Auto Tire & Parts NAPA

With each passing year, Auto Tire & Parts branches out to serve more customers across the Heartland with its familiar combination of experienced parts professionals and hometown service.

In 2010, it added High Ridge and Qulin, Mo., locations to the company. Much of this success is because of a long-term, highly trained and knowledgeable staff that is dedicated to the company. Last year, three long-term employees received their 40-year plaques: Bud Barks, Richard Eeftink and Gary McKown.

Now with 43 locations in Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky, Auto Tire and Parts has developed a reputation for searching out innovations that will help its customers run their businesses more successfully.

Auto Tire and Parts continues to offer unique and specialized technical services such as the most complete machine shop in the region at its Cape Girardeau headquarters with a large team of machinists and over $1 million in equipment. From the Cape Girardeau location, deliveries are made to locations within a 150-mile radius twice daily, giving their customers convenient access to services ranging from crankshaft grinding to driveline repair.

In 2008, Auto Tire and Parts launched its new heavy-duty truck division for the medium and heavy-duty truck market, and the construction equipment and dump truck market. This division continues to grow and generate customer loyalty as the company provides superior service.

Auto Tire and Parts believes customer loyalty has been critical to its longevity, with a "customer first" philosophy that permeates the business, according to store management.

"This success can be attributed to personal relationships with our customers. We continue to set the bar for customer service," says Greg Stroup, president. "In an industry where most of our competitors are national chain stores we offer hometown service from the most experienced people at no extra charge."

Owner John Tlapek echoes that sentiment. "The reason for our success is that we have knowledgeable parts professionals, a large inventory of quality name-brand parts, and a commitment to individual customer service. We recognize each customer has different needs and we do everything possible to meet and exceed those expectations."

"Many Auto Tire & Parts employees grew up in the communities in which they work," Tlapek says. "They have played ball, gone to school, and worked with their customers," he says, "and these strong community ties uniquely qualify them to understand and relate to customers."

Stroup said the business is honored to have customers that extend five generations.

Plans for 2011 include strengthening those ties to each community and each customer by continuing the tradition of superior customer service, superior products and commitment to excellence.