O'Reilly
Automotive, Inc. officially started in the auto parts business in
Springfield, Missouri, in November of 1957. However, its historical
background in the automotive business, as well as the family's
quest for opportunity and advancement, may be traced back to a much
earlier time.Michael Byrne O'Reilly
immigrated to America in 1849, escaping from the hard times of the
potato famine, which struck Ireland in 1845-46. Settling in St.
Louis, he worked his way through school to earn a law degree, and
then pursued a career as a title examiner. His son, Charles Francis
O'Reilly, attended college in St. Louis and went to work in 1914 as
a traveling salesman for Fred Campbell Auto Supply in St. Louis. By
1924, Charles had become familiar with the Springfield area, having
traveled by train to sell auto parts throughout the territory. He
recognized the region as an area of growth and opportunity and
asked to be transferred there. By 1932, he had become manager of
Link Motor Supply in Springfield. One of his sons, Charles H.
(Chub) O'Reilly, had also joined the company. Together they
provided the leadership and management that made Link the
predominant auto parts store in the area.In
1957, Link planned a reorganization, which would have included the
retirement of 72-year-old Charles F. O'Reilly, and the transfer of
C. H. O'Reilly to Kansas City. Since neither agreed with these
plans, they made the decision to form their own company, O'Reilly
Automotive, Inc. They started in November of 1957 with one store
and 13 employees at 403 Sherman in Springfield. Their sales totaled
$700,000 in 1958, their first full year of business. Due to the
hard work and ability of the original employees, several of whom
were stockholders in the company, the business grew and prospered
from its very first year.By 1961, the
company's volume had reached $1.3 million – the combined
volume of O'Reilly Automotive Distributors, a division formed to
serve independent automotive jobbers in the area. In March of 1975,
annual sales volume rose to $7 million, and a 52,000-square-foot
facility at 233 S. Patterson was built for the O'Reilly/Ozark
warehouse operation. By that time, the company had nine stores, all
located in southwest Missouri.
The long
range plans and stability of the company were solidified by a
public offering of company stock in April 1993. And from 1997 to
2005 the company grew through numerous mergers and
acquisitions.
On July 11, 2008, O’Reilly purchased CSK Auto corporation,
based out of Phoenix AZ, adding 1,342 stores under the brand names
of Checker Auto Parts, Schuck’s Auto Supply, Kragen Auto
Parts and Murray’s Discount Auto Supply. The joining of these
two companies took O’Reilly into several new states,
including Alaska and Hawaii, and brought the total number of states
with O’Reilly/CSK locations to 38, with a total of 3,421
stores, thus making it the third largest auto parts distributor in
the United States.
As existing CSK distribution centers are updated, new distribution
centers are opened, product offerings are strengthened and
infrastructure is expanded, we are converting blocks of stores to
the O’Reilly Auto Parts banner.
O’Reilly added its 21st distribution center in Moreno Valley,
CA in January 2010; its 22nd in Denver, CO in March 2010; its 23rd
in Salt Lake City, UT in May 2010; and its 24th in Stockton, CA in
September 2010.
Total sales for core O’Reilly stores were $4.85 billion for
the year ending December 31, 2009. Today the company has 3,535
stores in 38 states.
Executive officers of the company include David O’Reilly,
Chairman of the Board; Greg Henslee, Chief Executive Officer and
Co-President; Ted Wise, Chief Operating Officer and Co-President;
Tom McFall, Chief Financial Officer.
The company continues to plan for growth and expansion, projecting
the addition of 150 new locations in 2010.
Throughout this time the underlying spirit and philosophy of
O'Reilly Automotive, Inc., has been one of growth and progress,
both for the company and its team members. This remains the policy
to which the company is dedicated today.
Congrats to CSQURU on the FTF!!