Advance Auto Parts completes Discount Acquisition, Becomes Second Largest Chain in U.S.

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. has announced that it has completed its acquisition of Florida-based Discount Auto Parts, Inc.
The company says that this further strengthens Advance’s position as the second largest retailer of auto parts and accessories in the U.S.. With the completion of the transaction, Advance Auto Parts has become a publicly traded company and its common stock will begin trading November 29 on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AAP”.
Advance Auto Parts will now operate more than 2,400 stores in 38 states, primarily located in the eastern, mid-western and southeastern regions of the United States and in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The combined companies generated more than $3.1 billion U.S. in revenues and approximately $254 million U.S. in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) on a pro forma trailing twelve-month basis ended September 8, 2001 for Advance and August 26, 2001 for Discount.
Larry Castellani, CEO of Advance Auto Parts, stated, “The addition of Discount Auto Parts is an important strategic step that creates significant growth opportunities for us in both the “do-it-yourself” (DIY) and “do-it-for-me” (DIFM) segments.
"With this transaction, we have gained increased critical mass and scale, especially in Florida where we grew from 26 stores to 462 stores. Our stores hold the number one or number two market position in a majority of markets in which we operate. We will immediately begin to implement an integration plan that is anticipated to add $30 million of synergies to EBITDA in the first full year.”
Advance Auto Parts today provided additional details on its integration plan. The Company said the approximately $30 million in synergies would come primarily from purchasing and corporate administrative savings.
The Discount Auto Parts stores outside Florida are to be converted to the Advance Auto Parts banner within the next year.
For the Discount stores in Florida, the initial focus will be on aligning their products with Advance’s inventory assortment and converting information systems. The physical store conversion of Florida stores will occur over the next four years.
Castellani continued, “Our integration plan is focused on both the top and bottom lines. We see opportunities to enhance the performance of the existing Discount stores in terms of sales per store, comp-store sales and commercial sales. Our new team members will be supported with extensive training and in-store information systems to allow them to deliver enhanced customer service and increase the customer count. We will also focus on reducing costs and increasing the optimization of our distribution system. We have in place an integration team with significant experience, including managing the successful store conversions following the Western Auto acquisition in 1998 and the Carport Auto Parts transaction in 2001.”
Advance Auto Parts also reaffirmed its financial outlook for fiscal 2002. The Company said that, based on currently available information, it expects to generate sales in the range of $3.1 billion to $3.3 billion, EBITDA of $310 million to $325 million, and diluted earnings per share of $1.70 to $1.95. This includes $30 million of synergies but excludes certain one-time cash conversion expenses of approximately $50 million to $60 million of which approximately $40 million will be incurred in 2002.
Castellani concluded, “As we look ahead, we will continue to focus on executing the operating strategy that has enabled Advance to become an industry leader. That formula is superior customer service, competitive prices, a broad product selection, a state-of-the-art distribution system, long-term relationships with quality suppliers, targeted marketing and advertising and innovative merchandising.”