By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Carquest, an automobile parts and supplies store, has been bought out by Advance Auto Parts.
According to a press release provided to the Houlton Pioneer Times by Dave Bubar, store manager of the Houlton Carquest store, the purchase is part of Advance Auto Parts buying General Parts International Inc. for $2.04 billion in cash, which the companies say will create the biggest automotive replacement parts provider in North America.
“This transformational transaction provides a compelling strategic opportunity for Advance to expand our geographic presence and commercial capabilities to better serve customers,” said Advance Auto CEO Darren Jackson in the press release.
As part of the transaction, which is expected to close later this year or early in 2014, Advance Auto will obtain 1,246 company operated stores and 1,418 independently owned Carquest locations.
The Roanoke seller of auto parts and batteries currently operates more than 4,015 stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. General Parts is a privately held distributor and supplier of original equipment and aftermarket replacement products for commercial markets operating under the Carquest and Worldpac brands. The combined company will be based in Roanoke., and continue to have a presence in Raleigh, N.C.
The Houlton branch has 10 employees. Bubar said there has been no indication that his store, or any others, would be closing. Nor did he know if the company would be changing its name as part of the sale. There are five Carquest Auto locations in Aroostook County — Houlton, Presque Isle, Caribou, Fort Fairfield and Ashland.
