53 Years Later This Business Still Calls St. Cloud Home

When you think about long-time St. Cloud businesses, there are several that come to mind. One of those businesses that calls St. Cloud home and established its headquarters here is Automotive Parts Headquarters Inc. Since 1972 APH has called St. Cloud home, so that means we are approaching 55 years in the Granite City.

APH was established in 1920 down in Minneapolis as the National Bushing & Parts Company, and was known as that for the company's first 45 years, when the company name was changed to Automotive Parts Headquarters.

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Now, 53 years later, the company boasts more than 1,800 employees and close to 300 independent and corporate Auto Value stores that feature just about anything and everything you could need throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, and Montana.

With more and more people finding it hard to afford a new vehicle and recent research showing the average American is holding on to their car for 12 years, businesses like APH are going to come in HUGE down the road, as you are going to want to keep your vehicle running.

S&P said it expects those aged six to 14 years or older to account for 70% of the vehicles in operation over the next five years. - Reuters

To quote a semi-famous movie that dealt with auto parts, Tommy Boy, "In auto parts, you're either growing or you're dying. There ain't no third direction"

You can learn more about the company, which is headquartered along Clearwater Road, by heading here. 

What other local long-term businesses do you think of when you think St. Cloud?