Auto Tire and Parts NAPA

Owners: John Tlapek, Bob Tlapek, Mike Himmelberg, Greg Stroup

Number of employees: 300-plus

Website address: www.autotireandpartsnapa.com

What products or services do you offer? Auto, truck and farm parts as well as heavy duty truck parts, paint and body shop supplies; tools and equipment; and machine shop services

Phone number: 573-334-9131 (main location)

What makes your business unique?

Greg Stroup, president: We are a family business that has been serving the Heartland for 104 years. We are focused on long-term employees serving longterm customers. We are proud of our reputation for the most experienced and knowledgeable employees and for old-fashioned personal service in each of our hometown stores.

What future plans do you have for your business?

GS: We will continue to add new locations such as our very recent addition of stores in Campbell, MO, and Piggott, AR. We will also continue to provide new added value services such as expanded business building tools for our key customers and new products such as ATV parts, which we now stock.

What awards or special recognition did you receive in 2012?

GS: Auto Tire & Parts is recognized by our suppliers for excellence in customer service and for outstanding performance in the marketplace. For example, we were recognized as a Dupont Champions jobber for our paint and body shop business. Similarly, we are one of the top NAPA groups in the nation.

What charitable organizations do you support?

GS: We support many local charities in each of the communities we serve. We are also proud to support several regional charities such as St.Jude's Children's Hospital.

What do you like about doing business in a small town?

GS: Because we have longterm employees from the hometowns they serve, they know their customers very well -- they grew up together, they go to church together, their kids play ball together. This allows us to provide real personal service tailored to each customer's specific needs. We value these relationships.