O'Reilly Auto Parts: Your Comprehensive Automotive Retail Destination
O'Reilly Auto Parts, founded in 1957, has grown from a single store to over 5,100 locations nationwide, offering auto parts, tools, and accessories for both DIYers and professionals. Known for their extensive product range and continual expansion, they are a key player in the automotive retail industry, providing quality service and wide-reaching coverage across the U.S.
O'Reilly Auto Parts: Your Complete Shopping Hub for Vehicle Needs
Established in 1957, O'Reilly Auto Parts is a leading retailer specializing in automotive parts, tools, and accessories suitable for all vehicle types. They cater to both DIY enthusiasts and professional mechanics, offering expert services alongside an extensive product range. What started with a single store in Springfield, Missouri, has grown into a nationwide chain with over 5,100 locations spanning 47 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.
Founder Michael Byrne O'Reilly moved to St. Louis and initially worked in title examination. His son, Charles Francis O'Reilly, became a traveling salesman for Link Motor Supply, gaining prominence in the auto parts industry.
Chub O'Reilly, Charles’s son, joined Link Motor Supply, strengthening the company's leadership. In 1957, dissatisfied with organizational changes, they founded O'Reilly Automotive Inc., starting with a single store in Springfield. Their sales surged from $700,000 in 1958 to over $1.3 million by 1961. By 1975, annual sales reached $7 million, with a 52,000 sq ft facility in Springfield and nine stores in Missouri.
O'Reilly went public in 1993 on NASDAQ under the ticker ORLY, introducing stock options for employees. The 1998 merger with Hi/Lo Auto Supply expanded their reach with 182 Texas stores and a Houston distribution center. By 2000, they acquired KarPro Auto Parts, adding a large Arkansas distribution hub. Continued growth included acquisitions of Mid State Automotive Distributors and CSK Auto, making O'Reilly one of the top automotive parts suppliers in the U.S., with over 5,147 stores as of 2018.
With ongoing expansion plans, O’Reilly remains committed to solidifying its leadership position in the automotive industry, aiming to open more stores in the future.
