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Official Site: AutoZone.com
Wikipedia: AutoZone Page Sections History Multimedia Photographs Article Index |
History
The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's AutoZone page on 6 May 2017, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
AutoZone is the second largest retailer of aftermarket automotive parts and accessories in the United States behind Advance Auto Parts. Founded in 1979, AutoZone has over 5,324 stores across the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The company is based in Memphis, Tennessee.
Originally a division of Memphis-based wholesale grocer Malone & Hyde, the company was known as Auto Shack. After the sale of the grocery operation to the Fleming Companies of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the name of the company was changed to AutoZone to reflect the new focus and to settle a lawsuit brought by Tandy Corporation for infringing on Tandy's "Radio Shack" trademark.
On July 4, 1979, the first store opened in Forrest City, Arkansas under the name of Auto Shack. Doc Crain was the store's first manager. Sales that first day totaled $300.00.
In 1981, Express Parts or VDP is implemented to get the customers hard to find parts by special ordering them through wholesalers. Total stores was 73 in 7 states.
In 1984, the company became the first auto parts retailer to create a quality control program for its parts. Total stores was 194 in 13 states.
In 1985, Doc Crain coined the term WITTDTJR, which stands for "What it takes to do the job right." Total store count is 263 in 14 states.
By 1986, expansion had made the company grow into a large store chain across the South and the Midwest. That year, Darren Reltherford, manager of Auto Shack's Memphis, Tennessee store, received the first Extra Miler award, which has since been given to AutoZoners who show their dedication to customer satisfaction by "going the extra mile" for customer service. The Duralast line of alternators and starters is released. The Loan-A-Tool program begins allowing customers the ability to borrow specific tools for jobs. The 4th Distribution Center in Greenville, South Carolina opens. Total of stores is 339 in 15 states.
In 1988, Auto Shack officially changed its name to AutoZone. The first AutoZone store was in Enid, Oklahoma. That year also, the company introduced WITT-JR, an electronic catalog used to look up parts and keep warranty information. Total of stores is now 459 in 16 states.
In 1989, the company began using a computerized store management system (SMS). The Duralast battery line is released consisting of Sub-Zero, Desert and long life. Total of stores is 513 in 17 states.
In 1991, its stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange using the ticker symbol "AZO." It opened up at $27.50 a share. It was then valued at $1 billion. The 5th DC opens in Lafayette, Louisiana. The company also became the first auto parts retailer to register customer warranties in a computer database.
In 1994, AutoZone began using satellites to facilitate communication between stores and the corporate office. Sales hit $1.5 billion.
In 1995, AutoZone opened its 1,000th store in Louisville, Kentucky. Also, the Duralast trademark made its debut with the Duralast and Duralast Gold batteries. Total of stores is now 1,143 in 26 states.
1996 was the year when the Internet era arrived at the company, when AutoZone opened its company Web site. The new commercial program debuted in Germantown, Tennessee. ALLDATA, a software company that provides automotive diagnostic and repair information was acquired.
Pitt Hyde retired as chairman and CEO in 1997. John Adams became the new chairman and CEO.
In 1998, AutoZone acquired 112 Auto Palace stores in six states in the northeastern United States, 43 TruckPro L.P. stores in 14 states, and 560 Chief Auto Parts Inc. stores in 5 states. At the commencement of fiscal 1999, AutoZone made another acquisition by purchasing 100 Express stores from The Pep Boys—Manny, Moe & Jack. The company began a process of internationalization with their first store abroad, which opened in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. AutoZone closed the 1990s by debuting at the Fortune 500 list in 1999.
Steve Odland became AutoZone's third CEO in 2001. AutoZone's Vision and Values are released. Vision: "Relentlessly creating the most exciting Zone for vehicle solutions!" AutoZone's value statements: Integrity, Respect, Teamwork, Communication, Innovation, Initiative, Accountability, Thriftiness, Leadership, Excellence. Also in 2001, AutoZone sold TruckPro to Paratus Capital Management.
In 2002, AutoZoners developed a network of "hub, feeder, and satellite" stores to have more product in the market area, while reducing inventory investment. Sales hit $5.33 billion.
In 2003, the Duralast tool line was introduced. This was a year of important negotiations for AutoZone, as the company partnered with other important auto parts industry companies, such as CarMax and Midas. AutoZone de Mexico opens the first DC in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Total stores number 3,219 in 48 states and 49 in Mexico.
In 2005, William C. Rhodes III was named President and CEO. Steve Odland left to become the Chairman and CEO of Office Depot.
In 2007 Bill Rhodes, then 42, was named Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AutoZone, Inc. on June 6.
In 2008, AutoZone opened their 4,000th store in Houston, Texas. Sales hit $6.2 billion.
On August 17, 2012, AutoZone expanded into their 49th state Alaska by opening their 5,000th store in Wasilla, Alaska
In 2012 AutoZone opened their first store in Brazil.
In December, 2012 AutoZone purchased AutoAnything.com, an ecommerce leader in aftermarket automotive parts.
On November 24, 2014, an AutoZone store in Dellwood, Missouri (misidentified in most media reports as being in Ferguson, Missouri) was burned during violent protests. The store was said to have been looted before being set on fire. Nobody was injured in the store. The company later removed all remains of the building and vacated the property.
| 9 February 2015 12-17559 Randy Cosby v. Autozone United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit AutoZone, Inc. appeals the district court's judgment in favor of Randy Cosby in Cosby's diversity action under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, arising after AutoZone terminated Cosby. Download 12-17559 Randy Cosby v. Autozone - 300MB - 28:39 |
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Subject: Vandalized AutoZone in Minneapolis
Photographer: Hungryogrephotos (Flickr) Date: 27 May 2020 License: Creative Commons 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication View photo of Vandalized AutoZone in Minneapolis - 17.9MB |
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Subject: Vandalized AutoZone in Minneapolis
Photographer: Hungryogrephotos (Flickr) Date: 27 May 2020 License: Creative Commons 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication View photo of Vandalized AutoZone in Minneapolis - 20.9MB |
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Subject: Vandalized AutoZone in Minneapolis
Photographer: Hungryogrephotos (Flickr) Date: 27 May 2020 License: Creative Commons 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication View photo of Vandalized AutoZone in Minneapolis - 21.8MB |
| Date | Article | Author/Source |
|---|---|---|
| 8 February 2013 | Arrests of Three Subjects Involved in the Armed Robbery of AutoZone Store | FBI San Juan Division |
| 2 October 2016 | NanoProMT Brings Military Tested Super Lubricant to AutoZone | NanoProMT |
| 1 March 2019 | Crew Who Allegedly Robbed Eight Inland Empire AutoZone Stores Indicted on Federal Conspiracy, Robbery and Firearms Charges | U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California |
| 22 July 2019 | Moreno Valley Man Who Led Crew that Robbed At Least 15 AutoZone Stores Pleads Guilty to Federal Conspiracy, Firearms Charges | U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California |
| 19 October 2020 | Inland Empire Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Leading Crew that Robbed at Least 15 AutoZone Stores at Gunpoint | U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California |