GAP Auto

What GAP Auto does

GAP Auto, operating legally as Gourley's Auto Parts Ltd. and commercially as GAP Professional Products, is a Canadian family-owned manufacturer and marketer of automotive chemical and detailing products. Founded approximately 1984 and headquartered in Keswick Ridge, New Brunswick, the company sells a portfolio of professional-grade automotive care products spanning six categories: Exterior (e.g., WICKED! wash 'n wax, Right Good Stuff! Spray Wax, Hawaiian Shine, Magic Shine), Interior (Blue Gloss Dressing, Big Purple), Performance (Performance Engine Treatment), Equipment (Premium Injector Kit), Safety, and Sanitation (Auto Odour Eliminator). The technical foundation rests on in-house chemical engineering, most notably the Auto Odour Eliminator which uses chlorine dioxide activation chemistry to neutralize difficult odors including urine, sour milk, and cigarette smoke. The company holds the registered GAP Professional Products trademark and operates a small team (11-50 employees) with leadership drawn from the Gourley family plus a non-family executive.

GAP Auto generates revenue through a multi-stream model. Core revenue comes from one-time product sales of automotive performance chemicals, cleaning products, waxes, dressings, engine treatments, and car wash equipment sold through the direct-to-consumer e-commerce warehouse at gappro.ca. Adjacent streams include professional training services (Sales & Service Training, Professional Detail Training, Technical Training), in-house marketing services (graphic design, print, digital), and private label manufacturing and branding for automotive businesses. Distribution is primarily direct via the e-commerce storefront, supplemented by a Roadside Assistance Program whose registration codes are distributed through service centers where customers qualify. Customer segments are vertically defined: automotive service businesses (car washes, detailers, service centers, repair shops) as the primary segment, and fleet operators as a secondary segment. In 2024 the GAP Group completed a strategic merger that expanded the company from a New Brunswick regional operator to a national Canadian player. The company explicitly states it is no longer affiliated with Wynn's ITW. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and follows a quote-based model for bulk and private label orders.

Name

GAP Auto

Legal name

Gourley's Auto Parts Ltd.

Website

https://gapauto.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GAP Auto is a Canadian family-owned manufacturer and marketer of professional-grade automotive chemicals, detailing products, and equipment, selling direct to automotive service businesses and fleets across Canada via e-commerce, training, and private label services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Care Products

NAICS

Automotive Parts and Accessories Retailers (44133), Automotive Parts and Accessories Retailers (441330), Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Tire Retailers (4413)

SIC

Retail-Auto & Home Supply Stores (5531), Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive Parts & Accessories Omnichannel (CRAFAEAL)

Keywords

• Automotive detailing chemicals
• Car wash products
• Engine treatments
• Professional detailing equipment
• Automotive cleaning supplies

Headquarters

HQ city

Keswick

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Sale of automotive performance chemicals, cleaning products, waxes, dressings, engine treatments, and car wash equipment through e-commerce platform
2. Training Services: Professional training services including Sales & Service Training, Professional Detail Training, and Technical Training for automotive businesses
3. Marketing Services: In-house marketing services including Graphic Design, Print Marketing, and Digital Marketing for customers
4. Private Label: Private label manufacturing and branding services for automotive products

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GAP Auto (GAP Professional Products) is a Canadian family-owned manufacturer and marketer of professional-grade automotive care chemicals, cleaning products, waxes, dressings, engine treatments, and car wash equipment. The company sells these products directly through its online warehouse to automotive service businesses and consumers across Canada, and complements them with professional training, in-house marketing support, private label manufacturing, and a roadside assistance program.

Product overview

GAP Auto (GAP Professional Products) is a Canadian family-owned automotive chemical and detailing products company operating for over 40 years. The company offers a portfolio of professional-grade automotive care products organized across six main categories: Exterior (wash, wax, shine products like WICKED! wash 'n wax, Right Good Stuff! Spray Wax, Hawaiian Shine, Magic Shine), Interior (dressings like Blue Gloss Dressing and Big Purple), Performance (engine treatments like Performance Engine Treatment), Equipment (professional tools like Premium Injector Kit), Safety, and Sanitation (Auto Odour Eliminator). The product lineup also includes a Roadside Assistance Program as a complementary service offering. GAP sells directly through their online warehouse/shop platform and supports customers with training, marketing, and strategic partner services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WICKED! wash 'n wax Cherry-scented car wash soap that delivers a spotlessly clean and gleaming finish; sold in 4L format to automotive service businesses and consumers.
• Performance Engine Treatment Engine treatment product that protects engine components and fortifies all engine oils to meet extended oil change interval requirements; sold in 300ml format.
• Auto Odour Eliminator (AOE) Chemical engineering product that creates chlorine dioxide when activated to eliminate odours including urine, sour milk, cigarette smoke, and other difficult odours.
• Right Good Stuff! Spray Wax Aerosol spray wax product in a 390 g 12-case format for car detailing and shine maintenance.
• Hawaiian Shine 20L Large-format 20L car wash soap product for commercial or heavy-use applications.
• Magic Shine Aerosol shine product in a 340 g 12-case format for vehicle surface finishing.
• Blue Gloss Dressing 500ml Interior dressing product in 500ml format for vehicle surface treatment and gloss enhancement.
• Big Purple 500ml Interior surface dressing product in 500ml format for vehicle detailing.
• Premium Injector Kit Professional detailing equipment kit (12-case) for injection applications.
• Roadside Assistance Program Registration-based roadside assistance program for customers who qualify at service centers.
• Professional Training Services Professional training services including Sales & Service Training, Professional Detail Training, and Technical Training for automotive businesses, designed to improve employee production, CSI scores, and employee retention.
• In-House Marketing Services In-house marketing services including Graphic Design, Print Marketing, and Digital Marketing offered to customers to connect GAP products to end users.
• Private Label Manufacturing Private label manufacturing and branding services that allow businesses to sell GAP-formulated automotive products under their own brand.

Quantifiable outcome

• Training results in better employee production, better CSI scores, and increased employee retention

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Rain-XminorOthersRain-X products are offered as part of GAP Auto's service offerings, with Inspection Pal listed as another service partner in their inquiry form options for customers.
• Inspection PalminorOthersInspection Pal is offered as a service option in GAP Auto's service inquiry form, suggesting an integration or partnership for vehicle inspection services.
• Strategic Partners (Unnamed)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAP Auto states 'From global leaders in additives to industry innovators, our strategic partners help us make your experience exceptional.' Mentioned in their Strategic Partners service section but specific partner names are not listed.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Koch-Chemie: German manufacturer of professional-grade automotive detailing chemicals and equipment serving car washes, detailers, and dealerships globally. Closely comparable to GAP's professional, B2B-led positioning and its emphasis on training-supported chemical programs.
• Griot's Garage: US premium car care brand with a strong enthusiast and professional detailing following, selling polishes, soaps, dressings, and equipment. Comparable to GAP's product breadth and its D2C e-commerce distribution approach.
• Turtle Wax: Long-established US car care brand offering waxes, washes, dressings, and interior cleaners to both DIY consumers and professional channels. Overlaps directly with GAP's catalog across exterior and interior categories and competes for the same detailing-shop shelf space.
• Simoniz: North American manufacturer of professional car wash chemicals, soaps, waxes, and equipment with a long history in the service-channel market. Comparable to GAP on chemical formulation, car-wash customer base, and category coverage across exterior and sanitation.
• Sonax: German premium car care brand producing washes, waxes, dressings, and detailing chemicals distributed globally through professional and consumer channels. Comparable to GAP on professional-grade positioning, full exterior/interior catalog, and training-supported programs.
• Malco Products: US manufacturer of professional automotive detailing and cleaning chemicals serving car washes, detailers, and dealerships. Comparable to GAP on professional-channel focus, chemical formulation, and integrated training programs.
• Mothers Polish: US-based maker of polishes, waxes, and detailing products sold through both professional and enthusiast channels. Overlaps with GAP's Exterior and Interior categories and competes for the same detailing-shop customer relationships.
• Meguiar's: Iconic US-based automotive surface care brand (now part of 3M) selling detailing chemicals, waxes, and dressings through professional and consumer channels. Directly comparable to GAP's Exterior, Interior, and Performance product pillars and its car-wash/detailer customer base.
• Chemical Guys: US detailing chemicals and equipment brand built on a professional-grade, enthusiast-focused portfolio of soaps, waxes, dressings, and equipment. Closely comparable to GAP in product breadth, professional target segment, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce go-to-market.

Broad incumbents

• Illinois Tool Works (ITW) / Wynn's: Global diversified industrial manufacturer whose Wynn's division was GAP's former affiliate; ITW operates across automotive chemicals, additives, and service products. Comparable as a broad incumbent that previously housed GAP-aligned product lines and competes in the same engine-treatment and service-channel segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCv24_09YaLR7B1iM1G9gIyg
• Facebookfacebook.com/gogapauto
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gapauto
• Instagraminstagram.com/gogappro
• Xx.com/gogapauto

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 GAP Auto