US Tire & Exhaust Selects CarParts Technologies' OpenWebs Platform to Build Multi-State Trading Network
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif.--May 7, 2003--CarParts Technologies Inc. (CPT), the leading provider of open, eCommerce and business automation software solutions for the automotive aftermarket, today announced US Tire & Exhaust (UST&E), a division of U.S. Oil Co., Inc. that develops opportunities as a distributor of automotive related parts and tires, chose CarParts Technologies' OpenWebs(TM) Intelligent Trading Network (ITN) and VAST auto service management system for its electronic trading needs and point-of-sale (POS). UST&E purchased CarParts Technologies' ITN to provide its customers with application-to-application eCommerce trading capabilities.
"We chose CarParts Technologies because of their visible industry expertise, track record of working closely with the nation's third largest tire company and the breadth of their solution portfolio. We also see great value in the access we get through CPT to industry-leading catalog data," said Randy Groh, director of marketing at UST&E. "This combination of market leading capabilities will help us reduce costs, convert paper orders to more accurate online orders and help us provide better service to our fast growing customer base of tire and automotive repair shops in five states. We expect 20 percent of our customers to be ordering online within 12 months -- with our ultimate goal being 50 percent. Our research has convinced us that online ordering embedded inside our customers Point-of-Sale will make adoption occur faster."
Integrated Distribution Efficiency
The added value of an electronic ordering solution that is embedded into the point-of-sale process enhances efficiencies at both the service dealer and warehouse levels. The OpenWebs Commerce Server product line enables complete, end-to-end connectivity between manufacturers, distributors, program groups, fleets, installers and chains, facilitating intelligent tire trading and integrated parts ordering. CarParts Technologies' VAST solution for auto service retailers with integrated external purchasing capabilities is the market leading point-of-sale system for multi-site auto service chains. VAST is a complete service and repair shop management solution that includes estimating, inventory management, scheduling and electronic order processing.
"Although many wholesalers have attempted to construct their own browser based eCommerce systems, we have found that retail service stores tend to look at their inventory on-hand first, while quoting the customer. Logging into the wholesalers is often a long, time-consuming process, as is phoning the wholesaler to find out if tires are available," said Dave McCann, CEO of CarParts Technologies. "CarParts Technologies OpenWebs and VAST make it so much easier and more efficient to do business electronically. UST&E will be able to reduce the amount of time their sales people are on the phone. They can increase sales without reducing staff by having their sales people be more productive."
About CarParts Technologies Inc.
CarParts Technologies Inc. is the leading provider of extended supply chain software solutions for the automotive aftermarket. The CarParts Technologies OpenWebs eCommerce platform enables efficient online trade, integration and collaboration between B2B marketplaces, buyers, suppliers and commerce service providers. The solutions are used in more than 3,000 leading aftermarket outlets including tier 1 manufacturers, program groups, tire and service chains, warehouse distributors and independent installers.
CarParts Technologies' open, end-to-end solutions allow companies to generate new sales, operate more cost efficiently, accelerate inventory turns and maintain stronger relationships with suppliers and trading partners.
Established in 1997, CarParts Technologies' complete suite of business solutions has delivered compelling returns on investment to customers across the entire aftermarket supply chain. Headquartered in San Juan Capistrano, California, CarParts Technologies has received venture capital funding from @Ventures, the affiliated venture capital arm of CMGI, Rho Ventures, BEV Capital, Investor AB and St. Paul Venture Capital.
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