“The Group” Leverages Global Resources to Address New Training and Information Needs

The Automotive Parts Services Group (The Group) has been conducting focus groups nationwide to identify and explore its customers’ future training and information needs and is working with global partners to provide best-in-class programs and resources.

With support from European partner ADI and its training provider Group Eina, The Group engaged various customer groups, including shop owners and service technicians, in markets around the country. The meetings included top management from Federated Auto Parts and National Pronto Association, representatives from ADI and Group Eina, distributor members and the management team from The Group.

“While we work closely with customers every single day, the focus group settings gave us the opportunity to have in-depth conversations with customers, learn about the challenges they face, and identify what we at The Group can do to assist them,” said Bill Maggs, CEO of National Pronto Association and co-CEO of 1Parts, the joint venture with ADI. “Our partners in Europe are delivering state-of-the-art support to their customers and together we are determining how we can adapt many aspects of their efforts to better serve customers here in North America.”

“Being able to meet and spend time with many of our most important constituents, customers and members, along with management from both Pronto and Federated and our European partners, allowed for some insightful exchanges,” said Rusty Bishop, CEO of Federated Auto Parts. “The focus groups gave us a better understanding of customer needs now and in the future, and will help us leverage global resources to successfully meet those needs going forward.”

The Automotive Parts Services Group, also known as The Group, was created by the merger of efforts and resources of the Federated and Pronto program groups on behalf of their respective members, creating one of the largest automotive parts supply networks in North America.

Federated Auto Parts, headquartered in Staunton, Virginia, is one of the largest auto parts distribution and marketing organizations in North America

National Pronto Association is a North American organization headquartered in Grapevine, Texas and consisting of 92 shareholder owners. Pronto was formed in 1979 and is a leading automotive program distribution group with a focus on marketing, technology and buying. The group is a founding member of 1Parts Global Aftermarket Services, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. Pronto members distribute name brand, OE and Pronto exclusive brand products. Pronto members are located in Canada, United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico.