Uni-Select Inc.: The Parts Alliance Continues to Expand its Network with Three Branch Openings

BOUCHERVILLE,  QC, April 24, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Uni-Select Inc. ("Uni-Select", TSX: UNS), announced today that The Parts Alliance (TPA), one of its subsidiaries, has recently opened three new branches in the United Kingdom (two in March and one in April). This follows the two branch openings in February and two in the fourth quarter of 2017, for a total of seven openings since the acquisition of TPA by Uni-Select in August 2017. In the past few months, it also integrated two stores in its network. Therefore, on a net basis, it added five new stores.

These branch openings fully align with TPA's commitment to extend its geographic coverage and build market density in core markets across the U.K.  It now operates 174 branches and remains committed to growing its network organically and through select acquisitions.

"The seven greenfield store openings since we are part of Uni-Select are a testament to the continued success of our strategy and provide us with increased coverage in our target market. These new locations will enable improved service for both independent garages and the group's growing national accounts portfolio. In fact, we recently renewed a large national account for several years," said Peter Sephton, President and Chief Executive Officer, European Automotive Group.

"Our goal is to help The Parts Alliance expand its customer service and coverage through a combination of select acquisitions and new branch openings. The Parts Alliance has a history of being able to successfully open branches and achieve profitability in a relatively short time period. We are very pleased with the pace of branch openings and expect to continue to expand our network in the coming year," added Henry Buckley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Uni-Select.

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 company-owned 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 200 automotive refinish company-owned stores under the FINISHMASTER banner which services a network of over 30,000 customers annually, of which it is the primary supplier to over 6,800 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 company-owned 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.