Auto-Wares Group, Inc.
Auto-Wares Group is a family-owned automotive aftermarket distributor and retailer, operating 200+ corporate stores, 13 distribution centers, and 750+ affiliated Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper parts stores across the Midwest, serving wholesale accounts, certified service centers, and dealerships through multiple specialty divisions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1976
- HeadquartersGrand Rapids, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Auto-Wares Group, Inc. does
Auto-Wares Group of Companies is a family-owned, privately held automotive aftermarket distribution and retail operator headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1976, the company runs a multi-brand network anchored by the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper retail brands, encompassing more than 750 corporate and independently owned parts stores, 200+ company-owned retail locations, and 13 distribution centers across Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and (as of 2024) Kentucky. The company serves 500+ Auto Parts Stores, 1,000+ AVBTB Certified Service Centers, and 40,000+ wholesale accounts, holding a catalog of approximately 1.7 million part numbers with same-day or overnight availability, supported by a workforce of over 2,700 employees.
The company's go-to-market is sales-led and distribution-driven. Revenue is generated primarily through wholesale and retail hardware sales of aftermarket parts, with go-to-market executed through corporate retail stores, independently owned parts stores, and distribution centers. Beyond retail parts distribution, Auto-Wares operates nine specialty divisions covering distinct aftermarket verticals: Auto Paint (PBE products with 70+ product lines), Auto Performance (575+ lines for drag racing, street rod, muscle car, truck, and engine building), Auto-Wares OE (Ford Authorized Distributor for Motorcraft and ACDelco, 100,000+ OE part numbers), Auto-Wares Diesel (light-duty diesel programs with vendors including Bosch and Mahle), Foreign Parts Specialists (150,000+ parts for 25+ import brands, with the MyPlaceforParts exclusive online catalog), Tool & Equipment Company (140+ tool lines, ATD National Tool Group member), A-1 Truck (heavy-duty and industrial), Battery Specialists, and S-G Import retail stores.
The proprietary technology asset is CounterWorks, a store management platform launched in 1984 that provides computer systems, software, and dedicated onsite support to affiliated parts stores, with hundreds of updates over its lifetime. Auto-Wares is a member of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance (54+ independent shareholders), uses cash and credit commercial account structures (pricing not publicly disclosed), and pursues a roll-up strategy — completing acquisitions in 2021, 2022, 2023, and twice in 2024 — to extend its geographic footprint and store density in the Midwest.
Auto-Wares Group, Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Auto-Wares Group, Inc.
- Legal name
- Auto-Wares Group of Companies
- Website
- https://autowares.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1976
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Auto-Wares Group is a family-owned automotive aftermarket distributor and retailer, operating 200+ corporate stores, 13 distribution centers, and 750+ affiliated Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper parts stores across the Midwest, serving wholesale accounts, certified service centers, and dealerships through multiple specialty divisions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Auto-Wares Group, Inc. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Aftermarket Parts Distribution
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers (42312), Automotive Parts and Accessories Retailers (44133)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013), Retail-Auto & Home Supply Stores (5531)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Automotive Aftermarket Parts Distribution (Light-Duty) (TLAKAOAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Paint, refinishing & body shop supplies distribution (coatings, abrasives, tools, consumables) (CRAOANAF), Performance, racing & tuning parts distribution (CRAOANAH)
Keywords
Where Auto-Wares Group, Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grand Rapids
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Auto-Wares Group, Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Auto Parts Distribution: Wholesale and retail distribution of automotive aftermarket parts through company-owned stores, independently owned stores, and distribution centers. Revenue generated from sale of parts to auto parts stores, service centers, and wholesale accounts.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels3 records
Auto-Wares Group, Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Auto-Wares Group distributes and retails automotive aftermarket parts through 200+ company-owned retail stores, 750+ independently owned parts stores (Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper brands), and 13 distribution centers across five Midwest states. The company supplies over 1.7 million part numbers to auto parts stores, 1,000+ certified service centers, and 40,000+ wholesale accounts, operating specialty divisions for paint/body, performance, OEM, diesel, foreign/import, and tools/equipment parts.
Product overview
Auto-Wares Group of Companies operates a multi-brand automotive aftermarket distribution and retail network. The company operates 200+ company owned retail stores and 13 distribution centers across the Midwest, serving over 500 Auto Parts Stores, 1000+ AVBTB Certified Service Centers, and 40,000+ Wholesale Accounts. The portfolio includes two primary retail brands (Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper) with over 750 corporate and independently owned parts stores, eight specialty companies (Auto Paint, Auto Performance, Auto-Wares OE, CounterWorks store management platform, Auto-Wares Diesel, Foreign Parts Specialists, Tool & Equipment Company, and A-1 Truck), and certified service center programs (Auto Value Certified Service Centers, Bumper to Bumper Certified Service Centers, and Confidence Plus). With over 1.7 million part numbers and 2700+ employees, the company provides automotive aftermarket parts, paint and body products, performance parts, original equipment parts, diesel parts, import parts, and tools/equipment through its distribution network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Auto Value: Parts store brand - over 750 corporate and independently owned locations across five states with parts specialists
- Bumper to Bumper
- Auto Paint
- Auto Performance
- Auto-Wares OE
- CounterWorks
- Auto-Wares Diesel
- Foreign Parts Specialists
- Tool & Equipment Company
- A-1 Truck
- Confidence Plus
- S-G Import
Products and services
- Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Parts Stores Retail network of over 750 corporate and independently owned parts stores operating under the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper brands across five Midwest states. Stores are staffed by parts specialists dedicated to providing customers the right part the first time, supported by same-day or overnight inventory replenishment from company distribution centers.
- Auto Paint Full-line, full-service PBE (Paint, Body, and Equipment) Specialist Warehouse carrying over 70 product lines of paint and body related products. Provides the strongest sales flyer and specialized cataloging program in the country, with new sales flyers or catalogs issued every 15 days.
- Auto Performance Performance and accessory parts provider offering over 575 different product lines for drag racing, circle track, street rod, muscle car, truck, and engine building projects. Backed by combined industry experience of over 125 years among its 'Gear Heads' staff.
- Auto-Wares OE OEM parts distributor offering over 100,000 part numbers from Motorcraft, Ford Genuine Parts, and ACDelco for auto dealerships. Operates as a Ford Authorized Distributor for Motorcraft Parts and Batteries, with combined 200+ years of OEM experience.
- CounterWorks Store Management Platform Proprietary store management platform with well over a thousand systems deployed nationwide. Provides affordable computer systems, software, and dedicated support for auto parts stores, continuously enhanced by a full-time programming team with hundreds of updates over 30+ years.
- Auto-Wares Diesel
Quantifiable outcome
- Parts availability on the spot or overnight
Companies that use Auto-Wares Group, Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Auto-Wares Group, Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Auto-Wares Group, Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Aftermarket Auto Parts AlliancecoreAuto-Wares is a proud member of the international buying group, Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance. The Alliance is comprised of over 54 independent shareholders who offer a wide array of quality auto products with one main focus on service. Auto-Wares participates in the Auto Value Program Group.
- Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper P.B.E. DivisioncoreAuto Paint is a strong supporter and member of the Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper P.B.E. Division. Auto Paint heavily participates in the group's program development of Branded and Private Label (Autobody Master) products.
- ATD National Tool GroupcoreAuto-Wares Tool & Equipment Company is a member of ATD National Tool Group for purchasing power and programs. This membership provides access to industry-leading publications like 'Tool Connection' and 'Tool Connection Extra' flyer programs.
- Ford Motor CompanycoreAuto-Wares OE is a Ford Authorized Distributor for Motorcraft Parts and Batteries. They provide parts, chemicals and fluids from Motorcraft, Ford Genuine Parts to auto dealerships and service centers.
- ACDelcominorAuto-Wares OE provides ACDelco products as part of their OE quality offerings for auto dealerships.
- Standard Motor ProductsminorVendor partner in Auto-Wares light duty diesel program providing automotive aftermarket parts.
- BoschminorVendor partner in Auto-Wares light duty diesel program providing automotive aftermarket parts.
- MahleminorVendor partner in Auto-Wares light duty diesel program providing automotive aftermarket parts.
- Dorman OE SolutionsminorVendor partner in Auto-Wares light duty diesel program providing automotive aftermarket parts.
- GB RemanufacturingminorVendor partner in Auto-Wares light duty diesel program providing automotive aftermarket parts.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Auto-Wares Group, Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Auto-Wares Group, Inc. social profiles
Digital presenceAuto-Wares Group, Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Auto-Wares Group, Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Auto-Wares Group, Inc. subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries37 records
Auto-Wares Group, Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Auto-Wares Group, Inc. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Auto-Wares Group, Inc.
What does Auto-Wares Group, Inc. do?
Auto-Wares Group distributes and retails automotive aftermarket parts through 200+ company-owned retail stores, 750+ independently owned parts stores (Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper brands), and 13 distribution centers across five Midwest states. The company supplies over 1.7 million part numbers to auto parts stores, 1,000+ certified service centers, and 40,000+ wholesale accounts, operating specialty divisions for paint/body, performance, OEM, diesel, foreign/import, and tools/equipment parts.
Is Auto-Wares Group, Inc. a public or private company?
Auto-Wares Group, Inc. is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Auto-Wares Group, Inc. founded?
Auto-Wares Group, Inc. was founded in 1976. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Auto-Wares Group, Inc. based?
Auto-Wares Group, Inc. is headquartered in Grand Rapids, United States, in the North America region.
How does Auto-Wares Group, Inc. make money?
One revenue line is on record: auto Parts Distribution.
Does Auto-Wares Group, Inc. have an API?
No public API is recorded for Auto-Wares Group, Inc..
What industry is Auto-Wares Group, Inc. in?
Auto-Wares Group, Inc.'s product category is Automotive Aftermarket Parts Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAKAOAA, Automotive Aftermarket Parts Distribution (Light-Duty), with a secondary code of CRAOANAF, Paint, refinishing & body shop supplies distribution (coatings, abrasives, tools, consumables). Its NAICS code is 42312 and its SIC code is 5013.