Longtime Federated member Parts Wholesalers Inc. is celebrating its 65th anniversary. Incorporated in 1950, the Spokane, Washington-based company can trace its roots back more than 100 years, to its beginning as the first taxi cab operation in Spokane in 1909.
“Tim Trudnowski and his team have done an incredible job of servicing and supporting their customers in the greater Spokane area and we want to congratulate them on 65 successful years,” said Rusty Bishop, CEO of Federated Auto Parts. “Parts Wholesalers Inc. was one of the first companies to join Federated and we are grateful for their support and commitment over the years. I especially want to thank Tim for his service, not only to Federated, but to the entire auto care industry. He is always willing to volunteer his time and expertise for the benefit of Federated and the industry as a whole.”
The origins of Parts Wholesalers Inc. date back to 1909 when two brothers, Guy and Dee Riegel, started the Seven Seven Taxicab Co. with three Ford Motor cabs. By 1911, the brothers had secured the franchise to become the first company to sell the Detroiter automobiles in Spokane. As the company expanded in 1913, they also stocked repair parts and offered service to Detroiter car owners. In 1914, Dodge Brothers, makers of high-quality car parts, announced they were going to make their own Dodge Brothers motorcar and in 1915, the Riegel Brothers started their long association with Dodge, and later Chrysler, as the regional distributor for 32 dealers.
In 1950, the company was incorporated as Parts Wholesalers Inc. The 1950s brought more growth and the product offering expanded to include other makes and models of parts and accessories. In addition, parts were being sold through independent jobber stores in the inland northwest. The company also changed ownership during this time with the passing of Dee Riegel.
In 1985, Parts Wholesalers started its affiliation with Federated Auto Parts, and in 1986, the company purchased its first stand-alone company store, the original Motion Auto Supply in the Spokane valley. This store location was eventually closed in 1989 but the name continues on for local company owned stores. All of the locations sell both wholesale and retail parts and accessories.
“I want to thank all of our employees through the years who have helped make Parts Wholesalers Inc. the premier wholesale and retail distributor of auto parts and accessories in the greater Spokane area,” said Trudnowski, the president of Parts Wholesalers Inc. “Today, our company is 100 percent employee-owned and I want to thank every one of them or continuing the tradition of excellence started by the Riegel brothers in 1909.”
