated experience for customers, the company said.
The new brand also provides independent distributors and professional service centers with in-store marketing support, including a multimedia promotional program for their customers. This added benefit provides customers with content and promotional offers directly from manufacturers, enhancing the overall consumer purchase experience.
"We're going to continue to invest in Auto-Plus, ensuring our independent partners and manufacturers are successful and very profitable, says Windom.
Founded in Québec, Canada in 1968, Uni-Select is a major distributor of replacement parts, equipment, tools, accessories, paint and related products for motor vehicles in North America. Uni-Select is the fifth largest distributor and the leading independent distributor of automotive paint and related products in North America.
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