The continued support of member growth and profitability top the list of program group goals in 2014, according to respondents to the Aftermarket Business World 2014 Program Distribution Report.
How do the program groups plan to do that? Recurring themes among 2014 group goals are to continue to invest in technology, to enhance marketing support and to offer more training. They also will focus on reducing costs and improving efficiencies.
One of the largest deals in years that has rocked the aftermarket is the Advance Auto Parts acquisition of General Parts International, which closed Jan. 2, 2014. The all-cash deal for $2.04 billion was approved by both companies’ boards of directors in October 2013.
The deal created the largest automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America, with annual sales of more than $9.3 billion and more than 70,000 employees. It provides Advance with approximately 5,300 company-operated stores across North America
Advance has gone on record as saying it recognizes the brand equity in CARQUEST and WORLDPAC, and it intends to keep both brands. The acquisition includes all aspects of GPI, including CARQUEST as a program group, TechNet councils, the CARQUEST Training Institute and WORLDPAC.
In November 2013, the Automotive Distribution Network said it will merge its Auto Pride and CMB subsidiaries to grow the combined brand and develop greater marketing and product programs for its affiliates.
To see the entire 2014 Program Distribution Report, click here.
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