Ahluwalia returns to aftersales market at helm of GSF Car Parts

GSF Car Parts is charting a fast-growth future with the appointment of Euro Car Parts founder Sukhpal Ahluwalia as executive chairman and Steve Horne as chief executive officer.

The parts supplier operates 180 branches across the UK and Ireland, supplying thousands of independent garages, national chains and retail customers with parts, specialist training, tools and equipment.

The Ahluwalia family has also co-invested in GSF Car Parts alongside private equity firm Epiris which has acquired the business from LKQ Corporation.

The co-investment marks Ahluwalia’s return to the car afterparts market. Having founded Euro Car Parts in 1978, Sukhpal scaled ECP from a single car accessories store in London into the largest car parts distributor and retailer in the UK, with 260 branches nationwide and annual sales of over £1.2 billion.

Ahluwalia said: “This is a hugely exciting time for GSF Car Parts, and I look forward to working with all of our valued team members, customers, and global suppliers as we start on this new journey together. I have a huge respect for the GSF team, including the business' hard-working branch team members and head office colleagues. Relationships have always been at the centre of GSF's success, and that's something that we're going to double down on.”

Horne added: “We will turn the business into a fast-growth, sales-focused company with our customers, suppliers, and team members at its heart. This growth plan will deliver opportunities across the industry: new sales channels for our valued global suppliers, added convenience for our important customers, and new roles for our knowledgeable team members.”

The appointments reunite Ahluwalia and Horne, who previously worked together at Euro Car Parts. The team plans to add a significant number of new branches to the business over the coming years, improve the branch experience, strengthen its e-commerce offering, invest in its catalogue and IT, and rejuvenate its delivery fleet. The business will also stake out its leadership on sustainability by extending its range of products for electric vehicles.