BOUCHERVILLE, Quebec -- Uni-Select has entered into an agreement to purchase, through a subsidiary, the assets of Red Rooster Auto Stores, LLC, a store group headquartered in the Minneapolis suburb of Crystal, MN. Red Rooster operates six stores that serve both retail and professional service dealer customers. The company has annual sales of $11.5 million.

This transaction follows the December 2005 acquisition of Minneapolis based Kunz Oil Company. The combination of Red Rooster Auto stores and Kunz Oil Company will result in an operating unit consisting of one distribution center, three branch warehouses and six store locations in Minneapolis and adjoining suburbs.

Prior to the planned acquisition, Uni-Select USA was the primary supplier to Red Rooster. The business will continue operations as a business unit of Automotive Group USA, Central Region.

According to Jacques Landreville, president and chief executive officer of Uni-Select, Red Rooster was one of Uni-Select’s first partners in the U.S.

Tomm Johnson, chief executive officer of Red Rooster Auto Stores, LLC stated, “In today’s automotive aftermarket there are three things that must be adhered to: robust on-hand inventory to serve our customers, great benefits and programs for employees and strong relationships with suppliers. Looking toward the future, we feel that Uni-Select USA will help Red Rooster, its employees and its customers reach even higher levels. It is no coincidence that our company, a charter member of Uni-Select USA has decided to move in this direction. The goals of Red Rooster Auto Stores and the entire Uni-Select network are very closely aligned. We have always supported those same goals and are now moving to a different level in our relationship.”

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