Straus-Frank, General Parts merge

Straus-Frank Company (Strafco) of San Antonio, Texas, and General Parts, Inc. of Raleigh, N.C., jointly announced an agreement to merge the two companies. Both General Parts, Inc. and Strafco, Inc. have been members of the CARQUEST Distribution Group for more than 30 years.

In announcing this merger, Strafco Chairman and CEO David Straus said, "Our company was established in San Antonio in 1870, 134 years ago. With this merger, it will live on as a part of General Parts, Inc. and will retain its identity as Straus-Frank Company in our marketing area of Texas and parts of neighboring states. We all look forward to being part of GPI and CARQUEST for many years ahead.”

“This certainly a giant step forward for GPI,” said O. Temple Sloan, Jr., chairman and CEO of GPI. ”Strafco and GPI shared the same marketing direction through CARQUEST. David Straus, his family, Jack Trawick, Roger Pritt and Bob Mangold have made important contributions in the development of CARQUEST. Their Company has a remarkable and proud history and everyone at GPI is thrilled with the opportunities that this merger presents.”

Strafco operates four CARQUEST Distribution Centers serving 317 CARQUEST auto parts stores. Prior to the merger, GPI operated  37 CARQUEST Distribution Centers serving over 3,000 CARQUEST stores in the US and Canada.

The merger is expected to be completed on May 1st.