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O'Reilly Automotive and CSK Auto have signed a definitive merger agreement under which O'Reilly will acquire all of the outstanding shares of CSK common stock in a transaction valued at approximately $1 billion, including approximately $500 million in debt. The boards of directors of both companies approved the transaction. Following its close, O'Reilly will be the third-largest national auto parts retailer with approximately 3,200 stores across the United States. The combined companies had revenues of $4.4 billion in 2007.
Keystone Automotive Industry, an LKQ Co., has announced that Jan Huskey has been promoted to director of Industry Relations. "Huskey's experience in the collision industry will bring significant value to the Industry Relations team by driving awareness of salvage and reconditioned parts, aftermarket parts, Platinum Plus, and new products that have an impact on our customers and partners," said Joe Holsten, president and CEO of LKQ Corp.
Jasper Engines & Transmissions of Jasper, Ind., has named its Preferred Partners of 2007. They are Raytech-Allomatic Products, Elgin Industries, Grant Iron and Motors, Melling Automotive Products--Dura-Bond, Mahle-Clevite, and Sonnax Industries. The awards were presented during the Jasper Engines & Transmissions 21st annual Preferred Partners Banquet. Each of the companies had received the award in the past, and several had received it at least five times, among them Grant Iron and Motors (five), and Elgin Industries (seven).
East Penn Manufacturing, a NAPA battery supplier, has been awarded the 33rd annual "Spirit of NAPA" award. The award is given to the manufacturer with the most outstanding service contribution to the NAPA organization. "East Penn Manufacturing is the gold standard for NAPA suppliers," said Bob Susor, NAPA Auto Parts president. "With a 97.4 percent order fill rate and double digit sales growth, they are a great representation of the quality suppliers with whom we work."
The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) is one of 28 trade shows selected to participate in the U.S. Commerce Department's International Buyer Program (IBP). As part of the program, AAPEX and its exhibitors will be promoted around the world, and U.S. commercial service trade specialists will recruit and lead buyer delegations to the event, Nov. 4 through Nov. 6, at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas. Under the program, qualified U.S. exhibitors will be able to meet with the delegation leaders from the various U.S. embassies and consulates, as well as the international buyers in each delegation.
Caliber Collision Centers has announced the appointment of Mark Sanders as chief operating officer, along with the promotions of Rusty Barsanti and David Goldstein to vice presidents of operations. Robert Tavarez assumes the title of vice president of Client Support and Anita Altounian has been named vice president of Field Administration.
Meineke Car Care Centers Inc. has named Keenan V. Moran its new president. He is a seasoned franchising professional with extensive experience in the automotive services industry. Current Meineke CEO and President Kenneth D. Walker will retain his positions as chairman and CEO of Meineke Car Care Centers but will now be able to devote more time to strategic growth initiatives for Meineke. As CEO of Driven Brands, Meineke's parent company, Walker also manages five separate businesses in automotive services and online training.
The long-lost Orbitron, a unique fiberglass custom show car built by hot-rod pioneer Ed Roth and discovered last summer being used as a trash receptacle outside a porn shop in Mexico, may soon be able to hold its head high and put its seedy past behind it. Beau Boeckmann of Galpin Auto Sports recently purchased the car, which disappeared shortly after gracing the cover of many custom car magazines back in 1964. "Our goal is to make sure this piece of automotive history receives the accurate restoration it deserves" Boeckmann said.