www.aftermarketonline.net FEBRUARY 2025 On the Road 54 Milestone en route to a billion-pound ambition Editor John Shepherd tours GSF Car Parts’ major new distribution centre as CEO Steve Horne says the firm’s expansion to date is just the start of its commercial journey The unveiling of GSF’s new National Distribution Centre (NDC) in the West Midlands marked a significant milestone for the company as well as a trip down memory lane for me. The NDC is at the centre of what was my ‘patch’ as a trainee reporter with a local newspaper, more than 40 years ago, when I covered most of the sleepy hamlets and towns to the south of Stafford and north of Wolverhampton. Now I was back to cover a local story with national impact and one that represents a major step forward for GSF and the region – not least in that the NDC has created more than 400 jobs in the region. GSF was sold to UK-based private equity firm Epiris in 2023, with Euro Car Parts founder Sukhpal Ahluwalia coinvesting. The company took over the site that was destined to become the NDC in May 2024, saying it would serve as the central logistics hub, modernising the firm’s supply chain infrastructure and streamlining delivery processes into its national branch network. During the course of 2024, the company opened more than a dozen branches and the pace will continue throughout this year as GSF aims to open a further 40 branches. The 500,000 ft2 NDC near Wolverhampton, which can be expanded up to 750,000 ft2 with mezzanine, includes office space, advanced logistics capabilities with 58 docks, eight-level access loading doors, and parking for nearly 700 vehicles. The opening marked the culmination of a year when the company had its foot firmly on the business accelerator. And after taking the behind-thescenes tour of the labyrinth-like site, there was a chance to sit down with CEO Steve Horne and members of his senior team. Listening to Horne talk about GSF’s We’re a long-term player aiming to be a £1 billion company
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