Uni-Select USA Strikes Deal with Midwest Parts Plus Stores

Uni-Select USA, Inc. and GMG Partners Inc., which operates stores in the Chicago area, are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement to join forces.
Terms of the agreement call for the North Central Division of Uni-Select USA to provide distribution and marketing services to the Chicago area stores owned and operated by GMG Partners.
"We are enthusiastic about this Business Model that will enable us to attract large customers who want to focus on running efficient store operations and rely on the Uni-Select Network to provide the distribution expertise and support" stated Mr. Florent Jacques, executive vice president of Uni-Select USA. In addition, distribution and marketing services of Uni-Select will be offered to the independent customers formerly served by GMG Partners, through its warehouse division, Tri-State/Apex.
GMG Partners plans to focus its assets and marketing resources on operating its corporate store group as well as growing its existing national account base in the Chicago land and surrounding markets. The agreement also calls for Uni-Select USA to assist GMG Partners in repositioning inventory assets previously deployed in its warehouse division operating as Tri-State/Apex.
A critical element of the agreement provides for continued operation of GMG Partners locations as Parts Plus affiliated stores, under the Parts Plus membership of Uni-Select USA. Uni-Select USA joined Parts Plus in early 2001.
"By creating this new relationship within the Parts Plus supply chain we will be able to offer our customers access to one of the largest inventories in the Midwest and next day delivery on hard to find parts, import parts, PBE, tools and equipment. We know this decision will make us a better supplier to our customers and will enhance the Parts Plus Car Care Center Program in the Chicago market" stated Mr. Larry Griffin, president of GMG Partners.
Uni-Select U.S.A. is a subsidiary of Uni-Select Inc. Uni-Select USA operates two distribution centers in the U.S., with locations in Mason City, Iowa, and Memphis, Tennessee.