NORCROSS, Ga. — Mexican auto parts maker and distributor Grupo Gonher S.A. de C.V. has acquired Mighty Distributing System of America Inc., franchisor of Mighty Auto Parts.
The two companies have been longtime business partners, with Gonher distributing OE-quality Mighty brake friction products in Mexico, and Mighty sourcing OE-quality Gonher air filters for the US market, Mighty said.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Monterrey, Mexico-based Gonher is a base manufacturer and prominent OE supplier of several lines of automotive products, including filters, batteries and lubricants.
The company, founded in 1953 by Don Jose C. Gonzalez, distributes products throughout Mexico and exports OE-quality components to 18 other countries. Rodrigo Gonzalez Calderon is CEO, and Mr. Gonzalez, the founder, is chairman.
Ken Voelker, president and CEO of Norcross-based Mighty Distributing, said the timing was ideal because Mighty was "perfectly poised for long-term growth with a strategic international partner. And we couldn´t have asked for a better match considering Gonher Group´s value system, financial strength, and immense manufacturing capabilities to produce some of our most sought after OE-quality products.
"This is clearly a strategic move for both parties," Mr. Voelker added, "and given the complementary nature of the acquisition, there will be very few changes in the day-to-day business at Mighty."
Mr. Voelker will remain president of Mighty and said most of the executive team will stay in place.
Mighty oversees 110 Mighty Auto Parts franchisees and company operations in 43 states. The company said its system of providing inventory management expertise, face-to-face service, and OEM-quality undercar and underhood parts has attracted independent repair shops, car dealerships, quick lubes, and tune-up and tire facilities across the nation.
Mighty was founded in 1963.