Auto Zone
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Auto Zone is an American auto-parts store. Its major competitors include Western Auto and Checkers Auto Parts.
History
The first Auto Zone store was opened at Forrest City, Arkansas, in 1979, under the name of Auto Shack. Doc Crain was named the store's first manager.
The Auto Shack company was basically a small operation company during its infancy. In 1984, Auto Shack became the first auto parts company in the United States to operate a "quality control program",
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 branch, received the first Extra Miler award, which has since been given to whom the company considers its best employee each year.
In 1987, Auto Shack officially changed its name to Auto Zone. This would mark the beginning of an era of large expansion for the company, as it would soon after open stores in other areas across the United States. That year also, the company introduced an electronic catalog.
In 1989, the company began using the SMS system, and in 1991, it began trading at the New York Stock Exchange.
In 1994, Auto Zone began using satellites.
In 1995, their 1,000th store was opened, this one in Louisville, Kentucky. Also, the Duralast trademark made its debut.
1996 was the year when the Internet era arrived at the company, when Auto Zome opened their first ever company website.
In 1998, the company began a process of internationalization with their first store abroad, which opened in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Auto Zone closed the 1990s by debuting at the Fortune 500 list in 1999.
Steve Odland became Auto Zone's third CEO in 2001. In March 2005, Odland left to become the Chairman and CEO of Office Depot. In 2003, the Duralast tool line was introduced.
2003 was also a year of important negotiations for Auto Zone, as the company partnered with other important auto part industry companies, such as CarMax and Midas.
In 2004, Auto Zone announced a corporate sponsorship agreement with auto racing association NASCAR.