Auto Plus growing in N.J., N.C., Va.

KENNESAW, Ga. — IEH Auto Parts L.L.C., the holding company for Auto Plus and Pep Boys – Manny, Moe & Jack, has acquired Auto Plus-affiliated distributors in New Jersey and North Carolina and opened a corporate-owned Auto Plus store in the Roanoke, Va., area.

The acquisition of Hapi Auto Parts, a business with stores in Hillsborough and Lebanon, N.J., increases the company's density in one of its top target markets, according to IEH Auto Parts President and CEO Brent Windom.

The company already operates eight Auto Plus corporate-owned stores and a Pep Boys Supercenter in the area.

Hapi Auto Parts has been serving customers in northern New Jersey with foreign and domestic auto parts for more than 36 years. The firm's owners, Rick, Dale and Jason Nunn, will continue to run the business under Auto Plus ownership.

In North Carolina, Auto Plus acquired Leicester Auto Parts of Asheville, an Auto Plus-affliated parts store for more than 20 years.

Mr. Windom said acquiring Leicester Auto Parts will help IEH Auto Parts enter the target market of Asheville and enhance the overall Auto Plus and Pep Boys footprint.

“As a combined company, we are committed to a clearly defined strategic growth plan through acquisition and corporate store development,” he added.

In Virginia, the company opened an Auto Plus store in Christiansburg, a suburb of Roanoke, to help grow the firm's commercial and wholesales business in the region.

The location will allow IEH to serve independently owned stores and service centers throughout the region backed by an established Auto Plus hub in Roanoke.

IEH has made several other acquisitions thus far in 2016, including Industrial Engine & Supply Inc. in Pittsburgh and Greene's Auto Parts in Winder, Ga.

Icahn Enterprises L.P., majority owner of IEH Auto Parts, acquired Pep Boys earlier this year for $1.03 billion.