Schuman Carriage, Genuine Parts report deal

By Deborah Adamson
Advertiser Staff Writer

•	Napa deal Seller: Schuman Carriage Motors Buyer: Genuine Parts Co. of Atlanta Price: Undisclosed Includes: Schuman's Napa Hawaiian Warehouse in Waipahu; four Napa Auto Parts stores in Mapunapuna, Kalihi, Waipahu and Campbell Industrial Park

Genuine Parts Co. of Atlanta will pay an undisclosed amount of cash for Schuman's Napa Hawaiian Warehouse in Waipahu and four of eight Napa Auto Parts stores operated by subsidiary Schuman Automotive. The stores are in Mapunapuna, Kalihi, Waipahu and Campbell Industrial Park. Annual sales top $35 million, the company said.

In a separate deal, the Kane'ohe Bay store will be sold to Schuman Automotive's operations manager, leaving the company with three Napa locations.

The Mainland deal is expected to close on or around Oct. 31.

"It's a very positive move," said Glenn Crowder, treasurer for Napa Hawaiian Warehouse. "It will give us a good foundation, leadership, and we will have the resources of a Fortune 500 company behind us."

Local operations will be managed by kama'aina, Crowder said.

Genuine Parts is expected to retain affected Schuman employees. Napa Hawaiian has 124 workers, of which 114 are expected to be hired by the buyer. The remaining 10 would be transferred to Schuman Automotive. About 27 of 59 store workers are expected to transfer to Genuine Parts. The rest will work at the remaining stores, including the Kane'ohe Bay location.

Napa Hawaiian Warehouse distributes parts to 36 Napa stores in Hawai'i and Samoa, most of which are independently owned.

With the purchase of Napa Hawaiian, Genuine Parts would own 58 out of 64 Napa distribution centers in the country. Genuine Parts also owns 900 Napa retail stores out of 3,800 nationwide, Crowder said.

After the sale, Schuman Carriage's remaining business will consist of auto dealerships and the three Napa Auto Parts stores.

Founded in 1893 by Gustave Schuman, the Honolulu-based company has a storied history. Over the decades, it has sold vehicles from horse-drawn carriages to SUVs. It is a dealer for Cadillac, Buick, Subaru, GMC and Oldsmobile.

Reach Deborah Adamson at dadamson@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8088.