From aftermarketNews Staff & Wire Reports

BENICIA, Calif. — 1-800-Radiator is continuing its expansion into new markets with the acquisition of all seven locations of Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Automotive Cooling Products Inc. (ACP). The deal with ACP marks the fifth acquisition for 1-800-Radiator this year, and the 10th since December 2006. In the past year, the company’s acquisitions have resulted in $46 million in new sales.

ACP, in business since 1980, is a specialty distributor of heating and cooling products for the automotive, light truck, heavy-duty truck, agricultural and industrial industries. It serves the Minneapolis, Minn., Kansas City, Kan., Rock Island, Ill., Omaha, Neb., and Madison, Appleton and Milwaukee, Wis., markets. ACP has approximately 80 employees, many of whom will join 1-800-Radiator.

"The acquisition of ACP is in line with our goals for growth and leadership in this industry," said Mike Rippey, CEO of 1-800-Radiator. "We are doubling our acquisition targets of smaller automotive cooling parts shops and are on target to have close to a 25 percent share of the market in 2009, up from 17 percent in 2008."

This year, 1-800-Radiator’s rapid growth was recognized by Entrepreneur magazine, which named it the 37th fastest-growing franchise in the nation in its Annual Franchise 500 rankings.

For more information, go to: http://www.1800radiator.com.