BOUCHERVILLE, QUEBEC — Uni-Select has entered into an agreement to purchase of the assets of Beck/Arnley Worldparts Corp. and its Canadian subsidiary Beck/Arnley Worldparts Canada ULC, both automotive replacement parts distributors specialized in parts for foreign nameplate vehicles.

Uni-Select is Canada’s second largest distributor of automotive replacement parts, equipment, tools and accessories and through Uni-Select USA, Inc.; the company also provides service to customers in the United States where it is the seventh largest distributor. Uni-Select ranked No. 9 on Counterman magazine’s Top 20 Superstores of 2007. Out of all 20 companies on the list, Uni-Select had the highest percentage store growth growth (13.1%) adding 26 new stores in 2007.

According to Uni-Select, the acquired business will be the cornerstone of a strategic initiative to improve parts coverage in order to better service the growing import nameplate component of the North American fleet of vehicles. It will be the start of a new Foreign Nameplate Division at Uni-Select Inc. This development will initially add annual sales of $29 million to Uni-Select’s revenues.

The day of announcing the purchase, Uni-Select reported a 4 percent increase in first-quarter profit. The company said recent acquisitions boosted sales, according to Reuters. Net earnings were $6 million, or 31 Canadian cents a share, compared with $5.7 million, or 30 Canadian cents a share, in the same quarter a year ago, Reuters said.

Beck/Arnley operates one master distribution center at its headquarters in Smyrna, Tenn., and maintains relationships with two other satellite warehouses allowing it to service the whole of the North American market. The sale is expected to be completed on June 1, subject to closing conditions.

"Beck/Arnley’s high quality product offering, its strong brand image at the Jobber and Installer levels, its catalogue and its capabilities in the areas of product sourcing and logistics provides us with a great opportunity to support and improve the capabilities of the company. We intend to grow the business by expanding its geographical reach and its product offering. In addition, we will deliver the quality product the customer wants, where and when he wants it and at a competitive price" offered Richard Roy, president and chief executive officer of Uni-Select Inc.

"These developments are exciting news for our customers and employees. Uni-Select’s support will allow us to more effectively develop and rebuild our capabilities to better serve our customers by delivering the quality products we have been working so hard to provide. In Uni-Select, we have found the right partner as their vision, culture, values and business model, including support of the independent Jobber, coincide so closely with ours" commented Max Dull, president of Beck/Arnley.

In a phone interview this morning, Dull told aftermarketNews that this acquisition is truly good news for all involved. “This gives us the ability to take the business to the next level, which is good for all of our customers. That’s really the simple message here," said Dull. "This is going to really supercharge the business and it’s a good investment.

Dull added that there are no plans for any changes to the Beck/Arnley business strategy as a result of Uni-Select’s acquisition. All Beck/Arnley management will remain in place as well.

Roy told Reuters Uni-Select would continue to search for expansion projects in Canada and in the United States.