Advance Auto Parts Bundle

Who owns Advance Auto Parts?
Understanding a company's ownership is key to grasping its direction and market influence. Shifts in ownership, like leadership changes or divestitures, reveal the dynamic nature of corporate control and its impact.

Advance Auto Parts, a major automotive aftermarket retailer, was founded in 1932. Today, it's a publicly traded entity, meaning its ownership is distributed among many shareholders.
Who owns Advance Auto Parts Company?
As a publicly traded company, Advance Auto Parts is owned by its shareholders. The largest shareholders are typically institutional investors such as mutual funds, pension funds, and hedge funds. These institutions buy large blocks of stock on behalf of their clients. Individual investors also own shares, though typically in smaller quantities. The specific breakdown of ownership can fluctuate as shares are bought and sold on the stock market. For instance, understanding the company's strategic positioning might involve looking at its Advance Auto Parts BCG Matrix, which can be influenced by shareholder priorities.
Who Founded Advance Auto Parts?
The story of Advance Auto Parts begins with Arthur Taubman, who founded the company in 1932. Taubman acquired a small chain of three stores named Advance Stores in Virginia. His determination and early retail experience, gained from working at age 13, were instrumental in the company's inception.
Arthur Taubman's initial venture, Advance Stores, offered a diverse range of products. Beyond automotive parts, the stores also sold home goods like kitchen appliances and roofing materials.
The financial commitment to start Advance Stores was significant for its time. Arthur Taubman's wife, Grace, famously pawned her wedding ring and his Masonic ring to help secure the down payment for the initial three stores.
Arthur Taubman, the son of Austro-Hungarian immigrants, grew up in Manhattan. His early exposure to retail at a young age provided him with the foundational knowledge for his entrepreneurial pursuits.
Despite a prior business venture with his brother in Pittsburgh that failed during the Great Depression, Taubman's acquisition of Advance Stores marked a new beginning. The company's focus evolved over time, eventually specializing in automotive parts.
Under Arthur Taubman's leadership, Advance Stores experienced growth. By the early 1940s, the company had expanded its footprint to 21 locations.
Arthur Taubman retired in 1969, passing the leadership of the company to his son, Nicholas Taubman. This marked a generational shift in the company's direction and management.
While precise details regarding initial equity splits or the exact percentage of ownership held by early investors are not publicly detailed, Arthur Taubman was the singular acquirer of the initial three stores and the primary architect of the company's early strategy. His vision, coupled with his resilience after a previous business setback, laid the groundwork for the company's future success. This foundational period is a key part of the Brief History of Advance Auto Parts.
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How Has Advance Auto Parts’s Ownership Changed Over Time?
Advance Auto Parts has a rich history of ownership changes, evolving from a private entity to a publicly traded corporation. Key milestones include its acquisition by Freeman Spogli & Co. in 1998 and its subsequent Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2001, which transitioned its ownership to public shareholders.
Event | Year | Impact |
---|---|---|
Founding as Advance Stores | 1932 | Initial private ownership |
Acquisition by Freeman Spogli & Co. | 1998 | Transition to private equity ownership |
Public Offering (NYSE: AAP) | 2001 | Shift to public ownership, increased transparency |
Fortune 500 Inclusion | 2003 | Indication of significant growth and market presence |
As of July 25, 2025, Advance Auto Parts (NYSE: AAP) is held by 682 institutional owners and shareholders, collectively owning 92,539,782 shares. The institutional ownership rate is 123.1% as of July 28, 2025, with insiders holding 1.52%. The company's market capitalization stood at $3.35 billion on July 31, 2025. This widespread institutional backing signifies a diversified ownership structure, with major investment firms playing a significant role in the company's strategic direction.
Institutional investors are the primary holders of Advance Auto Parts stock. Their significant shareholdings influence corporate governance and strategic decisions.
- BlackRock, Inc.
- Vanguard Group Inc.
- Price T Rowe Associates Inc /md/
- Pzena Investment Management Llc
- Dimensional Fund Advisors Lp
- Fuller & Thaler Asset Management, Inc.
The largest institutional shareholders, including BlackRock, Inc., Vanguard Group Inc., and Price T Rowe Associates Inc /md/, exert considerable influence over Advance Auto Parts. Their substantial investments mean they are key players in decisions affecting the company's Competitors Landscape of Advance Auto Parts and overall financial performance. The high percentage of institutional ownership, at 123.1% as of July 28, 2025, underscores the significant role these entities play in the Advance Auto Parts company structure and its market valuation.
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Who Sits on Advance Auto Parts’s Board?
As of April 8, 2024, Advance Auto Parts' board of directors consists of eleven nominees, all of whom are current board members. Eugene I. Lee, Jr. holds the position of independent chair, while Shane M. O'Kelly serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer.
Director Name | Role |
---|---|
Carla J. Bailo | Director |
John F. Ferraro | Director |
Joan M. Hilson | Director |
Jeffrey J. Jones II | Director |
Eugene I. Lee, Jr. | Independent Chair |
Shane M. O'Kelly | President and Chief Executive Officer |
Douglas A. Pertz | Director |
Thomas W. Seboldt | Director |
Gregory L. Smith | Director |
Sherice R. Torres | Director |
A. Brent Windom | Director |
In March 2024, Advance Auto Parts welcomed three new independent directors—A. Brent Windom, Gregory L. Smith, and Thomas W. Seboldt—as part of a cooperation agreement with investment firms Third Point LLC and Saddle Point Management, L.P. This expansion temporarily brought the board's total to 12 members. The company's voting structure generally follows a one-share-one-vote principle, common for publicly traded entities. The involvement of activist investors suggests their significant influence on the company's direction and decision-making processes, impacting the Growth Strategy of Advance Auto Parts.
The recent addition of directors reflects a strategic move to enhance board expertise. This collaboration signals a shift in the company's corporate governance.
- New directors bring expertise in automotive, supply chain, and merchandising.
- Cooperation agreement with Third Point LLC and Saddle Point Management, L.P.
- Temporary increase in board size to 12 members.
- Focus on ensuring a diverse skill set within the board.
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What Recent Changes Have Shaped Advance Auto Parts’s Ownership Landscape?
In recent years, Advance Auto Parts has undergone significant strategic shifts that have reshaped its ownership landscape and operational focus. These changes include divestitures, leadership transitions, and a renewed emphasis on core business performance, all of which are influencing its Advance Auto Parts stock performance.
Initiative | Date | Impact |
---|---|---|
Exploration of selling Worldpac and Canadian businesses | November 2023 | Strategic review to enhance financial health |
Sale of Worldpac to The Carlyle Group | August 2024 (announced), November 2024 (closed) | $1.5 billion sale to strengthen balance sheet and reinvest in core operations |
Major restructuring strategy | November 2024 | Closure of 4 distribution centers, 523 corporate stores, 204 independent locations; all California stores to close by March 2025. Projected cost: $350 million - $750 million. |
CEO transition | September 2023 | Shane O'Kelly succeeded Tom Greco as President and CEO |
CFO and Senior VP retirements/resignations | October 2024 | Anthony A. Iskander resigned as Interim CFO; Elizabeth E. Dreyer retired as Senior Vice President, Controller, and Chief Accounting Officer. Ryan P. Grimsland assumed interim principal accounting officer duties. |
Share buybacks | Period ending April 30, 2025: $2.22 million; December 31, 2024: $890.20K | Significant decrease compared to $265.21 million for April 30, 2022, indicating a shift in capital allocation strategy. |
The company's strategic maneuvers are occurring amidst a backdrop of evolving industry dynamics and investor sentiment. These developments are crucial for understanding the current Advance Auto Parts company structure and its future trajectory.
As of July 29, 2025, institutional investors, including hedge funds, hold a substantial 88.75% of the company's stock. This trend highlights increased confidence from major financial entities in the company's potential for recovery and growth.
Activist investors, such as Third Point LLC and Saddle Point Management, L.P., have actively engaged with the company. Their involvement has led to board expansions and a sharpened focus on operational enhancements and maximizing shareholder value, influencing the Advance Auto Parts board of directors.
The current Advance Auto Parts management team is targeting a rebound, projecting net sales between $8.4 billion and $8.6 billion for 2025. The long-term vision includes achieving $9 billion in sales and a 7% adjusted operating margin by 2027, demonstrating a clear path for improved Advance Auto Parts financial performance.
The appointment of Shane O'Kelly as the new Advance Auto Parts CEO in September 2023 signals a new era for the company. Coupled with the strategic restructuring and divestitures, these leadership changes are aimed at streamlining operations and improving overall efficiency.
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- What is Brief History of Advance Auto Parts Company?
- What is Competitive Landscape of Advance Auto Parts Company?
- What is Growth Strategy and Future Prospects of Advance Auto Parts Company?
- How Does Advance Auto Parts Company Work?
- What is Sales and Marketing Strategy of Advance Auto Parts Company?
- What are Mission Vision & Core Values of Advance Auto Parts Company?
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