Euro Car Parts, the UK’s largest car and van parts distributor, has agreed to merge with Netherlands based Sator Holding to create one of Europe’s largest car parts distributors.
The merger has been financed by LKQ Corporation, the largest provider of aftermarket and recycled collision replacement parts and refurbished collision replacement products in the US and Canada.
LKQ has acquired Sator Beheer BV, also known as Sator Holding, from H2 Equity Partners, effective from 1 May 2013. The purchase price is approximately USD268.4m (GBP176m).
Sator Holding was established in 2005 by the merger of the previous Van Heck Group and the Kroymans Parts Group. Its main operational companies are:
Van Heck & Co (established 1926)
Harrems (established 1924)
Havam (established 1933)
Hartsant (acquired 2009)
Nipparts (established 1986)
Van Heck Interpieces (established 1993)
Quinton Hazell Netherlands
Sator has over 800 employees and distributes from 11 warehouse locations in Netherlands, Belgium and Northern France with combined floor space of 65,000 m2 and stock holding of over Euros 80 million at selling prices.
In October 2011, LKQ acquired UK-based Euro Car Parts from its founder and managing director, Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia, for GBP225m plus additional payment of GBP55m, subject to performance in 2012 and 2013. LKQ has invested substantially in Euro Car Parts’ UK operations, including the opening of 42 new branches and a 10,600 m2 central distribution facility for collision parts.
Ahluwalia says: “LKQ Corporation’s formula is to back existing management teams and to help them realise their market potential. I am therefore delighted that Sator’s chief executive officer and co-founder, Mr Adriaan Roggeveen, has agreed to join the LKQ Europe management team in his current position, on a permanent basis, and will report to me.
“This transaction will create one of Europe’s largest vehicle parts aftermarket distribution groups. Under my leadership, this new partnership between LKQ Corporation, Euro Car Parts and Sator will continue our fast expansion, in existing products and market sectors, but also in some new ones. Our goal is also to use this transaction as a springboard for further acquisitions in Europe.”
