FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — Fisher Auto Parts has acquired Motown Automotive Distributing Co., a Farmington Hills-based firm with a dozen locations throughout southern Michigan.
A founding member of Federated Auto Parts Distributors, Staunton, Va.-based Fisher Auto Parts operates more than 500 auto parts distribution centers in 18 states and works with over 100 affiliated independent jobbers.
Motown Automotive's roots date to 1952, when Elwood Sechrist opened a tool and die shop under the name of Elray Machine Products. In 1971, the family business expanded into aftermarket auto parts under the name of Motown Automotive Distributing.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Motown already was a Federated Auto Parts affiliate before this deal.
The acquisition fills in an open spot in Fisher's distribution store footprint, which prior to this had little if any representation in the Detroit metro area, according to the store locator on Fisher's website.
Fisher Auto Parts CEO Bo Fisher lauded the Sechrist family and their team of employees for having built a "premier aftermarket distribution business" in Michigan and said the companies' "missions and values align completely so that we will continue to provide all customers with the best overall value in the aftermarket while doing so with integrity and commitment to all, including every associate and vendor partner."
Motown Automotive President Jim Sechrist said his company's long history and association with the Fisher organization and the Federated program "made it the right decision to merge with them. Through Fisher, Motown will be able to provide even more product and service resources to our customers and give opportunities for our associates to expand their careers in the Fisher Auto Parts network."
Fisher Auto Parts has quadrupled in size over the last decade through a combination of same store sales, new stores and acquisitions.