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AutoZone To Close Seagoville Distribution Center

27 July 1998

AutoZone To Close Seagoville Distribution Center

    MEMPHIS, Tenn., July 24 -- John C. Adams Jr., chairman and
CEO of AutoZone , announced today the company will be closing the
Seagoville, Texas, distribution center that was purchased in the Chief Auto
Parts acquisition. The facility is one of two distribution centers Chief
operated prior to their acquisition by AutoZone on June 29, 1998. Chief's
other distribution center in Ontario, California, will remain open and
continue to serve AutoZone's current and future stores on the West Coast.
    "This wasn't an easy decision to make. AutoZone currently operates large
distribution centers in Lafayette, Louisiana, and San Antonio, Texas, which
overlap with the stores served by Seagoville," said Adams. "The people in
Seagoville are terrific, and we believe helping them find employment will not
be a difficult task in today's robust job market."
    Approximately 50 people in the Seagoville distribution center will be
affected by this closing, which will take place over the next several months.
Once complete, AutoZone will maintain a small operation in Seagoville to serve
as a cross-dock facility for its stores.
    AutoZone sells auto and light truck parts, chemicals and accessories
through 2,001 AutoZone stores as of May 9, 1998, plus 561 Chief stores
acquired June 29, 1998. In the state of Texas, AutoZone employs more than
7,000 people. AutoZone also sells heavy-duty truck parts through 43 TruckPro
stores in 14 states and automotive diagnostic and repair software through
ALLDATA.