Type: Public
On the web: http://corp.advanceautoparts.com
Employees: 51,000
Employee growth: 4.1%

Advance Auto Parts (AAP) has turned auto parts retailing into less of a one-company race. Comfortably in 2nd place (AutoZone is #1), AAP operates more than 3,300 stores under the Advance Auto Parts, Advance Discount Auto Parts, and Western Auto banners in about 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, as well as an e-commerce site. Its stores carry brand-name replacement parts, batteries, maintenance items, and automotive chemicals. AAP's Autopart International (AI) unit operates more than 190 locations and primarily serves commercial customers, including garages, service stations, and auto dealers. Commercial customers account for about 30% of AAP's revenues while do-it-yourselfers generate the balance.

Key numbers for fiscal year ending December, 2010:
Sales: $5,925.2M
One year growth: 9.5%
Net income: $346.1M
Income growth: 28.0%

Officers:
CEO and Director: Darren R. Jackson
President: Jim L. Wade
COO: Kevin P. Freeland

Competitors:
AutoZone
O'Reilly Automotive
Pep Boys

© 2012 Hoover's, Inc. All rights reserved.