Automotive Parts Headquarters, Inc.

What Automotive Parts Headquarters, Inc. does

Automotive Parts Headquarters, Inc. (APH) is a third-generation, family-owned automotive aftermarket parts distributor and store group founded in 1920 and headquartered in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The company distributes replacement parts, heavy-duty components, agricultural and marine parts, refinishing supplies, tools, and equipment through a multi-channel network that includes 275+ independently-owned Auto Value retail stores, corporate Auto Value stores, Auto Value Express wholesale warehouses (counter-free, delivery-only), and specialized divisions such as Refinish Supply Co. (RSC) and BENCO Equipment. APH serves three primary customer segments: DIY consumers, professional service dealers (mechanics, fleet operators), and body/collision shops, with secondary exposure to heavy-duty, agricultural, and industrial customers in the Midwest.

The company's operating platform rests on three modern distribution centers (St. Cloud, Sioux Falls, Rapid City) that enable next-day and overnight delivery across a network that now spans 300+ locations in nine states. Underlying technology includes the proprietary CounterLogic database that aligns inventory to specific repair requirements, the WHI Solutions PartsWatch store-management system at corporate stores, and Epicor Vision (planned/replacing legacy systems) for business management. APH is a member of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, a national buying group that provides cooperative marketing and aggregate purchasing power. The company has expanded primarily through tuck-in acquisitions of regional family-owned distributors, most recently adding UESCO Warehouse (2016, North Dakota), Automotive Supply Company (June 2025, Wisconsin), and the Bickle family's S&W Supply (April 2026, Kansas).

APH generates revenue through transactional sales of auto parts and accessories via its retail store network (corporate and franchise-affiliated), wholesale delivery to commercial customers via Auto Value Express, and specialized divisions for refinishing (RSC) and equipment (BENCO). Pricing is not publicly disclosed; commercial customers access credit accounts through a dedicated application process. Commercial credit terms and multi-year account relationships with professional service dealers anchor a recurring revenue base, while retail consumer traffic provides high-frequency transactional volume.

Name

Automotive Parts Headquarters, Inc.

Legal name

Automotive Parts Headquarters, Inc.

Website

https://autopartshq.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Automotive Parts Headquarters is a third-generation, family-owned distributor of automotive aftermarket parts operating 300+ Auto Value stores, three distribution centers, and wholesale/retail channels across nine Midwestern states for DIY consumers, professional repair shops, and agricultural/industrial customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Aftermarket Parts Distribution

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers (42312), Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42385), Warehousing and Storage (493)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicles & Motor Vehicle Parts & Supplies (5010), Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013), Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084)

akta.pro primary industry

Maintenance, service & repair (MSR) parts distribution (filters, belts, hoses, wipers, fluids) (CRAOANAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tools, shop equipment & garage supplies distribution (diagnostic tools, lifts, compressors, PPE) (CRAOANAG), Automotive Parts Distribution Centers (Aftermarket/OEM) (TLALAEAG), Automotive Parts, Tires & Workshop Supplies Marketplaces (CRAFAHAD)

Keywords

• Automotive aftermarket distribution
• Auto parts retail
• Commercial vehicle parts
• Heavy-duty truck parts
• Auto parts inventory management

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Auto Parts Distribution: Distribution of automotive aftermarket parts, supplies, and accessories to independent retail stores, corporate stores, and commercial customers. Revenue generated through product sales to store network and end customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Automotive Parts Headquarters, Inc. (APH) distributes automotive aftermarket parts, supplies, and accessories to a network of independently-owned Auto Value retail stores, corporate stores, and Auto Value Express wholesale warehouses across the Midwest. The company operates three modern distribution centers serving over 275 retail locations in nine states with $10M+ inventory spanning automotive, heavy-duty, agricultural, marine, and refinishing product lines. APH provides inventory management systems (CounterLogic), store support, marketing programs, and value-added services including custom hydraulic hose fabrication, machine shop services, battery/alternator/starter testing, brake drum and rotor resurfacing, and automotive paint mixing.

Product overview

APH operates as a third-generation family-owned auto parts distributor and store group offering a multi-brand portfolio across the Midwest. The core product is Auto Value, a network of independently-owned auto parts stores offering automotive replacement parts, heavy-duty components, agricultural parts, marine parts, paint and refinishing supplies, custom hydraulic hose fabrication, machine shop services, and electrical testing. Supporting sub-brands include ASC Auto Value (acquired Wisconsin locations), S&W Supply Auto Value (Kansas locations), and Auto Value Express (wholesale-only warehouses for commercial customers). Specialized divisions include RSC (Refinish Supply Co.) for automotive refinishing products and BENCO Equipment for tools and equipment. APH supports over 300 locations across nine states through three distribution centers and a Store Support Center, with products accessible via buy online/pick up in store e-commerce.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Auto Value APH's primary auto parts retail brand operating a network of independently-owned stores across the Midwest. Stores offer automotive replacement parts, heavy-duty components, agricultural parts, marine parts, paint and refinishing supplies, custom hydraulic hose fabrication, machine shop services, and electrical testing.
• Auto Value Express APH's wholesale-only warehouse concept serving professional service dealers. Unlike traditional parts stores, Express locations have no retail showroom or parts counter; commercial customers order via internet or phone and receive fleet delivery.
• ASC Auto Value Brand name for the former Automotive Supply Company locations acquired by APH in 2025. Ten Wisconsin-based locations operate under this banner serving auto repair professionals, DIYers, and auto body shops.
• S&W Supply Auto Value Brand for the nine Kansas-based locations acquired from Warehouse Inc. and S&W Supply (Bickle family). Stores serve automotive, heavy-duty, industrial, agricultural, and oilfield markets with roots dating to 1934.
• Commercial Vehicle Division / Auto Value Heavy Duty Heavy-duty/commercial vehicle parts division serving trucks, trailers, and commercial fleet customers with heavy-duty components and supplies.
• RSC (Refinish Supply Co.) Refinish Supply Co. provides automotive refinishing products and supplies to APH stores. Operates as a specialized division supporting body shops and paint services with equipment, supplies, and product lines from suppliers such as SEM Products.
• BENCO Equipment BENCO Equipment provides tool and equipment supplies to APH stores and customers, operating as a specialized division. Synergy Financial Resources noted as 2025 BENCO Equipment Supplier of the Year.

Quantifiable outcome

• Substantial reduction in unproductive inventory and double-digit increases in coverage through CounterLogic system
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Warehouse Inc. and S&W Supply (Bickle Family)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 April 2026Strategic partnership bringing nine corporate locations in Hays, Kansas into APH's network. Locations rebranded as S&W Supply Auto Value. Don Bickle Jr. and Tim Bickle remain as senior advisors; Ryan Bickle continues in leadership role. Partnership expands APH's presence into western Kansas markets.
• Automotive Supply CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 June 2025Acquisition of 10 Wisconsin-based locations from Rick Wood, who has been part of the company since 1979. Stores rebranded as ASC Auto Value. Founded in 1928, the company serves auto repair professionals, DIYers, and auto body shops.
• Aftermarket Auto Parts AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational marketing organization and buying group for automotive aftermarket parts distributors. APH operates stores under the Auto Value banner as part of this network, providing access to national brand recognition, cooperative marketing, and group purchasing power.
• East Penn ManufacturingminorOthersSupplier partner awarded Supplier of the Year at APH's 2025 conference. Provides batteries and related products to APH store network.
• Gates CorporationminorOthersSupplier partner awarded Spirit of APH recognition and Supplier of the Year at various APH conferences. Provides automotive belts and related products.
• Standard Motor ProductsminorOthersLong-standing supplier partner recognized for Outstanding Training Support. Provides ignition, emissions, and engine management products.
• BBB IndustriesminorOthersSupplier partner recognized for Superior Fill Rate and Spirit of APH awards. Provides remanufactured automotive parts.
• Dorman ProductsminorOthersSupplier partner and 2010 Supplier of the Year. Provides aftermarket automotive replacement parts.
• United Auto Supply Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLa Crosse, Wisconsin-based leading privately held distributor and store group joining forces with APH in 2014 to strengthen presence in western Wisconsin markets.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• AutoZone: Largest U.S. auto parts retailer with 7,000+ stores; directly comparable to APH as a competitor in the same automotive aftermarket distribution space, though much larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• O'Reilly Automotive: Major U.S. auto parts retailer and distributor with 6,000+ stores; comparable product mix (aftermarket parts for DIY and professional) and similar dual DIY/pro customer focus, though at substantially larger scale.
• Advance Auto Parts: National auto parts retailer with 4,700+ stores and significant commercial/wholesale business; competes directly with APH's Auto Value banner in professional and DIY segments.
• Genuine Parts Company (NAPA): Parent of NAPA Auto Parts, the largest U.S. automotive aftermarket distribution network; directly comparable distribution model with independently-owned stores under a national brand.

Others

• Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance: National buying group and marketing organization of which APH is a member; comparable as a peer through its member distribution network structure (Auto Value, Bumper to Bumper, etc.) and shared member services.

Emerging players

• Dorman Products: Major aftermarket parts supplier and 2010 APH Supplier of the Year; comparable as an automotive aftermarket parts distributor with focus on replacement parts, though Dorman is primarily a supplier/manufacturer rather than retail distributor.
• Standard Motor Products: Long-standing APH supplier partner providing ignition, emissions, and engine management products; comparable as an aftermarket parts distributor/manufacturer serving similar customer segments.
• Parts iD: Digital-first automotive aftermarket parts retailer; comparable in product category but competing through online channel rather than physical store distribution model that APH relies upon.

Regional players

• Uni-Select: Canadian-based automotive aftermarket parts distributor; comparable business model as a regional parts distributor with independent store networks, though primarily serving Canadian market.
• Bapcor: Australian automotive aftermarket parts distributor and retailer; comparable as a multi-brand aftermarket parts distribution business, though serving the Australian/NZ market rather than U.S. Midwest.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/autopartshq
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/autopartshq
• Facebookfacebook.com/auto-value-parts-stores-110479163334
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/automotive-parts-headquarters-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Automotive Parts Headquarters, Inc.