International Parts Launches Pilot Program With Discount Auto Parts
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--Jan. 25, 2001--International Parts, Inc. and Discount Auto Parts, Inc. today announced an initiative that will expand Discount Auto Parts' product offering to include recycled parts. Under the arrangement, International Parts will be the primary source for recycled and rebuilt parts, which Discount Auto Parts generally does not stock. The pilot will launch in 34 stores in the Jacksonville, Fla. market at the end of January.
International Parts, established in Jacksonville, Fla. in 1992, has developed a proprietary database of more than 3,000 auto recyclers, parts rebuilders and aftermarket manufacturers with an inventory of over 6,000,000 parts. The company operates a call center to take customer orders and uses its database to locate and facilitate delivery of parts. The Discount Auto Parts Team Members will be able to offer their customers a higher level of service by utilizing the call center to source recycled parts. International Parts' e-commerce business channel was launched in August, 2000 taking customer orders via the Internet at ezfindparts.com. Through the Web site, customers can search the database, compare available parts and order completely online.
"As our business grows, we continue to explore new ways to adapt our core business model to work in other business channels," said Lonnie Margol, President, International Parts. "Our alliance with Discount Auto Parts will enable International Parts to expand its product distribution and will enable Discount Auto Parts to provide its customers with products it doesn't traditionally stock."
Discount Auto Parts, Inc. is one of the Southeast's leading specialty retailers and suppliers of automotive replacement parts, maintenance items and accessories to do-it-yourself consumers, professional mechanics and service technicians. The company currently operates a chain of over 650 retail stores throughout Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and South Carolina.
"We're enthusiastic about the pilot program with International Parts as our associate in supplying customers with reliable, quality recycled parts," said Tom Merk, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Discount Auto Parts. "We anticipate the program will enable us to fill orders that we would typically have to refer to another supplier."
Trends show that Americans are keeping their cars longer, with 9.1 years being the average age of vehicles on the road today. Auto parts retailers are seeing increased demand for replacement parts for older models. The trend is expected to continue as car mileage accumulates, now averaging 14,000 miles per year.
International Parts, Inc. is the world's largest parts locating service specializing in locating recycled, rebuilt and new parts for both foreign and domestic cars and light trucks. For more information on International Parts, visit the company's Web site at www.ezfindparts.com.