CoolDrive, a leading supplier of automotive spare parts to the Australian aftermarket, has become a shareholder of TEMOT International, effective March 1. TEMOT International has thus significantly expanding its footprint in a growing market, which also is key to the strategic Asia Pacific (APAC) region.

Since its establishment in 1977, CoolDrive has been owned and run by the founding family, the Blanchard family. Today, with an annual turnover of 160 million A$ (100 million €/$123.7 million USD), 470 employees and a total of 33 branches in Australia and New Zealand, the firm is one of the leading distributors of spare parts to the domestic aftermarket on the Australian continent and has become a major player in the APAC region.

Originally founded as a specialist for air conditioning systems, the company currently stocks about 60,000 parts from the product areas of air conditioning, engine cooling, rotating electrical, electrical accessories, lighting, tools and equipment, engine management, filtration, suspension, brake and clutch. Its portfolio includes all major international aftermarket brands.

Despite long distances, CoolDrive says it is able to deliver products to 90 percent of Australian customers within just two hours of receiving an order, thanks to an effective supply chain. The company operates an Australian warehouse with a capacity of 36,700 square metres (395035 square feet) and an additional logistics center in Shanghai with another 2,500 square metres (26909 square feet). It also runs the “iShop,” a comprehensive internet store with online catalogs, price and availability check.

“We are very pleased to welcome CoolDrive to our network. The move is consistent with our strategy of winning the best local partners and putting emphasis on family businesses firmly rooted in their respective markets,” said Fotios Katsardis, president and CEO of TEMOT International.

“The independent aftermarket in Australia represents an annual turnover of roughly 7.7 billion A$. We expect long-term growth in Australia as well as in the APAC region – and we are looking forward to shaping a successful future together with CoolDrive, a company that shares our vision and values.”