CarParts Buys Anderson

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--CarParts Technologies, which provides end-to-end supply chain management solutions to the automotive aftermarket, has bought Anderson BDG, a provider of Point-of-Sale and shop management application software for the automotive service and repair industry. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“Anderson BDG is a well-respected company in the automotive service industry with a tradition of providing visionary design, development and distribution of systems that will help CarParts meet the changing IT needs of our customers,” said Alan Bennett, CarParts’ chief executive officer. “We look forward to leveraging the synergies and expertise they provide in order to continue offering industry-leading technologies to the automotive aftermarket.”

Founded in 1992, Anderson is the product of a merger between Anderson Undercar Software Inc. and Business Data Group. Both companies started in 1984 specializing in the installation of Point-of-Sale computer systems for the automotive service and repair industry.

Anderson then expanded its efforts to include large national accounts that own and operate service facilities. Anderson’s current install base includes more than 2,600 customer locations in all 50 states and several countries. Customers include Midas, Monro Muffler Brake & Service, Tuffy, Meineke, Merlin, CARX, Discount Tire and other independents and chains.

“We’re excited about the resources and strengths we can now offer,” said Art Blumenthal, Anderson’s president. “The commitment that CarParts Technologies has to grow its aftermarket e-commerce business will be seen as a positive measure among the employees and customers. We look forward to joining CarParts Technologies and offering a new level of integrated solutions that embraces our core values--customer service, leading-edge technology and product development,” he said.

“Their resources will help us accelerate the rollout of VAST to our existing customers and prepare us to best serve the major new customers now piloting our state-of-the-art 32-bit Windows shop management and multi-store back office applications,” Blumenthal added.

Anderson marks the third acquisition for CarParts in less than a year. This past October, the company bought CR Computing Solutions, a developer and marketer of business applications for wholesalers and jobbers. Earlier in the year, CarParts purchased AutoNet International, a provider of extranet and web development services to WDs and program distribution groups. The company today employs 285, including the Anderson staff..

The purchase of Anderson brings CarParts increased resources for shop management systems through its VAST Point of Sale software, designed to simplify in-shop administration and increase store profitability, according to Bennett.

VAST integrates third-party information such as labor time guides, factory scheduled maintenance databases and aftermarket electronic parts catalogs. It features point and click estimating, appointment scheduling, sales and technician reporting, single and multi-store inventory control, parts ordering, and outside purchases tracking for both large and small auto service and tire dealers.

“As a customer, we couldn’t be more excited about the potential these combined companies offer our Midas shops,” said Tracy Beers, general manager of Prenlyn Enterprises, an owner and operator of eight Midas shops in Philadelphia, Pa. “The integration of online parts lookup and ordering, automatic labor lookup, service scheduling and outstanding shop management tools will eliminate the headache of managing multiple systems from multiple vendors. We offer our customers a one-stop shop for their automotive needs--we’re pleased to have CarParts Technologies and Anderson BDG offer us the same.”

For more information, contact www.CarParts.com.