Advance Auto Parts 2005 Annual Report Download - page 13

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. I Annual Report 2005 I 11
implementation of our Factory Direct Ordering, Local
Purchase Ordering and Salvage Body Parts systems. These
systems make more than 1 million additional parts available
to Customers via outside vendors. Customers simply order
the part they need at our store or over the phone and pick it
up when the part arrives, or they can choose to have it deliv-
ered straight to their door. These systems also increase parts
availability for our Commercial Customers.
When our Commercial Customers need parts promptly, they
simply call their dedicated Parts Pro at the local Advance Auto
Parts store. Their order is then processed and delivered by one
of our fast and friendly Commercial Delivery Drivers. Feedback
from our Commercial Customers shows they appreciate the
fast delivery service Advance provides, because it allows them
to remain focused on their garage business without worrying
about when parts will arrive. When they order from us, they
know they will have the parts quickly.
Sometimes having the part you need is not enough—you
also need to know how to install it. Advance has the answers
and “Know-How” for our Customers’ vehicle repair and
maintenance questions.
Advance Auto Parts prides itself
on having the friendliest and
most knowledgeable store
teams in our business. Many
of the Customer letters
and compliments we receive
mention specific Team Members
who go the extra mile to help
our Customers solve their
vehicle problems. In order to
provide this excellent level of
service, our store Team Members participate in extensive
training and development programs.
We are committed to increasing our number of ASE-certified
Team Members, who provide our Customers much-needed
expertise on automobile parts and repairs. The knowledge
that these certified parts specialists provide means assurance
and peace of mind for our Customers that they are receiving
the right advice.
As Advance continues to grow its operations, we also are
focused on building diversity within our team in order to
better serve an increasingly diverse Customer base. As part of
our effort to reach our goal of increasing the number of
bilingual Team Members, we actively recruit individuals with
multi-language skills.
To complement the strong knowledge base of our store
teams, we launched our Consumer Education program in
2004 to supply our Customers with easily accessible
information on a variety of topics. For instance, the 128
free brochures available in our stores offer Customers
step-by-step instructions on multiple topics, including
“Advance Auto Parts
provides us with the tools
and training we need to build
and strengthen our skills, which
allows us to continue providing our
Customers with Legendary Service.”
Edgar Freeman, Store Manager
Diane Vera, 2nd Assistant
Forest J. Webster,
Commercial Delivery Driver
01 02 03 04 05
2,484 2,435
2,539
2,652
2,872
Store Growth
—Continued on next page
1.4
million
SKUs available
in 2005: