Jerry's Auto to partner with NAPA

Jerry's Auto Supply 'linking up' with NAPA

Story & Photos by Gary Bégin
In a blockbuster business decision, Jerry's Auto Supply has bought a NAPA outlet in Brewster and absorbed the inventories of the Wenatchee, Leavenworth and Okanogan NAPA stores, effective August 1.
Together with NAPA, owned by Genuine Parts Company, Jerry's will become the dominant player in the North Central Washington auto parts supply industry, easily eclipsing other local and national brands.
The NAPA store located at 422 S. Wenatchee Avenue will be closing at the end of July and no employees are scheduled to lose their jobs, according to NAPA sources.
According to a news release issued June 24, the 56-year-old Jerry’s Auto Supply announced it is teaming up with the NAPA Auto Parts organization, a move it says will propel the family-owned company into the future.
In all, Jerry’s will operate eight NAPA-affiliated stores in seven markets as well as an Integrated Business Solution (IBS) fleet supply at the Chelan County PUD. The company will have about 90 employees and will be marketed as Jerry’s Auto Supply “powered by” NAPA. Jerry’s will remain family owned and operated.
“Our ownership is not changing. Our people are not changing,” said Ron Berschauer, CEO of Jerry's. He continued, “We are very pleased to be partnering with a company committed to the same things we’ve always worked hard to provide: quality parts, rapid availability, and the best people in the industry. It’s a natural fit.”
NAPA has more than 6,000 auto parts stores across the country, approximately 20 percent corporate owned.  
NAPA Auto Parts General Manager Brian Keene commented, “We are very excited about our new partnership with Jerry’s Auto Supply. Both NAPA Auto Parts and Jerry’s have been in the market for over 50 years.  With the strength of Jerry’s Auto Supply, their team of people, Jerry’s community involvement and the breadth of the NAPA program we look forward to serving these communities for the next 50 years to come.” Jerry’s said it will have access to products and services from over 1,600 manufacturers from multiple distribution centers, including additional product categories such as tools and equipment, heavy duty truck parts, and farm and marine supplies.
Jerry’s CFO Krista Beck states, “We’ve always sought to partner with suppliers that enable us to do our best for our customers with regards to price, product availability and additional resources. I’m confident this move will help us serve our customers better, including providing a retail e-commerce presence and the ability for our customers to buy online and pick up in our stores. NAPA is committed to independent auto parts stores like us and is investing in the future.”
Berschauer said the key to this transaction is the people. “Our people have always been the strength of our organization and I look forward to integrating the professional staff from the consolidating NAPA locations into our team.  Customers will have access to the best sales people in the industry, with the ‘Know How’ needed to get the right part the first time.  Our slogan ‘Our parts bring you in and our people bring you back’ is truer than ever.”