The $25 billion American automotive giant Genuine Parts is overhauling part of its Australian operations, with up to 140 specialist auto electrical and vehicle parts stores to be rebadged as NAPA.
The NAPA business will service the trade workshop, mining, industrial, and commercial markets across Australia and New Zealand, operating alongside GPC Asia Pacific’s Repco business. Repco will continue to service trade and retail customers. 'Collectively, these two powerful businesses will position GPC Asia Pacific to continue to provide the first choice for automotive parts, accessories and solutions to customers throughout Australia and New Zealand' the company said.
NAPA is one of the world’s largest suppliers of automotive parts and accessories, with a heritage stretching back to 1925. As part of the US$18bn global Genuine Parts group, NAPA operates 81 distribution centres and supports approximately 6,740 NAPA Auto Parts stores across North America.
GPC Asia Pacific’s trade and specialist businesses have been providing customers with expertise, strong partnerships and genuine service in Australia and New Zealand for nearly 90 years. Whilst in Repco, GPC Asia Pacific operates Australasia’s longest standing, largest, and pre-eminent automotive parts and accessories distributor.
“We are closely watching the transformation of the automotive parts distribution market in Australia and New Zealand, driven by changing technology and industry consolidation,” said Mr Rob Cameron, GPC Asia Pacific CEO and Managing Director. “Against the backdrop of these and other trends, GPC Asia Pacific is embarking on a transformational strategic realignment and simplification of our organisation, optimising each part of our business to ensure we are best placed to meet the needs of our customers well into the future.”
NAPA will combine GPC Asia Pacific’s existing trade and specialist businesses to become Australasia’s largest trade focussed automotive parts business, operating across a network of 125 – 140 branches, and supported by access to global leading edge initiatives across telematics, electric vehicles, workshop technology and connectivity, data analytics, training programs, and inventory solutions.
Repco will be complimentary to NAPA, continuing to operate its proven dual trade and retail store format, located in more locations across metropolitan and regional Australasia than any other parts reseller, ensuring Repco is putting automotive parts and accessories where Australia and New Zealand’s trade mechanics and retail customers need them.
“I am excited by the opportunity that this transformation offers to our customers, as well as our employees and supplier partners,” Cameron said.
“By simplifying our structure, we will be faster to market, and be more responsive to the changing needs of all of our customers. Being part of Genuine Parts Company delivers the scale of a global organisation, with access to the latest products, solutions, technology and training that brings, whilst our innovative culture, national presence, and seamless logistics enable the pace and agility of a local business.”