NAPA Auto Parts expands here via purchase
Genuine Parts Co. buys C.W. Carter Co. and Redline Automotive
The corporate parent of NAPA Auto Parts plans to purchase two longtime distributors of automotive parts and accessories in Honolulu.
Genuine Parts Co. of Atlanta has agreed to acquire C.W. Carter Co. and Redline Automotive, both Honolulu-based distributors of automotive parts and accessories owned by the GMOB Group of Houston.
Together, C.W. Carter and Redline have one warehouse and seven company-owned stores in the isles.
C.W. Carter also distributes to a number of independently owned auto parts stores throughout Hawaii.
The acquisition is expected to close Nov. 1.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, although all 160 employees of C.W. Carter and Redline will be retained, according to Genuine Parts spokesman Greg Cabanting, with no changes to their seniority.
Eventually, the names of former C.W. Carter and Redline stores will be changed to NAPA under the new ownership.
"We are pleased that we were able to reach this agreement with such fine organizations," said Thomas C. Gallagher, chairman, president and chief executive of Genuine Parts Co. "And with their help, we look forward to expanding the presence of our NAPA distribution and NAPA Auto Parts store network in Hawaii."
Redline was launched by three high school buddies in Kaimuki in 1982 before being sold to the GMOB Group 20 years later. It has three locations on Oahu - Kalihi, Aiea and Moiliili.
NAPA currently has 32 stores in Hawaii, seven of which are owned directly by the Genuine Parts Co. and the rest of which are independent franchises.
The late Subaru auto dealer Gustave E. "Dutch" Schuman first brought NAPA Auto Parts stores to Hawaii in 1955, which he later sold to GPC in 2004.