Description
Motorcar Parts of America is a remanufacturer, manufacturer and distributor of automotive aftermarket parts -- including alternators, starters, wheel bearing and hub assemblies, brake master cylinders, brake power boosters and turbochargers utilized in imported and domestic passenger vehicles, light trucks and heavy-duty applications.
History
Motorcar Parts of America was founded by automotive entrepreneur Mel Marks in 1968 as a full-line European and Japanese replacement parts importer. Originally intended to serve a growing network of independently owned and operated auto parts retailers, the business rapidly expanded into mass-merchandising by providing ignition parts and wire sets to retail chain stores. Responding to an increasing demand for replacement starters and alternators, MPA acquired one of its exclusive suppliers in 1985 and began focusing on becoming the North American industry leader in remanufactured alternators and starters. After several decades on the East Coast, MPA relocated its headquarters from Plainview, New York to a newer, more modern manufacturing facility in Santa Fe Springs, California. It was at this time that MPA streamlined its catalog, concentrating on producing and distributing top-quality starters, alternators, ignition parts and ignition wire sets.
By 1993, thanks to a combination of aggressive marketing efforts and superior customer retention initiatives, MPA was able to triple its domestic production space — necessitating a move to a larger, more modern facility in Torrance, California. The following year MPA became a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ Index (ticker symbol: MPAA). Since then, MPA has successfully completed two stock offerings — one in 1995 and another in 1997.
