Germany’s WM SE has acquired 100 percent of the shares of Trost Autoservice Technik SE, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. The deal closed on April 27. The combination of the two companies – formerly No. 2 and No. 3 in the German aftermarket – will form Europe’s largest warehouse distributor with revenues exceeding 1.5 billion euros (approximately $1.7 USD), operating more than 200 warehouse locations in Germany and five other countries. Part of the group is South San Francisco’s SSF Imported Auto Parts LLC, which just opened a new distribution center in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, through the recent acquisition of German Auto Parts.

WM and SSF start Global One Automotive

Global One Automotive, a strategic alliance of internationally leading and progressive aftermarket distributors, has been founded in Frankfurt. The focus will primarily be on Europe and North America, where discussions with potential members are already on the way. Global One will be headed by Gerald Forster, who has 35 years of aftermarket experience and managed the aftermarket business for Germany’s Eberspaecher for the past 16 years. WM and SSF are the founding members of Global One.