Consumer Auto Parts Joins IAPA

Independent Auto Parts of America (IAPA) recently announced that Milford, Mass.-based Consumer Auto Parts, has joined the group as its newest member. Established in 1973, Consumer Auto Parts serves more than 3,000 installers from its 22 company owned stores located in Massachusetts and Southern Vermont. The company, led by President Merrill Cohen, has a mix of customers that is 50/50 installer/retail. Annual consumer sales for the last fiscal year were $35 million.

by Amy Antenora
Managing Editor, aftermarketNews.com

CARTERSVILLE, GA — Independent Auto Parts of America (IAPA) recently announced that Milford, Mass.-based Consumer Auto Parts, has joined the group as its newest member.

Established in 1973, Consumer Auto Parts serves more than 3,000 installers from its 22 company owned stores located in Massachusetts and Southern Vermont. The company, led by President Merrill Cohen, has a mix of customers that is 50/50 installer/retail. Annual consumer sales for the last fiscal year were $35 million.

“We are very enthusiastic about our affiliation with IAPA,” said Don Poole, vice president of purchasing. “IAPA’s purchasing power in both branded and AutoStar (private brand) in conjunction with the Automotive Service Professionals (ASP) program will ensure Consumer Auto Parts’ growth for many years.”

Consumer Auto Parts was previously part of RPM Group. They are the second RPM member to leave the group this year. In April, AutoZone purchased the Eastern U.S. auto parts chain, ABC Discount Auto Parts, a longtime member of the RPM Group.

In this case however, Consumer Auto Parts, one of RPM’s founding members, is the first company in eight years to leave the group for another, according to Mike Mitchell, executive director of RPM Group.

“It’s a strategic difference,” explained Mitchell. “The members of the RPM Group generally see themselves as the brand and they use branded products to support their own market image. In the case of Consumer they felt very strongly that certain installer recognized brands were more important to their marketing strategy than they were to the group as a whole. It was a difference in view point.

“We wish Consumer well and will always appreciate the years of support they gave us,” said Mitchell. “It’s unfortunate but you get to a point in time when strategies diverge and they have to follow a path that they feel is appropriate for central Massachusetts.

For more information about IAPA, go to: www.iapaparts.com.

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