Aktieselskabet CARL CHRISTENSEN

What Aktieselskabet CARL CHRISTENSEN does

Aktieselskabet CARL CHRISTENSEN (CAC) is a Danish automotive spare-parts distributor founded in 1927 and wholly owned by the charitable foundation CAC Fonden. The company runs a nationwide B2B distribution network under the au2parts brand, comprising 39 branches, 200+ delivery vehicles performing 4–8 deliveries daily, and ~850 employees. It carries around 100,000 SKUs in stock with access to 450,000+ item numbers, and operates Autostore automated warehouses in Aarhus (66 robots) and Glostrup (16 robots) to support high-throughput picking.

CAC serves Danish automotive workshops through multiple layered concepts — AutoPartner, Teknicar, No-Name, LongLife Center (in partnership with LIQUI MOLY), Det grønne e (EV/HEV), CAC Certificering, and RudeCenter — bundling logistics, training, certification, and shop-marketing services with parts supply. The au2web electronic catalog is installed at 3,500+ workshops, ~99% of orders are electronic, and ~70% originate from workshops via the onlineautodele.dk portal. CAC is also a shareholder of the international purchasing cooperative Temot International, a relationship in place since 1997.

The business model is asset-heavy B2B distribution monetized on parts margin and workshop-service fees, with disclosed revenue of 1.5+ billion DKK. CAC's 2018 perimeter restructuring (merging Eurodeal, divesting Aabenraa Cylinder Service and CAC Industri & Marine) was a deliberate refocus on core distribution; subsequent capex has flowed into warehouse automation (Autostore), new EV/HEV positioning (Det grønne e, 2021), and partnership-led concept expansion (LIQUI MOLY LongLife Center, 2020; TPC pilot with SELECT, 2022).

Name

Aktieselskabet CARL CHRISTENSEN

Legal name

Aktieselskabet CARL CHRISTENSEN

Website

https://cac.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Aktieselskabet CARL CHRISTENSEN is a Danish B2B automotive spare-parts distributor running 39 au2parts branches and two Autostore automated warehouses, serving 3,500+ workshops with parts, logistics, certification, and multi-brand shop concepts at 1.5B+ DKK revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Spare Parts Distribution

NAICS

Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42385)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive, Tools & Industrial Supplies (B2B) (CRAEAEAH)

Keywords

• Automotive spare parts distribution
• B2B auto parts wholesale
• Automotive aftermarket supply
• Workshop support services
• Automotive components trading

Headquarters

HQ city

Brabrand

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Auto Spare Parts Distribution: B2B wholesale distribution of automotive spare parts to workshops. Revenue generated from product margins on sale of nearly 100,000 different items including engine parts, brakes, clutches, steering, electrical components. Parts are OE quality, supplied from factories that also deliver to automotive assembly lines.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Aktieselskabet CARL CHRISTENSEN (CAC) is a B2B wholesale distributor of OE-quality automotive spare parts, supplying nearly 100,000 different items (engine parts, brakes, clutches, steering, electrical components) to automotive workshops and wholesalers in Denmark. The company distributes primarily through its au2parts network of 39 branches, complemented by electronic ordering via the au2web catalog and automated warehouse fulfillment, and offers a portfolio of workshop concepts covering certification, training, marketing support, and EV/hybrid service competencies.

Product overview

Aktieselskabet CARL CHRISTENSEN (CAC) is a trading and industrial company founded in 1927, operating as a B2B automotive parts distributor with group turnover exceeding 1.5 billion DKK and approximately 850 employees. The company operates a multi-product platform centered around au2parts, Denmark's largest Danish-owned auto wholesaler, which distributes spare parts through 39 local departments covering nearly all of Denmark. The product portfolio includes workshop concepts (AutoPartner, Teknicar, No-Name), certification services (CAC Certificering), specialized networks (LongLife Center with LIQUI MOLY, Det grønne e for electric/hybrid vehicles), e-commerce platforms (au2web catalog, onlineautodele.dk), and participation in the global Temot International purchasing network. The company maintains automated warehouses with Autostore systems in Aarhus and Glostrup, holding nearly 100,000 different items in stock with access to over 450,000 product numbers for online ordering.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• au2parts: The largest Danish-owned auto wholesaler in Denmark. Through efficient logistics and delivery of brand products in original quality, they focus on giving customers good service every day. Operates 39 departments covering almost all of Denmark with multiple daily deliveries to local workshops.
• AutoPartner
• Teknicar
• CAC Certificering
• LongLife Center
• au2web
• No-Name
• RudeCenter
• Det grønne e

Products and services

• au2parts Distribution Network Largest Danish-owned auto wholesaler in Denmark, distributing OE-quality automotive spare parts through 39 branches covering nearly all of Denmark with multiple daily deliveries to workshops.
• AutoPartner Workshop Concept Nationwide association of independent workshops designed to make local workshops visible and create a foundation for success through collective marketing and business support.
• Teknicar Workshop Chain Workshop chain concept for workshops that want to take advantage of a nationwide workshop community, providing marketing support and technical data access.
• No-Name Workshop Concept Tailored workshop concept adapted to each workshop's name, customers, and business. Workshops retain their own name and logo and market themselves independently, not as a chain.
• CAC Certificering (CAC Certification) Annual certification program ensuring that prerequisites for well-performed workshop work are in place, including further education, technical data, diagnostic equipment, environmentally correct waste disposal, and tool control. Annual control with a 1-to-5 points scoring system.
• LongLife Center Nationwide network in collaboration with LIQUI MOLY where LIQUI MOLY products (additives, engine cleaners, car care) combined with professionally trained staff at workshops constitute the core value.
• au2web Electronic Catalog Web-based electronic spare parts catalog providing workshops and dealers with access to over 450,000 item numbers including spare parts, tools, consumables, and more. Installed at more than 3,500 Danish workshops and dealers.
• Det grønne e (The Green e) Additional training in repair and servicing of electric and hybrid cars, signaling to customers that the workshop has the training and competencies to service all electric and hybrid vehicles.
• RudeCenter Workshop Concept Workshop concept supplement providing workshops with training and technical knowledge for mounting and servicing automotive glass (windscreens).
• onlineautodele.dk Ordering and Administration Platform Accounting and administration system for auto wholesalers with e-commerce functionality for workshops. Nearly 70% of orders come electronically from workshops via this platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.5+ billion DKK in annual revenue
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SELECT (Germany)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Established Temot Purchase Community (TPC) together with German company SELECT as a pilot project under Temot International.
• LIQUI MOLYcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership to establish LongLife Center concept - a nationwide network combining LIQUI MOLY products (additives, engine cleaners, car care) with trained workshop staff as the core value.
• Temot InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1997CAC became a shareholder in 1997 and plays an active role in this global purchasing consortium for auto parts. The partnership provides access to international supplier network and competitive pricing through collective purchasing power.
• GoetzecoreOthersDistribution agreement for piston rings and gasket sets. One of two oldest distribution agreements, intact for more than 90 years since early 1930s.
• MahlecoreOthersDistribution agreement for pistons. One of two oldest distribution agreements, intact for more than 90 years since early 1930s.
• Element LogiccoreTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of Autostore automated warehouse systems. CAC invested more than 50 million DKK in Autostore systems from Element Logic.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• LKQ Corporation: US-headquartered global distributor of aftermarket automotive parts with extensive European operations through Stahlgruber and other units. Directly comparable business model of B2B parts distribution to workshops, but operating across many countries with vastly greater scale.
• Bosch Automotive Aftermarket: Global OE and aftermarket parts supplier with workshop relationships across Europe. Comparable in OE-quality positioning and workshop tooling/training support, though Bosch is a manufacturer more than a pure distributor.
• Genuine Parts Company (NAPA): US-based global distributor (parent of Alliance Automotive) supplying vehicle parts through NAPA and other banners worldwide. Comparable OE-quality parts distribution but vastly larger and more diversified geographically.

Direct peers

• AD International: European aftermarket distribution network with member companies operating distribution centers and serving workshops across multiple countries. Comparable workshop-oriented distribution model and Temot-adjacent purchasing philosophy.
• Stahlgruber: German B2B auto parts distributor (now part of LKQ Europe) operating a multi-tier branch network serving workshops daily. Highly comparable in distribution intensity and OE-quality parts focus.
• Alliance Automotive Group: European automotive aftermarket distributor (owned by Genuine Parts Company) operating B2B parts distribution networks across multiple European countries. Closest peer in terms of multi-tier distribution and workshop relationships.
• FTZ Autodele: Danish/Nordic competitor in B2B auto parts distribution serving workshops with similar delivery and catalog propositions. Closest direct competitor within Denmark's geographic footprint.

Emerging players

• Mekra Lang: German automotive supplier with Temot International affiliation. Comparable in its OEM-aligned quality positioning and aftermarket channel partnerships, though more specialized in mirrors and vision systems.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carl-christensen-a-s

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries4 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 →

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