Pursuit of Excellence Award: Recognizing Special Achievement

Pursuit of Excellence Award: Recognizing Special Achievement

This annual award is presented in recognition of excellence in business performance and the setting of high standards as an example for others to follow. Such performance may be related to innovative and successful methods of management, marketing, manufacturing or service. In addition, this award may be presented for exemplary volunteer or advocacy efforts made on behalf of the winner's company and/or industry. Award winners must be an AWDA member or employed by an AWDA member company.

2024 RECIPIENT: Larry Pacey

The Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), a community of the Auto Care Association, presented its 2024 Pursuit of Excellence Award to Larry Pacey, President and CEO of NPW Companies.  The award was presented by AWDA Secretary Cliff Hovis at the association’s 2024 Annual Conference on November 3^rd in Las Vegas.

Established in 1983, the Pursuit of Excellence Award is presented exclusively to an AWDA member for special achievement and for the setting of high standards as an example for others to follow, in business and in volunteer or advocacy efforts.

More than 55 years ago, Larry Pacey founded NPW Companies, then known as National Carburetor Exchange, out of a 600-square-foot building. Pacey did everything from sales and collections to rebuilding carburetors entirely on his own. Five decades later, the company – still led by Pacey but now staffed by an effective team – boasts 30 locations across the United States and Canada, including more than 100 corporate and independently-owned jobbers, and services nearly 200 Auto Value, Bumper to Bumper, and Confidence Plus Certified Service Centers.  With Pacey at the helm, NPW is one of the most expansive and fastest-growing warehouse distributor powerhouses in the nation.

Pacey had a big vision for NPW Companies from the start. Within five years of founding, he evolved the business to include a retail parts store handling many performance lines. In 1974, the business became a warehouse distributor carrying all performance lines. Throughout the ’80s, Pacey grew the business through expansion into traditional parts and opened additional warehouses in Orlando and West Palm Beach, Fla. He added truck accessories to the company’s product offerings in 1998.

In 2008, Pacey’s team acquired Southern Performance Warehouse, marking the beginning of the company’s quest to significantly expand their footprint. Over the next 10 years, the company completed more than 20 acquisitions in many different regions. Through the strategic acquisition, organic sales growth, and strong leadership, the company became dominant in the aftermarket and continues to grow quickly, even amid the uncertainty of the pandemic.

NPW Companies is known for its major industry-wide events, hosted by Pacey. At the company’s annual golf tournament, Pacey takes on all players on the “Beat the Boss” hole to ensure he gets to interact and play with every guest at the event. The company’s annual FAST Florida Automotive, Speed & Truck) Expo brings in thousands of attendees. And the nearly 10- year-old Million Dollar Dinner, exclusive to vendor partners who do more than a million dollars of business with NPW Companies, is a black-tie affair beloved by invitees. The company has also expanded its trade show presence to Canada.

Pacey and his team are actively involved within the industry as he formerly served on the boards of the AWDA Board of Governors

Today, NPW operates in over 1,500,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space with 23 distribution centers, Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Canada. NPW services over 30,000 accounts in North America and several international markets. A team that size with that massive of a footprint needs a foundation to succeed and that begins with education and industry training.

NPW, as a member of the Alliance and under Pacey’s leadership has both orchestrated and attended three successful Alliance Aftermarket Jackpot Conventions in Las Vegas bringing more than 6,000 technicians and shop owners to the AAPEX show over the years. As a member of the Alliance Board of Directors, Pacey’s leadership and belief in education was a driving force in bringing large contingents of shop, service and repair professionals to AAPEX and connecting them with their distributor partners and the manufacturers who operate in the aftermarket channel.

Pacey and his team are Auto Care Political Action Committee (ACPAC) supporters, and are always seen on the hill as political advocates, actively engaging with both local and national lawmakers; advocating for H.R. 906 The REPAIR Act and the Technicians’ Right to Repair.

NPW’s team under Pacey’s leadership and guidance are active supporters of The University of the Aftermarket and the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, including the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper scholarship program which in total has provided nearly $600,000.00 to students pursuing industry and secondary education.

Pacey continues to sponsor Young Auto Care Networking Group (YANG) as well as Women in Auto Care (WiAC).

Outside of the industry, Pacey supports the First Tee program in Miami, FL, which is a youth development organization that enables kids to build strength of character by integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum.  His industry involvement is expansive and impressive company footprint are tributes to his success as a backbone and leader of the aftermarket.