STAUNTON, Va. – Fisher Auto Parts, headquartered in Staunton, Va. has acquired the Brownlee Distributing Company headquartered in Clinton Township, Mich. The acquisition was released in a joint statement from President Keith Brownlee and Bo Fisher, CEO of Fisher Auto Parts.
 
“This is an exciting time here at Brownlee Distributing,” said Brownlee. “We feel that joining our companies will give us the ability to provide our customers with the best service and inventory levels in the industry as well as continue our decades-long relationships with customers.”
 
“We are pleased to be partnering with the Brownlee organization as we believe that opportunities exist to enhance availability based on the proximity of our regional warehouses and other store locations, and continue the strong Federated marketing programs and focus on growth as we leverage our collective resources,” said Fisher. “We share the same culture and philosophies that have served their organization, and will constantly improve for the benefit of our customers.”
 
Brownlee Distributing and B&B Auto Parts service Southeastern Michigan and have been members of Federated Auto Parts since 1986. B&B Auto Parts was founded in 1947 and is one of the oldest auto parts stores in Detroit.
 
With this acquisition, Fisher Auto Parts continues a steady growth strategy through a combination of same store sales and mergers and acquisitions. Founded in 1929 by Blair Coiner, Bo Fisher’s grandfather, Fisher Auto Parts has more than 3,400 employees in 18 states with approximately 400 company-owned locations plus significant independent jobber business.
 
The company recently added 26 new store locations, including the acquisitions of Ridge & Kramer Auto Parts (Mich.) in April 2012 and McLaughlin Automotive Stores (R.I.) in October 2011.