Quebec’s Uni-Select continues U.S. push, buys Virginia wholesaler
by Canadian Manufacturing Daily Staff
Deal for J.K. Distributors, Inc. marks third acquisition south of the border in 2014 for Uni-Select
BOUCHERVILLE, Que.—A Canadian auto parts and paint distributor is continuing its push into the United States market, announcing the purchase of a Virginia-based wholesaler.
Uni-Select Inc. said its American subsidiary has signed a deal to buy J.K. Distributors, Inc., an auto parts and accessories wholesale distributor.
“This strategic acquisition will bring significant value to our activities,” Brent Windom, Uni-Select’s president of U.S. operations, said in a statement.
“We will combine the acquired assets and expertise of J.K. Distributors to the activities of our newly inaugurated distribution centre in the Washington, D.C., area to offer our new customers access to highly efficient services and access to a wide array of products.”
The deal, expected to close later this month, comes after the Boucherville, Que., firm bought Florida-based Auto Paint and Supply of Lakeland, Inc. and a trio of firms in the U.S. Midwest.
“Our team was very successful in the past months in optimizing our operations,” Windom said. “Their commitment and efforts allowed Uni-Select to be positioned for solid and sustainable growth.
“Our industry continues to consolidate and we intend to capitalize on this trend while continuing to deliver solid results and preserving our healthy financial position.”
J.K. Distributors employs 150 people at nine corporate stores and a warehouse in Virginia.
