CarParts Technologies Acquires Anderson BDG
8 January 2001
CarParts Technologies Acquires Anderson BDG
Revolutionary POS and In-Shop Management Tools Build on Comprehensive Suite of
Integrated Enterprise Solutions
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Jan. 8 Continuing its rapid growth in
the automotive aftermarket, CarParts Technologies, a leader in providing
end-to-end supply chain management solutions to the automotive aftermarket,
today announced its acquisition of privately held Anderson BDG, a leading
provider of Point-of-Sale and shop management application software for the
automotive service and repair industry.
The purchase of Anderson BDG provides CarParts Technologies with increased
expertise and resources in the area of shop management systems through VAST,
the Point of Sale software that simplifies in-shop administration and
increases store profitability.
VAST integrates third-party information such as labor time guides, factory
scheduled maintenance databases and aftermarket electronic parts catalogs. It
features fast and easy to use 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."
"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, chief executive officer, CarParts
Technologies. "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 BDG Corp. 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.
With the combined expertise and resources, Anderson BDG Corp. expanded its
efforts to include large national accounts that own and operate service
facilities. Anderson BDG's current install base includes more than 2,600
customer locations in all 50 states and several countries. Customers include
such notable industry leaders as Midas, Monro Muffler Brake & Service, Tuffy,
Meineke, Merlin, CARX, AKH, Inc. dba Discount Tire, and many other
independents and chains.
"We're excited about the resources and strengths we can now offer," said
Art Blumenthal, president, Anderson BDG Corp. "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. 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".
Anderson BDG marks the third acquisition for CarParts Technologies in less
than a year. In October 2000, the company acquired CR Computing Solutions, a
developer and marketer of business applications for wholesalers and jobbers.
Earlier in the year, CarParts Technologies acquired AutoNet International, a
provider of extranet and web development services to WDs and program
distribution groups.
About CarParts Technologies, Inc.
Founded in 1997, CarParts Technologies is a leader in providing end-to-end
supply chain management solutions to the automotive aftermarket. Some
200 warehouse distributors and hundreds of distribution centers in North
America use CarParts Technologies solutions to move auto parts from suppliers
to customers efficiently. The company today employs 285 professionals
(including Anderson BDG).
CarParts Technologies, headquartered in El Segundo, California, offers the
aftermarket and driving public the convenience of online shopping to millions
of automotive products from 600 major suppliers. CarParts Technologies has
received venture capital funding from @Ventures, the affiliated venture
capital arm of CMGI, Rho Management, Barnard & Co., Investor AB Group, Brand
Equity Ventures, St. Paul Venture Capital and Ravenswood Capital Corp.