Tri-State Enterprises Acquires Bristo Battery and Supply
The facility will be branded as an Eagle Auto Parts location & operate as both a distribution hub & a hard parts retail store…
Automotive aftermarket hard parts, consumables and accessories warehouse distributor Tri-State Enterprises has acquired Bristo Battery and Supply, located in Lubbock, Texas. Tri-State is supported by HCI Equity Partners, a private equity firm headquartered in Washington, D.C.
The acquisition enhances Tri-State’s ability to provide customers in West Texas with a wider range of automotive aftermarket products and improved logistical support, according to company officials. Bristo Battery, known for its strong customer relationships, complements Tri-State’s existing operations and expands its footprint into a key geographic market.
The new, 18,000-square-foot facility will be branded as an Eagle Auto Parts location and operate as both a distribution hub and a hard parts retail store.
“This acquisition allows us to further support our customers in West Texas with the quality products, reliable supply and personalized service they’ve come to expect,” said Junior Calvert, Tri-State general manager of Texas. “We are excited to welcome the Bristo Battery team into the Tri-State family.”
Bristo Battery and Supply was founded in 1945 by Earl Bristo Jr., who launched the business in Vernon, Texas, shortly after returning from WWII. Initially focused on rebuilding starters and generators, Bristo later transitioned from operating a repair shop to running a full-service auto parts store.
As demand grew, the company expanded into a full-line auto parts warehouse serving north-central Texas and southern Oklahoma. To support this growth, Bristo Battery and Supply relocated and established operations in Lubbock. Mark Cunningham, the most recent owner, joined the company in 2001.
“I wasn’t actively looking to sell Bristo Battery and Supply. However, after Tri-State Enterprises first reached out, I took the time to learn more about the company. I was impressed by its strong history and the extensive resources it offers. These factors, among others, made my decision easy to partner with them,” said Cunningham.
Tri-State Enterprises is a member of Parts Plus and the AAM Group. The family-operated automotive aftermarket distributor is headquartered in Fort Smith, Arkansas, with locations throughout Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.
