APH Acquires OK Automotive and Automotive Equipment Experts

APH recently completed the acquisition of OK Automotive and Automotive Equipment Experts (AEE) in North Dakota. However, OK Tire & Service’s 11 locations were not part of the deal.

As part of the acquisition, OK Automotive’s locations in Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot will merge with APH’s existing Auto Value parts stores. Additionally, AEE’s Minot store will collaborate with BENCO Equipment in Bismarck, while the Grand Forks location will be rebranded as BENCO Equipment, serving as their seventh Midwest location.

OK Tire & Service, which is an employee-owned company, sold OK Automotive and AEE to APH. The company was founded in 1960 and was owned and operated by the Ohnstad family for over 50 years. In 1987, the Ohnstads acquired the Minot ACDelco store, followed by the opening of Grand Forks in 2003 and Bismarck in 2010. In 2014, they transitioned to become an ESOP company.

Corey Bartlett, CEO of APH and a third-generation family member, expressed excitement about the acquisition, stating, “The OK and AEE teams are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service, and we are delighted to welcome such experienced and highly respected parts and equipment professionals to our team. On behalf of everyone at APH, I extend a warm welcome to the OK Automotive and AEE teams as they join the APH family.”