Uni-Select, the parent company of GSF Car Parts and The Parts Alliance, has been bought by LKQ Corporation, the owner of Euro Car Parts.

Uni-Select and GSF will continue to operate as independent companies until the completion of the acquisition.

In 2011 LKQ paid £280m for Euro Car Parts, which now has more than 200 trade parts outlets.

It will now undertake a process to divest itself of GSF Car Parts due to anticipated regulatory measures; therefore, the operations of GSF will remain separate from those of LKQ and GSF will be supported by Uni-Select until the divestment is complete.

Sukhbir Kapoor, president and chief operating officer at GSF Car Parts, said: “We are a strong and healthy business, optimistic about the eventual outcome of the divestment process, given the strength of GSF and the talent of our 2,500 people across the UK.

“There is no material change to the day-to-day business of GSF Car Parts because of Uni-Select’s announcement, so our network of 180 branches and our growing online retail service remains open for business as usual.

“Everyone at GSF Car Parts remains committed to driving value and delivering the excellent service to our customers on which the business has built its strong reputation.”

GSF Car Parts said it has strengthened its employee benefits with the introduction of new people-focused perks this year.

Brian McManus, executive chair, and chief executive officer at Uni-Select, said: “We are extremely grateful for the efforts of the GSF team for the integral part they have played in the success of Uni-Select and its substantial growth since 2017.

“The passion, commitment and quality of our GSF colleagues has shone through time and again, and we will support the team during the divestment process to ensure they continue their excellent progress.”

Last year (July 2022), GSF Car Parts opened a branch in St Helens, Merseyside, marking the motor factor’s ninth new site.