First in our recap of the week’s most important industry news comes the announcement that Fisher Auto Parts is expanding. Fisher, founding member of Federated Auto Parts Distributors, has acquired a 259,000-square-foot warehouse facility, plus an 80,000-square-foot mezzanine, in Staunton, Va. Once re-developed, the site will serve as the new warehouse complex for Fisher Auto Parts while the company’s corporate office will expand at its current location. The new Fisher Auto Parts warehouse complex will be modernized with environmentally friendly improvements such as energy-efficient lighting and material handling equipment, and is expected to be operational in late 2011.
In personnel news this week, Steve Marks has joined Veyance Technologies, the exclusive manufacturer of Goodyear Engineered Products, as the company’s new regional sales manager for automotive aftermarket products in the southeastern United States. Marks, former Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance senior VP of sales and marketing, comes to Veyance with more than 30 years of aftermarket experience. An involved AAIA member, Marks played a key role in molding the “Be Car Care Aware” task force for its launch in 2004.
Within the retail segment this week, aftermarketNews reported on the launch of a new online parts and accessories “superstore platform.” AutoPartsNetwork.com (APN) says it sets itself apart from other online auto part stores by having strong manufacturer relations to offer a vast catalog database of vehicle parts with more than 800 automotive brands, including some of the most popular and respected automotive brands. APN says this allows the site to provide the lowest factory authorized dealer direct prices on high-quality parts and accessories. The site features APN’s advanced patented AutoVend Manager and Industry Compliant Unified Catalog that provide consumers with real-time inventory, category browsing, full text search by VIN number, part name, brand name and the ability to narrow selections by vehicle make, model and year, saving that information in your account for future purchases.
In other distribution news this week, the Automotive Distribution Network has added a new member under its Auto Pride brand. Lakeland Auto Parts is a full-service warehouse, servicing primarily independent repair shop customers. It is a third-generation business and was established in 1962. Today, owners Dave Donus and Daina Onello run the business, which is headquartered in West Milford, N.J. They have three other locations servicing Northwest New Jersey. With this addition, the Auto Pride Network continues to grow its membership across North America, with more than 200 distribution points.
Last in our look back at the week’s top news are second quarter financial numbers from Pep Boys. Pep Boys’ sales for the second quarter ended July 30 increased by $17.7 million, or 3.5 percent, to $522.6 million from $504.9 million for the 13 weeks ended July 31, 2010. Comparable sales decreased 2 percent, including a 0.3 percent comparable service revenue increase and a 2.5 percent comparable merchandise sales decrease. Net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 increased to $13.9 million (26 cents per share) from $10.6 million (20 cents per share) recorded in the same period last year. Sales for first half of the fiscal year increased by $21.2 million, or 2.1 percent, to $1.04 billion from $1.01 billion for the 26 weeks ended July 31, 2010. First half net earnings increased to $26.3 million (49 cents per share) from the $22.5 million (43 cents per share) recorded in the same period last year.
