AutoZone Contract Adopted by the State of Arkansas

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The State of Arkansas has joined a growing list of states that are adopting AutoZone’s Automotive Parts and Supplies contract under the U.S. Communities Group Cooperative Purchasing Alliance.

After a competitive field analysis and a service pilot program, the State of Arkansas Department of Procurement made the decision to adopt AutoZone’s U.S. Communities Group Cooperative Purchasing Alliance contract offering for all State Agencies as part of an ongoing effort to improve purchasing efficiency throughout the entire state. The contract will allow state agencies and local municipalities in the State of Arkansas the opportunity to realize the cost savings provided on all of the products offered under the AutoZone contract. The contract was formally adopted on July 1.

The State of Arkansas will have access to the AutoZone Strategic Partners program that will allow state agencies the opportunity to share best operating practices and product testing results with fleet operating groups from across the country that are similar in size. AutoZone has recently launched the "AutoZone: Great Brands, Great Products" initiative as part of the Strategic Partners program for public sector customers. The "Great Brands, Great Products" program helps public sector fleet groups to realize the additional strategic sourcing savings that can be achieved through the consolidated use of AutoZone’s everyday store stocked brands and products.

"On behalf of 588 AutoZoners in 59 locations across the State of Arkansas, we look forward to working with the various state agencies and local governments to help lower their costs while providing an extraordinary level of customer service. The entire AutoZone team is excited about the opportunity to grow our business in the State of Arkansas with the AutoZone WOW! Customer Service model," said Larry Roesel, senior vice president of AutoZone Commercial.

Despite a tough commercial tire market in 2023 due to overstock and the effects of a rubber-banding supply chain, some tire manufacturers are expressing a cautious optimism for stabilization and gradual recovery through the rest of 2024 and into 2025.

"The economy is not showing signs that it’s going to slow down, but I don’t think the situation’s going to improve dramatically by the end of this year. It’s more likely next year," said Pierluigi Cumo, Vice President of B2B products, at Michelin North America. "We can see the light because the beginning of 2023 was very bad. I think now we’ve found the bottom, and I don’t think we’re going to get much further from the bottom in 2024."