Advance Auto Parts Opens 3,000th Corporate Store; Momentous Milestone Marked with Celebratory Event
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The Salina store is part of the company's Western area, which spans from the Great Lakes to Texas and west to Colorado. The Western area has experienced significant organic growth, with more than 170 new stores opening since 2004, and currently has more than 600 stores that employ more than 6,000 Team Members.
"On behalf of our Team Members across our Western operations, we are humbled to be a part of this significant company milestone," said Donald Lockard, Senior Vice President, Store Operations - West. "It is fitting that the 3,000th corporate store is located in the Midwest where Advance Auto Parts is aggressively growing its store base."
Since 1995, Advance has added over 2,000 stores to its operations through new store openings and strategic acquisitions. For a perspective of Advance's significant and rapid growth, the company opened its first store in 1932, its 1,000th in 1998, its 2,000th store in 2001, and its 2,500th store in 2003. Since 1995, sales have grown at a 21.6% compound annual growth rate from $603 million in 1995 to $4.3 billion in 2005.
"As we celebrate our 3,000th corporate store opening, I want to extend my personal thanks to Advance's more than 43,000 Team Members on a job well done as they remain focused on serving our customers, building our brand, and growing our company," said Michael Coppola, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "With this store opening, we are now halfway to our goal of operating 6,000 stores nationwide. We are also on the cusp of celebrating five years as a public company and 75 years of serving our customers. The year ahead holds many opportunities for the Advance Auto Parts team to celebrate our history and accomplishments, and to get even more excited about our future opportunities and achievements."
As with all new Advance stores, the Salina store features the company's exciting and innovative 2010 store format. That format is distinguished by updated lighting, attractive and bright new signage highlighting Advance's quality parts and products at value prices, and more exciting product displays that help customers find related items quickly and easily. The Salina store also offers a variety of free services, which are offered at all Advance Auto Parts stores. These free services include windshield wiper installations, electrical system checks, battery installations, and motor oil and battery recycling. In addition, the store offers fast parts delivery to local garages and automotive repair centers.
"Our team's commitment to providing Legendary Customer Service is truly the hallmark of our company's success," said Paul Klasing, Executive Vice President, Stores. "By growing our store base and providing a variety of helpful and convenient services, we are building opportunities for our team across our operations and enhancing their ability to serve our customers better than ever. In 2006, Advance will continue to build on our reputation of providing Legendary Customer Service with the opening of more than 200 new stores."
The company will celebrate the opening of its 3,000th corporate store on Thursday, September 14 with a ribbon cutting at the Salina store. Messrs. Coppola, Klasing, Lockard, other company executives and Team Members from the area will attend the ceremony.
About Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts is the second-largest retailer of automotive parts, accessories, batteries and maintenance items in the United States based on sales and store count. As of September 14, 2006, the company will operate 3,000 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The company serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets.
Additional information about the company, employment opportunities, services, as well as on-line purchase of parts and accessories can be found on the company's Web site at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com.