The Gonher Group has acquired Mighty Auto Parts' franchise distribution and inventory management system.
The two companies have been close, long-time business partners, with Gonher of Monterrey, Mexico, distributing OE quality Mighty brake friction in Mexico, and Mighty sourcing OE quality Gonher air filters for the U.S. market, according to Mighty.
Gonher is a base manufacturer and prominent OE supplier of several lines of automotive products, including filters, batteries and lubricants. The company was founded by Don Jose C. Gonzalez in 1953 and today its 2,700 employees distribute product throughout Mexico and provide OE exports to 18 other countries. Rodrigo Gonzalez Calderón is CEO; Don Jose C. Gonzalez, the founder, serves as chairman.
“The timing was ideal because we were perfectly poised for long-term growth with a strategic international partner," says Ken Voelker, Mighty president and CEO. “And we couldn’t have asked for a better match considering the Gonher Group’s value system, financial strength, and immense manufacturing capabilities to produce some of our most sought after OE quality products."
Voelker adds that this is a strategic move for both parties.
“Given the complementary nature of the acquisition, there will be very few changes in the day-to-day business at Mighty,” he states.
Voelker remains as president and makes the point that “most of the members of the executive team will stay in place…it’s definitely business as usual.”
Mighty Distributing System of America, a franchisor of sales and service operations in the automotive aftermarket, is based in Norcross, Ga., and oversees 110 franchisees and company operations in 43 states.
For more information, visit www.mightyautoparts.com.
