Macon, Ga., Auto Parts, Service Shops Bought by Oklahoma Company

Two Macon, Ga.-based automotive parts and service businesses have been sold to an Oklahoma company. Macon-owned Global Parts Distributors, a parts supplier, and Auto Air of Macon, an auto service business founded in 1974, have been sold to Oklahoma City-based Fred Jones Enterprises, said Doug Hines, Global's president.

From The Macon Telegraph

MACON, GA — Two Macon, Ga.-based automotive parts and service businesses have been sold to an Oklahoma company.

Macon-owned Global Parts Distributors, a parts supplier, and Auto Air of Macon, an auto service business founded in 1974, have been sold to Oklahoma City-based Fred Jones Enterprises, said Doug Hines, Global’s president.

All of Global’s 40 employees have been retained, said Hines, who founded the local business. Fred Jones is a family-owned manufacturer and distributor of automotive parts.

Although both Macon companies will retain their current names, they are now under the umbrella of Global Parts Distributors LLC, said Hines, who will remain president of the local businesses on Ga. 247.

The sale came about because of the company’s growth, he said.

“We’ve just been growing by leaps and bounds, and the cash requirements for the growth is just tremendous,” Hines said. “I just really didn’t want to make the investment alone.”

Global Parts developed software for customers — such as auto repair shops and parts stores — so they can search on a computer through the company’s 4 million parts inventory, Hines said.

“It really speeds up the process,” he said. “It cuts a five minute phone call down to 45 seconds.”

Fred Jones Enterprises expects the acquisition to strengthen its position in the national automotive air-conditioning industry, according to a company news release.

“As the first acquisition not related to dealerships, this purchase places Fred Jones squarely in the after-market industry,” Scott Weaver, president and CEO of Fred Jones, said in the release.

Fred Jones has distribution centers in Atlanta; El Paso, Texas; Louisville, Ky.; Memphis, Tenn.; New Orleans and Orlando, Fla.

Hines said the sale of the businesses likely will lead to more growth and more jobs in Macon.

“We’ve already expanded into three of their warehouses,” he said. “As our business grows, probably within two years we will add at least 20 to 25 employees.”

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