Gonher Group Acquires Mighty Auto Parts

Mighty Auto Parts’ franchise distribution and inventory management system has been acquired by the Gonher Group of Monterrey, Mexico. The two companies have been long-time business partners, with Gonher distributing OE-quality Mighty brake friction in Mexico, and Mighty sourcing OE-quality Gonher air filters for the U.S. market.

Gonher is a base manufacturer and prominent OE supplier of several lines of automotive products, including filters, batteries and lubricants. The company was founded by Don Jose Gonzalez in 1953, and today its 2,700 employees distribute products throughout Mexico and provide OE exports to 18 other countries.

“The timing was ideal because we were perfectly poised for long-term growth with a strategic international partner,” said Ken Voelker, president and CEO of Mighty, which was recently lauded by The Wall Street Journal as one of the top 25 franchises out of the nation’s more than 2,500 franchise brands. “This is clearly a strategic move for both parties. And given the complementary nature of the acquisition, there will be very few changes in the day-to-day business at Mighty.”

Voelker will remain as president and made the point that most of the members of the executive team will stay in place.

“It’s definitely business as usual,” he said. Mighty Distributing System of America, a franchisor of sales and service operations in the automotive aftermarket, is based in Norcross, Georgia and oversees 110 franchisees and company operations in 43 states.