Ace Auto Parts
Ace Auto Parts is a family-owned salvage yard in St. Paul, MN (since 1929) selling used OEM auto parts, offering on-site installation services, and purchasing junk vehicles for the Twin Cities metro consumer and independent repair shop market.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1929
- HeadquartersSaint Paul, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ace Auto Parts does
Ace Auto Parts is a privately held, family-owned salvage yard and used auto parts retailer operating from a single location at 754 Rice Street in St. Paul, Minnesota, since 1929. The company sells used OEM automotive parts — engines, transmissions, front ends, bumpers, doors, radiators, and wheels/rims — sourced from its own inventory and from a nationwide network of several hundred partner salvage yards accessed via URG/PRP/ARA industry memberships. Its core technology is a computerized parts locator system with online search (by year/make/model and image-based) that connects local inventory to remote partner-yard inventory, enabling rare-part sourcing within days.
The business operates four revenue streams: one-time sale of used auto parts, junk vehicle purchases for cash with free towing, on-site installation services (tire mounting/balancing, auto glass, mirrors, and lights on a walk-in basis), and extended warranty subscriptions priced annually with a $2,500 labor cap layered on top of a standard 90-day warranty. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer walk-in retail at the St. Paul yard, supplemented by phone/text contact and a content marketing presence (blog, social channels) that drives inbound inquiries. Customers are primarily individual vehicle owners in the Twin Cities metro seeking 40-60% cost savings versus new OEM or rebuilt alternatives, with secondary demand from independent repair shops and vehicle disposal customers. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.
Ace Auto Parts firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ace Auto Parts
- Legal name
- Ace Auto Parts
- Website
- https://ace-autoparts.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1929
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ace Auto Parts is a family-owned salvage yard in St. Paul, MN (since 1929) selling used OEM auto parts, offering on-site installation services, and purchasing junk vehicles for the Twin Cities metro consumer and independent repair shop market.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ace Auto Parts industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Used Auto Parts Retail
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Parts (Used) Merchant Wholesalers (42314), Automotive Parts and Accessories Retailers (44133)
- SIC
- Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Used Auto Parts Recovery & Resale (Salvage/Yard Parts, Rebuilders) (EUAIAJAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- General Automotive Repair & Maintenance (TLAKAAAA)
Keywords
Where Ace Auto Parts is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint Paul
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ace Auto Parts business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Used Auto Parts Sales: Sale of used OEM automotive parts including engines, transmissions, front ends, bumpers, doors, radiators, and rims/wheels. Core business revenue stream from salvage yard operations.
- Junk Car / Vehicle Purchase Program: Company buys junk, wrecked, and non-working vehicles from customers for cash. Customers call to schedule pickup; company sends tow truck to collect vehicle.
- Installation Services: On-site installation services including tire mounting, balancing, and rotation; auto glass installation; side mirror replacement; and light installation. Walk-in first-come-first-served service model.
- Extended Warranty Programs: Extended parts and labor warranty packages offering additional coverage beyond standard 90-day policy. One-year comprehensive agreements available with capped labor payouts (e.g., $2,500) for additional fee.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Used tire services with mounting and balancing starting around $50 plus tire cost |
| Subscription | Annual | Extended one-year parts and labor warranty with $2,500 labor cap |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Ace Auto Parts product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ace Auto Parts operates a family-owned salvage yard that sells used OEM automotive parts including engines, transmissions, front ends, bumpers, doors, radiators, and rims/wheels, sourced from salvaged vehicles and tested for reliability. The company also offers on-site installation services for tires, auto glass, side mirrors, and lights, and purchases junk vehicles from customers with free towing. A computerized nationwide parts locating network allows the company to source rare or specific components from several hundred partner yards across the United States.
Product overview
Ace Auto Parts is a family-owned salvage yard and used auto parts retailer operating since 1929. The company offers a comprehensive inventory of used OEM auto parts including engines, transmissions, front ends, bumpers, doors, radiators, and wheels/rims. Installation services are available on-site for auto glass, tires, side mirrors, and lights. The business also operates a junk car purchasing program with free towing. The company provides both English and Spanish-language parts search capabilities, backed by a 90-day standard warranty with extended one-year options available.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Used Engines
Quantifiable outcome
- 40-60% cost savings on used engines compared to rebuilt alternatives
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Ace Auto Parts
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ace Auto Parts technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Ace Auto Parts partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- ARA/ROE (Automotive Recyclers Association/Recycled Oil Equipment)minorIndustry association membership showing company affiliation with national automotive recycling industry organizations for Recycled Oil Equipment initiatives.
- PRP (Professional Recyclers Program)minorProfessional Recyclers Program affiliate membership indicating commitment to professional recycling standards and practices.
- URG (United Recyclers Group)minorUnited Recyclers Group membership providing access to national network of recyclers for part location and sourcing coordination.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ace Auto Parts competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Car-Part.com: Online marketplace and inventory search engine connecting buyers with used auto parts from thousands of recyclers. Comparable to Ace's computerized nationwide parts locating infrastructure, functioning as an enabling technology layer rather than a direct yard competitor.
- United Recyclers Group (URG): Cooperative network of automotive recyclers providing part-location and professional standards support. Comparable to Ace because Ace is a URG member and taps this network for nationwide sourcing, making URG an ecosystem participant rather than a competitor.
Direct peers
- LKQ Corporation: The largest North American distributor of used and recycled auto parts, operating hundreds of salvage and recycling facilities. Directly comparable to Ace as a competitor in used OEM parts distribution, though at vastly greater scale and with a national footprint.
- Pull-A-Part: Self-service salvage yard chain with multiple U.S. locations where customers pull their own used parts. Comparable to Ace in core salvage-yard used-parts business model, though Pull-A-Part's self-service format differs from Ace's counter-service and installation offering.
- Copart: Online auction company specializing in salvage and used vehicles, supplying inventory that feeds the used-parts supply chain. Comparable as a participant in the same salvage-vehicle ecosystem from which Ace sources junk cars and parts inventory.
- U-Pull-&-Pay: Self-service salvage yard chain offering used auto parts at fixed prices across multiple U.S. states. Comparable to Ace as a peer in the retail used auto parts category, with similar customer demographic of cost-conscious vehicle owners and DIY mechanics.
- Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA): Salvage vehicle auction company (now part of RB Global) serving insurers, fleet operators, and dismantlers. Comparable as a supplier-side participant in the same end-of-life vehicle value chain that Ace taps for its junk car purchasing program.
- Pick-N-Pull: Self-service used auto parts retailer operating dozens of salvage yards across the U.S. and Canada. Comparable to Ace as a direct competitor in retailing used OEM parts from salvaged vehicles, though with a self-service rather than counter-service model.
Broad incumbents
- AutoZone: Major U.S. auto parts retailer serving DIY and commercial customers with broad new-parts inventory. Comparable to Ace as a destination for replacement auto parts, but with a fundamentally different new-parts-only value proposition versus Ace's used OEM positioning.
- NAPA Auto Parts: Largest U.S. specialty retailer of automotive parts, primarily new aftermarket parts with some recycled offerings. Comparable to Ace as an auto parts retailer serving professional and DIY customers, though NAPA's catalog skews heavily to new parts versus Ace's used-OEM focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ace Auto Parts social profiles
Digital presenceAce Auto Parts financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ace Auto Parts leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Ace Auto Parts funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ace Auto Parts M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ace Auto Parts
What does Ace Auto Parts do?
Ace Auto Parts operates a family-owned salvage yard that sells used OEM automotive parts including engines, transmissions, front ends, bumpers, doors, radiators, and rims/wheels, sourced from salvaged vehicles and tested for reliability. The company also offers on-site installation services for tires, auto glass, side mirrors, and lights, and purchases junk vehicles from customers with free towing. A computerized nationwide parts locating network allows the company to source rare or specific components from several hundred partner yards across the United States.
Is Ace Auto Parts a public or private company?
Ace Auto Parts is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Ace Auto Parts founded?
Ace Auto Parts was founded in 1929. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ace Auto Parts based?
Ace Auto Parts is headquartered in Saint Paul, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ace Auto Parts make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Used Auto Parts Sales are the primary driver. The others are junk Car / Vehicle Purchase Program, installation Services and extended Warranty Programs.
Who are Ace Auto Parts's main competitors?
Others on record are Car-Part.com and United Recyclers Group (URG). Direct peers are LKQ Corporation, Pull-A-Part, Copart, U-Pull-&-Pay, Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA) and Pick-N-Pull. Broad incumbents are AutoZone and NAPA Auto Parts.
Does Ace Auto Parts have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ace Auto Parts.
What industry is Ace Auto Parts in?
Ace Auto Parts's product category is Used Auto Parts Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAIAJAF, Used Auto Parts Recovery & Resale (Salvage/Yard Parts, Rebuilders), with a secondary code of TLAKAAAA, General Automotive Repair & Maintenance. Its NAICS code is 42314 and its SIC code is 3714.