What Apec does

Apec is a UK-headquartered supplier of automotive aftermarket parts, founded in 1965 in Bristol (as The Automotive Power Equipment Company) and now operating as Apec Limited, a privately held subsidiary of Alliance Automotive Group. Its functional role is the design, manufacture, and distribution of OE-matched replacement parts for the independent vehicle-service channel — most importantly motor factors and aftermarket repair shops across the UK and Ireland. The product portfolio is anchored in braking components (brake pads, discs, drums, calipers) — its 60-year heritage category — and has been extended into a comprehensive Components catalogue spanning steering and suspension, shock absorbers, rotating electrics (starter motors and alternators), power steering pumps, wheel bearings, water pumps, clutch kits, coil springs, air springs, drivetrain parts, thermostats, timing chain kits, top mounts, door mirrors, EV cables, and lighting units, with dedicated Apec Truck and Apec Lubricants sub-brands covering commercial-vehicle braking and fluid consumables respectively.

Manufacturing relies on OE-matched specifications, with differentiated technical attributes including cataphoresis anti-corrosion coating with up to 900 hours of salt spray testing on steering and suspension components and a 4,000,000-cycle life cycle test plus 72-hour ASTM B117 salt fog test for shock absorbers. Manufacturing facilities hold IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 certifications, and the company supports a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty across steering, suspension, shock absorbers, and rotating electric products, alongside a 10-year anti-corrosion guarantee on steering and suspension parts. Technical support and technician training are delivered through the in-house TechMate team.

The business model is B2B wholesale distribution: Apec generates revenue by selling parts to motor factors and distributor chains, principally via the NAPA AUTO PARTS network, which spans over 300 branches across the UK and Ireland including a dedicated commercial-vehicle channel (NAPA AUTO PARTS COMMERCIAL), and via direct sales to motor factor accounts. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and operates under standard aftermarket wholesale terms. Marketing combines bottom-of-funnel distribution through NAPA, mid-funnel technical content and TechMate training, and top-of-funnel brand presence on its own website (apecautomotive.co.uk), Twitter/X, Facebook, and Linktree. Headcount is reported at 101–250 employees in firmographic data, while a 2021–22 Gender Pay Gap report for the Apec reporting entity captured 2,358 employees (with a further 945 in a related FPS Ltd entity), creating a notable discrepancy in the size signal.

Name

Apec

Legal name

Apec Limited

Website

https://apecautomotive.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Apec is a 60-year-old UK-headquartered automotive aftermarket parts brand and subsidiary of Alliance Automotive Group, supplying OE-matched braking, steering, suspension, rotating electrics, and consumables to motor factors and repair shops across the UK and Ireland via the NAPA AUTO PARTS network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Brake System Manufacturing (33634), Motor Vehicle Steering and Suspension Components (except Spring) Manufacturing (33633), Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (3363), Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing (336320), Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (336390)

SIC

Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714), Wholesale-Motor Vehicles & Motor Vehicle Parts & Supplies (5010), Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Aftermarket Brake Components Manufacturing (Pads/Rotors/Calipers/Lines) (IMACANAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aftermarket Suspension & Steering Components Manufacturing (Shocks/Struts/Bushings/Tie Rods) (IMACANAC), Aftermarket Drivetrain & Powertrain Components Manufacturing (Clutches/CV Axles/Alternators/Starters) (IMACANAD), Aftermarket Fluids, Lubricants & Chemical Products Manufacturing (Oils/Coolants/Additives/Cleaners) (IMACANAK), Paint, refinishing & body shop supplies distribution (coatings, abrasives, tools, consumables) (CRAOANAF)

Keywords

• Automotive aftermarket parts
• Braking components
• Steering and suspension
• Commercial vehicle brakes
• Automotive components supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Aftermarket Automotive Parts Distribution: Apec generates revenue through the wholesale distribution of automotive aftermarket parts, including braking components, steering, suspension, rotating electrics, and other vehicle parts to motor factors and automotive repair shops across the UK and Ireland

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Apec manufactures and distributes OE-matched quality automotive aftermarket parts through a network of NAPA AUTO PARTS distributors across the UK and Ireland. Its portfolio spans braking components (pads, discs, drums, calipers), steering and suspension parts, shock absorbers, rotating electrics, power steering pumps, wheel bearings, water pumps, lubricants, and commercial vehicle braking parts, sold to motor factors and automotive repair shops.

Product overview

Apec is an automotive aftermarket parts supplier established in 1965, specializing in braking components as its core heritage while expanding into a comprehensive range of OE-matched quality automotive parts. The product portfolio includes Apec Braking (brake pads, discs, drums, calipers) as the primary offering, Apec Components spanning steering & suspension, shock absorbers, rotating electrics, power steering pumps, wheel bearings, water pumps, air springs, clutch kits, coil springs, drivetrain, EV cables, and more. The company also offers Apec Truck for commercial vehicle braking and Apec Lubricants for engine oil and coolant products. TechMate provides technical support and training services. All products carry a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TechMate: Technical support and training service providing technical expertise, product knowledge, and best practices guidance to Apec customers and motor factor staff.
• Apec Braking
• Apec Components
• Apec Truck
• Apec Lubricants

Quantifiable outcome

• 10-year anti-corrosion guarantee on steering and suspension components
• +5 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Alliance Automotive GroupcoreOthersApec is a subsidiary brand of Alliance Automotive Group, a major European distributor and wholesaler of automotive aftermarket parts, consumables, maintenance products, accessories and retail products. The group operates across multiple locations in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
• NAPA AUTO PARTScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNAPA AUTO PARTS is the primary distribution channel for Apec products across the UK and Ireland, with over 300 branch locations serving motor factors and automotive repair shops. Apec-branded products are marketed through this established distribution network.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Apecautomotive
• Facebookfacebook.com/Apecautomotive
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/apec-automotive

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Apec