Uni-Select Inc.: The Parts Alliance announces two new branch openings

BOUCHERVILLE, QC, Feb. 15, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Uni-Select Inc. ("Uni-Select") (TSX: UNS), announced today that The Parts Alliance, one of its subsidiaries, has opened two new branches in the United Kingdom.

The Parts Alliance has opened two new branches in February. This follows two further branch additions towards the end of 2017 with Midsomer Norton and Southampton in Southern England.

Croydon opened in January under the GSF brand and extends our ability to serve customers in the South East and the greater London area. To extend the Parts Alliance reach in the North West of the UK, where there is a sizeable and sweet spot car parc, the PA opened Newcastle under their SAS brand.

These new store openings represent ongoing investment from The Parts Alliance and an ongoing commitment to endorse and develop their trusted local motor factor brands giving local service combined with national strength. These new locations will enable improved service for both independent garages and the group's growing national accounts portfolio.

"We're delighted to continue our branch expansion to establish a true national footprint with a combination of company owned stores and a commitment to members and service partners," said Peter Sephton, Parts Alliance CEO. "We welcome all our new team members to our culture of systemised entrepreneurship and look forward to giving our customers increased choice and better service driven by our people culture and technology platform".

"The opening of two new locations is an opportunity to expand the group's presence nationally and aligns with our strategic plan to grow in key markets," added Henry Buckley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Uni-Select. "This continues our commitment to have the best customer coverage in the United Kingdom through both owned stores and members".

The national car parts distributor says new branch openings, coupled with select acquisitions and new Parts Alliance members, are key opportunities for us to expand our UK coverage.

ABOUT UNI-SELECT

Uni-Select is a leader in the distribution of automotive refinish and industrial paint and related products in North America, as well as a leader in the automotive aftermarket parts business in Canada and in the UK. Uni Select is headquartered in Boucherville, Québec, Canada, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol UNS.

In Canada, Uni-Select supports over 16,000 automotive repair and collision repair shops through a growing national network of more than 1,100 independent customers and over 60 corporate stores, many of which operate under the Uni-Select BUMPER TO BUMPER®, AUTO PARTS PLUS® AND FINISHMASTER® store banner programs. It also supports over 3,900 shops and stores through its automotive repair/installer shop banners, as well as through its automotive refinish banners.

In the United States, Uni-Select, through its wholly-owned subsidiary FinishMaster, Inc., operates a national network of over 210 automotive refinish corporate stores under the FINISHMASTER banner which services a network of over 30,000 customers annually, of which it is the primary supplier to over 6,000 collision repair centre customers.

In the UK and Ireland, Uni-Select, through its Parts Alliance group of subsidiaries, is a leading distributor of automotive parts supporting over 23,000 customer accounts with a network of close to 200 locations including over 170 corporate stores.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

The information provided in this press release may include some forward-looking information, which could include certain risks and uncertainties, which may cause the final results to be significantly different from those listed or implied within this news release. For additional information with respect to risks and uncertainties, refer to the Annual Report filed by Uni-Select with the Canadian securities commissions. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this press release, and Uni‑Select does not undertake to publicly update such forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Uni-Select Inc.