Boucherville, Quebec--Uni-Select Inc. has entered into an agreement for the purchase of the assets of Beck/Arnley Worldparts Corp. and its Canadian subsidiary Beck/Arnley Worldparts Canada ULC, both automotive replacement parts distributors specialized in parts for foreign nameplate vehicles.
The company operates one master distribution center at its headquarters in Smyrna, Tenn., and maintains relationships with two other satellite warehouses, allowing it to service all the North American market. At press time, the sale was expected to be completed in June.
The acquired business will be the cornerstone of a strategic initiative to improve parts coverage in order to better service the growing import nameplate component of the North American fleet of vehicles and will be the start of a new Foreign Nameplate Division at Uni-Select Inc. This development will initially add annual sales of $29 million U.S. dollars to Uni-Select's revenues.
"Beck/Arnley's high-quality product offering, its strong brand image at the Jobber and Installer levels, its catalog and its capabilities in the areas of product sourcing and logistics provides us with a great opportunity to support and improve the capabilities of the company," said Richard G. Roy, president and CEO of Uni-Select Inc.
"We intend to grow the business by expanding its geographical reach and its product offering," Roy said. "In addition, we will deliver the quality product the customer wants, where and when he wants it, and at a competitive price."
"These developments are exciting news for our customers and employees," said Max Dull, president of Beck/Arnley. "Uni-Select's support will allow us to more effectively develop and rebuild our capabilities to better serve our customers by delivering the quality products we have been working so hard to provide.
"In Uni-Select, we have found the right partner as their vision, culture, values and business model, including support of the independent Jobber, coincide so closely with ours," Dull said.
Uni-Select is Canada's second-largest distributor of automotive replacement parts, equipment, tools and accessories and through Uni-Select USA, Inc.; the company also provides service to customers in the United States where it is the 7th largest distributor. Its subsidiary, Palmar Inc., sells replacement parts, tools and accessories for heavy-duty vehicles and wheels in Canada.
The Uni-Select network includes more than 2,079 independent jobbers and services over 3,148 points of sale in Canada and the United States.
