Euro Car Parts founder named executive chairman of GSF
British motor factor chain GSF Car Parts has appointed Euro Car Parts founder Sukhpal Ahluwalia as executive chairman and Steve Horne as its new chief executive.
GSF operates 180 branches across the UK and Ireland, and was recently sold by LKQ Corporation to private equity firm, Epiris. The Ahluwalia Family Office has also co-invested in GSF Car Parts alongside Epiris.
The co-investment marks Ahluwalia’s return to the car afterparts market. Having founded Euro Car Parts in 1978, Ahluwalia scaled ECP from a single car accessories store in London into the largest car parts distributor and retailer in the UK, with 260 branches there, as well as 27 in Ireland.
“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,” Ahluwalia said.
“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.”
New GSF Car Parts chief executive Steve 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 company also plans to add “a significant number” of new branches over the coming years, extend its range of products for electric vehicles, as well as investing in new technology to reduce the company’s own emissions and energy footprint.
