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Advance Professional EVP Bob Cushing: ‘Digital Roadmap’ Will Continue to Be Major Focus in 2019


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In our 2019 Distribution Preview in 

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 of Counterman, aftermarket leaders reflect on the highlights and accomplishments of 2018, and discuss their plans, goals and expectations for the year ahead.

Here’s our Q&A with Bob Cushing, executive vice president for Advance Professional:

 CM: What were some of the highlights for Advance Professional in 2018?

BC: We rolled out a number of major initiatives in 2018. They were all about improving the customer experience through the introduction of new technology. One key initiative was enabling our entire network to have complete access to our industry-leading product assortment, which we refer to as “cross-banner availability.”

We phased in the technology for cross-banner visibility first with our store systems and then through our B2B platforms, AdvancePro and speedDial. Our team members’ engagement in this project produced very positive responses from our customers and contributed to driving market-share gains.

 

Secondly, we introduced MyAdvance, enabling our customers to have complete access to our professional programs and products from a single portal. MyAdvance consolidated more than 30 different portals and includes access to AdvancePro, our B2B platform, CTI training, eServices, product offers and other information they need to run their business. Customers also can check product availability, place orders and manage multiple aspects of their business through a single portal.

At WORLDPAC, and now at Advance, I view our business as a tech company that sells automotive parts and provides technical solutions to our customers. In 2017, our digital-transformation roadmap was developed to support “The Right Part at the Right Time,” and in 2018, we began to deploy our new technology. We – and more importantly, our customers – are excited about what we’re doing at Advance.

At Advance Professional, we’re doing everything to continue to build stronger and stronger partnerships with our customers. In our banner program, TECHNET, we’ve enhanced the program and membership across all of our brands.

The industry’s leading training programs – the WORLDPAC Training Institute (WTI) and the Carquest Technical Institute (CTI) – are now integrated to provide our entire enterprise-wide customer base a broader curriculum of classes. The WTI/CTI training program empowers our customers to meet the complexity of repairing today’s vehicles. With an industry-wide shortage of certified technicians, WTI/CTI is training our customer’s technicians on new technology such as ADAS and helping build career paths to attract and retain technicians.

In 2018, we held our biennial WORLDPAC Supplier & Training Expo [STX], with more than 1,500 attendees. We’re already building our new curriculum for the STX 2020 event, including more than 150 classes, and we’re expecting more than 2,000 attendees. STX 2020 will be the largest training and supplier expo event in the automotive industry.

CM: What does Advance Professional have planned for 2019?

BC: We’ll continue to focus on our digital roadmap, focused on providing our customers the ability to access our complete suite of products, services and data.

Over the past few years, we’ve spent a lot of time developing Virtual Vehicle, a cloud-based library of 3-D animations illustrating how each vehicle part and system works. Virtual Vehicle identifies what repair is needed when certain vehicle conditions exist. This enables our customer’s service advisers to explain, in simple terms, the repair work required to the car owner. What we’ve found in shops that use this tool is an increase in repeat business, more referrals and higher conversion rates.

We’re relaunching Virtual Vehicle with an expanded assortment of new videos, including how to replace parts on specific vehicle models.

We’re building further enhancements and benefits to our TECHNET banner program to improve the customer experience and drive new membership.

We all know about the importance of access to vehicle data, for vehicle owners and repair shops. The Auto Care Association is doing a great job supporting legislation to provide access to the aftermarket. We are partnering with other industry leaders and supporters to provide additional access to the data.

An important part of our customer-experience roadmap is building a more robust product assortment closer to the customer to improve availability and reduce order-to-delivery times. Our customers expect shorter times to drive higher bay turnover. To support this initiative, we’re building out a digital delivery system that includes real-time access to delivery times from our stores, branches, hubs and DC network. This will provide our team members and customers delivery-time estimates during the order process so they can make an informed decision.

CM: How are you feeling about the business environment for the automotive aftermarket in 2019?

BC: The fundamentals look really strong. We’re looking forward to a terrific 2019, as we experienced in 2018. The industry will continue to grow and provide opportunities.

Low unemployment, miles driven, low fuel prices, the average age of vehicles, improved “sweet spot” – all of those factors indicate a very positive, robust industry in 2019. We love the momentum we’ve experienced throughout 2018, and we see that momentum carrying through 2019.

CM: What are some of the macroeconomic issues that could have an impact on your business in 2019?

BC: Obviously, we’ll be watching the tariffs carefully. For the most part, I think the prior [round of tariffs]wasn’t an issue. The industry was growing and well-positioned to pass on the price adjustments.

As I mentioned earlier, one of the greatest industry challenges is the technician shortage. We continue to focus a lot of time and energy into the CTI and the WTI. We’ve partnered with NASTF on developing a technician career path. We’ll continue to work with our strategic partners to develop that career path, to attract more high school students into this industry. We’re committed to helping the industry address this critical challenge. We have a feasibility study in progress to assess building an Automotive Institute of Science and Technology. More to come relating to this important initiative.

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      4,036,898
       
       
       
      4,154,190
       
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      817,567
       
       
       
      3,061,404
       
       
       
      3,040,480
       
      Selling, general and administrative expenses
         
      907,495
       
       
       
      896,145
       
       
       
      2,954,707
       
       
       
      2,959,238
       
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      403
       
       
       
      (78,578
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      106,697
       
       
       
      81,242
       
      Other, net:
         
       
       
       
       
       
       
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      (18,805
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      (19,375
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      (62,127
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      (69,948
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      2,393
       
       
       
      (305
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      12,769
       
       
       
      232
       
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      (19,680
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      (49,358
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      (69,716
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      (Loss) income before provision for income taxes
         
      (16,009
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      (98,258
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      57,339
       
       
       
      11,526
       
      Provision for income taxes
         
      9,354
       
       
       
      (24,072
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      34,763
       
       
       
      6,360
       
      Net (loss) income from continuing operations
         
      (25,363
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      (74,186
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      22,576
       
       
       
      5,166
       
      Net income from discontinued operations
         
      19,349
       
       
       
      12,149
       
       
       
      56,413
       
       
       
      59,696
       
      Net (loss) income
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      (6,014
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      $
      (62,037
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      $
      78,989
       
       
      $
      64,862
       
       
         
       
       
       
       
       
       
      Basic (loss) earnings per common share from continuing operations
        $
      (0.42
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      $
      (1.25
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      $
      0.38
       
       
      $
      0.09
       
      Basic earnings per common share from discontinued operations
         
      0.32
       
       
       
      0.20
       
       
       
      0.95
       
       
       
      1.00
       
      Basic (loss) earnings per common share
        $
      (0.10
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      $
      (1.05
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      $
      1.33
       
       
      $
      1.09
       
      Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding
         
      59,684
       
       
       
      59,474
       
       
       
      59,618
       
       
       
      59,411
       
       
         
       
       
       
       
       
       
      Diluted (loss) earnings per common share from continuing operations
        $
      (0.42
      )
       
      $
      (1.24
      )
       
      $
      0.38
       
       
      $
      0.09
       
      Diluted earnings per common share from discontinued operations
         
      0.32
       
       
       
      0.20
       
       
       
      0.94
       
       
       
      1.00
       
      Diluted (loss) earnings per common share
        $
      (0.10
      )
       
      $
      (1.04
      )
       
      $
      1.32
       
       
      $
      1.09
       
      Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding
         
      59,902
       
       
       
      59,630
       
       
       
      59,878
       
       
       
      59,588
       
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        Forty Weeks Ended
       
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      October 7, 2023
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      Net income
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      78,989
       
       
      $
      64,862
       
      Net income from discontinued operations
         
      56,413
       
       
       
      59,696
       
      Net income from continuing operations
         
      22,576
       
       
       
      5,166
       
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      Depreciation and amortization
         
      217,197
       
       
       
      206,658
       
      Share-based compensation
         
      33,810
       
       
       
      33,777
       
      (Gain) Loss on sale and impairment of long-lived assets
         
      (14,273
      )
       
       
      1,886
       
      Provision for deferred income taxes
         
      24,289
       
       
       
      (27,811
      )
      Other, net
         
      2,986
       
       
       
      2,436
       
      Net change in:
         
       
       
      Receivables, net
         
      (60,383
      )
       
       
      (161,629
      )
      Inventories, net
         
      (152,229
      )
       
       
      (110,871
      )
      Accounts payable
         
      (25,225
      )
       
       
      (77,336
      )
      Accrued expenses
         
      30,794
       
       
       
      171,117
       
      Other assets and liabilities, net
         
      1,477
       
       
       
      (71,707
      )
      Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations
         
      81,019
       
       
       
      (28,314
      )
      Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations
         
      76,917
       
       
       
      57,148
       
      Net cash provided by operating activities
         
      157,936
       
       
       
      28,834
       
      Cash flows from investing activities:
         
       
       
      Purchases of property and equipment
         
      (129,714
      )
       
       
      (174,186
      )
      Proceeds from sales of property and equipment
         
      13,232
       
       
       
      2,001
       
      Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations
         
      (116,482
      )
       
       
      (172,185
      )
      Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations
         
      (7,988
      )
       
       
      (13,015
      )
      Net cash used in investing activities
         
      (124,470
      )
       
       
      (185,200
      )
      Cash flows from financing activities:
         
       
       
      Borrowings under credit facilities
         

       
       
       
      4,805,000
       
      Payments on credit facilities
         

       
       
       
      (4,990,000
      )
      Borrowings on senior unsecured notes
         

       
       
       
      599,571
       
      Dividends paid
         
      (44,882
      )
       
       
      (194,322
      )
      Purchases of noncontrolling interests
         
      (9,101
      )
       
       

       
      Proceeds from the issuance of common stock
         
      2,995
       
       
       
      3,045
       
      Repurchases of common stock
         
      (5,601
      )
       
       
      (14,237
      )
      Other, net
         
      (1,143
      )
       
       
      (5,010
      )
      Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
         
      (57,732
      )
       
       
      204,047
       
       
        Forty Weeks Ended
       
        October 5, 2024
       
      October 7, 2023
      Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
         
      11,766
       
       
       
      (1,932
      )
       
         
       
       
      Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
         
      (12,500
      )
       
       
      45,749
       
      Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
         
      503,471
       
       
       
      270,805
       
      Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
        $
      490,971
       
       
      $
      316,554
       
       
         
       
       
      Summary of cash and cash equivalents:
         
       
       
      Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period
        $
      464,492
       
       
      $
      308,804
       
      Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period
         
      26,479
       
       
       
      7,750
       
      Cash and cash equivalents , end of period
        $
      490,971
       
       
      $
      316,554
       
      (1)
        The condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the forty weeks ended October 7, 2023, reflects the correction of non-material errors the company discovered in previously reported results.
      Restatement of Previously Issued Financial Statements
      During the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023, the company identified errors primarily impacting cost of sales, selling, general and administrative costs and other income/expenses, net, incurred in prior years but not previously recognized. The company evaluated the errors and determined that the related impacts were not material to the previously issued consolidated financial statements for any prior period. A summary of the corrections to the impacted financial statement line items in the company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the twelve and forty weeks ended October 7, 2023, and the company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the forty weeks ended October 7, 2023, included in the company's previously filed Annual Report on Form 10-K are presented below:
      Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
      October 7, 2023
       
        Twelve Weeks Ended
      (in thousands)
        As Previously Reported
       
      Adjustments
       
      As Corrected
       
      Discontinued Operations
       
      As Corrected, after Discontinued Operations
      Cost of sales
        $
      1,732,420
       
       
      $
      16,379
       
       
      $
      1,748,799
       
       
      $
      348,161
       
      $
      1,400,638
       
      Gross profit
         
      986,659
       
       
       
      (16,379
      )
       
       
      970,280
       
       
       
      152,713
       
       
      817,567
       
      Selling, general and administrative expenses
         
      1,030,355
       
       
       
      878
       
       
       
      1,031,233
       
       
       
      135,088
       
       
      896,145
       
      Operating (loss) income
         
      (43,696
      )
       
       
      (17,257
      )
       
       
      (60,953
      )
       
       
      17,625
       
       
      (78,578
      )
      (Loss) Income before provision for income taxes
         
      (64,319
      )
       
       
      (17,257
      )
       
       
      (81,576
      )
       
       
      16,682
       
       
      (98,258
      )
      Provision for income taxes
         
      (15,686
      )
       
       
      (3,853
      )
       
       
      (19,539
      )
       
       
      4,533
       
       
      (24,072
      )
      Net (loss) income
        $
      (48,633
      )
       
      $
      (13,404
      )
       
      $
      (62,037
      )
       
      $
      12,149
       
      $
      (74,186
      )
       
         
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
      Basic (loss) earnings per share
        $
      (0.82
      )
       
      $
      (0.23
      )
       
      $
      (1.05
      )
       
      $
      0.20
       
      $
      (1.25
      )
      Diluted (loss) earnings per common share
        $
      (0.82
      )
       
      $
      (0.22
      )
       
      $
      (1.04
      )
       
      $
      0.20
       
      $
      (1.24
      )
      Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
      October 7, 2023
       
        Forty Weeks Ended
      (in thousands)
        As Previously Reported
       
      Adjustments
       
      As Corrected
       
      Discontinued Operations
       
      As Corrected, after Discontinued Operations
      Cost of sales
        $
      5,220,200
       
      $
      29,877
       
       
      $
      5,250,077
       
      $
      1,095,887
       
      $
      4,154,190
      Gross profit
         
      3,602,538
       
       
      (29,877
      )
       
       
      3,572,661
       
       
      532,181
       
       
      3,040,480
      Selling, general and administrative expenses
         
      3,407,445
       
       
      2,272
       
       
       
      3,409,717
       
       
      450,479
       
       
      2,959,238
      Operating income (loss)
         
      195,093
       
       
      (32,149
      )
       
       
      162,944
       
       
      81,702
       
       
      81,242
      Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
         
      124,894
       
       
      (32,149
      )
       
       
      92,745
       
       
      81,219
       
       
      11,526
      Provision for income taxes
         
      34,649
       
       
      (6,766
      )
       
       
      27,883
       
       
      21,523
       
       
      6,360
      Net income (loss)
        $
      90,245
       
      $
      (25,383
      )
       
      $
      64,862
       
      $
      59,696
       
      $
      5,166
       
         
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
      Basic earnings (loss) per share
        $
      1.52
       
      $
      (0.43
      )
       
      $
      1.09
       
      $
      1.00
       
      $
      0.09
      Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
        $
      1.51
       
      $
      (0.42
      )
       
      $
      1.09
       
      $
      1.00
       
      $
      0.09
      Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
      Forty Weeks Ended October 7, 2023
      (in thousands)
        As Previously Reported
       
      Adjustments
       
      As Corrected
       
      Discontinued Operations
       
      As Corrected, after Discontinued Operations
      Net income
        $
      90,245
       
       
      $
      (25,383
      )
       
      $
      64,862
       
       
      $
      59,696
       
       
      $
      5,166
       
      Provision for deferred income taxes
         
      (33,059
      )
       
       
      5,248
       
       
       
      (27,811
      )
       
       

       
       
       
      (27,811
      )
      Other, net
         
      1,499
       
       
       
      937
       
       
       
      2,436
       
       
       

       
       
       
      2,436
       
      Net change in:
         
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
      Receivables, net
         
      (170,371
      )
       
       
      (9,519
      )
       
       
      (179,890
      )
       
       
      (18,261
      )
       
       
      (161,629
      )
      Inventories, net
         
      (41,025
      )
       
       
      15,442
       
       
       
      (25,583
      )
       
       
      85,288
       
       
       
      (110,871
      )
      Accounts payable
         
      (191,871
      )
       
       
      28,500
       
       
       
      (163,371
      )
       
       
      (86,035
      )
       
       
      (77,336
      )
      Accrued expenses
         
      145,704
       
       
       
      21,521
       
       
       
      167,225
       
       
       
      (3,892
      )
       
       
      171,117
       
      Other assets and liabilities, net
         
      (45,015
      )
       
       
      (38,316
      )
       
       
      (83,331
      )
       
       
      (11,624
      )
       
       
      (71,707
      )
      Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
         
      30,404
       
       
       
      (1,570
      )
       
       
      28,834
       
       
       
      57,148
       
       
       
      (28,314
      )
      Other, net (1)
         
      (4,073
      )
       
       
      (937
      )
       
       
      (5,010
      )
       
       

       
       
       
      (5,010
      )
      Net cash provided by financing activities
         
      204,984
       
       
       
      (937
      )
       
       
      204,047
       
       
       
       
       
      Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
         
      (1,942
      )
       
       
      10
       
       
       
      (1,932
      )
       
       
       
       
      Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
         
      48,246
       
       
       
      (2,497
      )
       
       
      45,749
       
       
       
       
       
      Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
         
      269,282
       
       
       
      1,523
       
       
       
      270,805
       
       
       
      50,670
       
       
       
      220,135
       
      Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
        $
      317,528
       
       
      $
      (974
      )
       
      $
      316,554
       
       
      $
      7,750
       
       
      $
      308,804
       
      (1)
        The summary of corrections table above inadvertently omitted disclosure for proceeds from the issuance of common stock as follows: $3.0 million as previously reported, $0 adjustments and $3.0 million as corrected.
      Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
      The company's financial results include certain financial measures not derived in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted Net income, Adjusted EPS, Adjusted SG&A Margin, and Adjusted Operating Income, should not be used as a substitute for GAAP financial measures, or considered in isolation, for the purpose of analyzing our operating performance, financial position or cash flows.
      The company has presented these non-GAAP financial measures as the company believes that the presentation of the financial results that exclude (1) transformation expenses under the company’s turnaround plan, (2) other significant costs and (3) nonrecurring tax expense are useful and indicative of the company's base operations because the expenses vary from period to period in terms of size, nature and significance. These measures assist in comparing the company’s current operating results with past periods and with the operational performance of other companies in the industry. The disclosure of these measures allows investors to evaluate the company’s performance using the same measures management uses in developing internal budgets and forecasts and in evaluating management’s compensation. Included below is a description of the expenses the company has determined are not normal, recurring cash operating expenses necessary to operate the company’s business and the rationale for why providing these measures is useful to investors as a supplement to the GAAP measures.
      Transformation Expenses — Costs incurred in connection with the company's turnaround plan and specific transformative activities related to asset optimization that the company does not view to be normal cash operating expenses. These expenses primarily include:
      Distribution network optimization — Costs primarily relating to the conversion of the stores and DCs to market hubs, including temporary labor, team member severance, long-lived asset write off charges and incremental depreciation, as a result of accelerating depreciation of long-lived assets over a shorter useful life as a result of the optimization plans. Third-party professional services — Costs relating to non-recurring services rendered by third-party vendors assisting with the turnaround initiatives. Other Expenses — Costs incurred by the company that are not viewed as normal cash operating expenses and vary from period to period in terms of size, nature, and significance, including but not limited to executive turnover and incremental costs associated with remediating the company's previously-disclosed material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting.
      Nonrecurring Tax Expense — Income tax incurred by the company from the book to tax basis difference in the Worldpac Canada stock directly resulting from the sale of Worldpac.
      The following tables include reconciliations of this information to the most comparable GAAP measures:
      Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS:
       
        Twelve Weeks Ended
       
      Forty Weeks Ended
      (in thousands, except per share data)
        October 5, 2024
       
      October 7, 2023
       
      October 5, 2024
       
      October 7, 2023
      Net (loss) income from continuing operations (GAAP)
        $
      (25,363
      )
       
      $
      (74,186
      )
       
      $
      22,576
       
       
      $
      5,166
       
      Selling, general and administrative
      adjustments:
         
       
       
       
       
       
       
      Transformation expenses:
         
       
       
       
       
       
       
      Distribution network optimization
         
      8,909
       
       
       

       
       
       
      13,943
       
       
       

       
      Third-party professional services
         
      3,582
       
       
       
      50
       
       
       
      5,301
       
       
       
      320
       
      Other charges:
         
       
       
       
       
       
       
      Executive turnover
         
      87
       
       
       
      3,799
       
       
       
      1,561
       
       
       
      5,360
       
      Material weakness remediation
         
      1,293
       
       
       
      429
       
       
       
      3,649
       
       
       
      429
       
      Other significant costs (1)
         
      2,394
       
       
       

       
       
       
      3,491
       
       
       

       
      Provision for income taxes on adjustments (2)
         
      (4,066
      )
       
       
      (1,070
      )
       
       
      (6,986
      )
       
       
      (1,527
      )
      Nonrecurring tax expense
         
      10,000
       
       
       

       
       
       
      10,000
       
       
       

       
      Adjusted net (loss) income (Non-GAAP)
        $
      (3,164
      )
       
      $
      (70,978
      )
       
      $
      53,535
       
       
      $
      9,748
       
       
         
       
       
       
       
       
       
      Diluted (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations (GAAP)
        $
      (0.42
      )
       
      $
      (1.24
      )
       
      $
      0.38
       
       
      $
      0.09
       
      Adjustments, net of tax
         
      0.38
       
       
       
      0.05
       
       
       
      0.52
       
       
       
      0.08
       
      Adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP)
        $
      (0.04
      )
       
      $
      (1.19
      )
       
      $
      0.90
       
       
      $
      0.17
        (1)
        During the twelve and forty weeks ended October 5, 2024, the Company recorded expense of $2.4 million and $3.5 million for costs incurred following a cybersecurity incident that occurred over these periods.
      (2)
        The income tax impact of non-GAAP adjustments is calculated using the estimated tax rate in effect for the respective non-GAAP adjustments.
      Reconciliation of Adjusted Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
       
        Twelve Weeks Ended
       
      Forty Weeks Ended
      (in thousands)
        October 5, 2024
       
      October 7, 2023
       
      October 5, 2024
       
      October 7, 2023
      SG&A (GAAP)
        $
      907,495
       
      $
      896,145
       
      $
      2,954,707
       
      $
      2,959,238
      SG&A adjustments
         
      16,265
       
       
      4,278
       
       
      27,945
       
       
      6,109
      Adjusted SG&A (Non-GAAP)
        $
      891,230
       
      $
      891,867
       
      $
      2,926,762
       
      $
      2,953,129
      Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Income:
       
        Twelve Weeks Ended
       
      Forty Weeks Ended
      (in thousands)
        October 5, 2024
       
      October 7, 2023
       
      October 5, 2024
       
      October 7, 2023
      Operating income (GAAP)
        $
      403
       
      $
      (78,578
      )
       
      $
      106,697
       
      $
      81,242
      SG&A adjustments
         
      16,265
       
       
      4,278
       
       
       
      27,945
       
       
      6,109
      Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP)
        $
      16,668
       
      $
      (74,300
      )
       
      $
      134,642
       
      $
      87,351
      NOTE:
        Adjusted SG&A, Adjusted SG&A as a percentage of Net sales, Adjusted operating income and Adjusted operating income margin (calculated by dividing Adjusted operating income by Net sales) are non-GAAP measures. Management believes these non-GAAP measures are important metrics in assessing the overall performance of the business and utilizes these metrics in its ongoing reporting. On that basis, management believes it is useful to provide these metrics to investors and prospective investors to evaluate the company’s operating performance across periods adjusting for these items (refer to the reconciliations of non-GAAP adjustments above). These non-GAAP measures might not be calculated in the same manner as, and thus might not be comparable to, similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Non-GAAP measures should not be used by investors or third parties as the sole basis for formulating investment decisions, as they may exclude a number of important cash and non-cash recurring items.
      Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow: (1)
         
       
       
       
        Forty Weeks Ended
      (in thousands)
        October 5, 2024
       
      October 7, 2023
      Cash flows provided by operating activities of continuing operations
        $
      81,019
       
       
      $
      (28,314
      )
      Purchases of property and equipment
         
      (129,714
      )
       
       
      (174,186
      )
      Free cash flow
        $
      (48,695
      )
       
      $
      (202,500
      )
      Adjusted Debt to Adjusted EBITDAR: (1)
         
       
       
       
        Four Quarters Ended
      (In thousands, except adjusted debt to adjusted EBITDAR ratio)
        October 5, 2024
       
      December 30, 2023
      Total GAAP debt
        $
      1,788,513
       
       
      $
      1,786,361
       
      Add: Operating lease liabilities
         
      2,711,578
       
       
       
      2,660,827
       
      Adjusted debt
        $
      4,500,091
       
       
      $
      4,447,188
       
       
         
       
       
      GAAP Net income
        $
      50,819
       
       
      $
      29,735
       
      Depreciation and amortization
         
      309,566
       
       
       
      306,454
       
      Interest expense
         
      80,559
       
       
       
      88,055
       
      Other expense, net
         
      (16,174
      )
       
       
      (5,525
      )
      Provision for income taxes
         
      23,843
       
       
       
      2,112
       
      Rent expense
         
      638,232
       
       
       
      613,859
       
      Share-based compensation
         
      46,557
       
       
       
      45,647
       
      Other charges (2)
         
      40,091
       
       
       
      12,419
       
      Transformation related charges
         
      27,131
       
       
       
      29,719
       
      Adjusted EBITDAR
        $
      1,200,624
       
       
      $
      1,122,475
       
       
         
       
       
      Adjusted Debt to Adjusted EBITDAR
         
      3.7
       
       
       
      4.0
       
      (1)
        The four quarters ended October 5, 2024, includes the correction of non-material errors the company discovered in previously reported results.
      (2)
        The adjustments to the four quarters ended October 5, 2024, and December 30, 2023, include expenses associated with the company's material weakness remediation efforts and executive turnover.
       
         
      NOTE:
        Management believes its Adjusted Debt to Adjusted EBITDAR ratio (“leverage ratio”) is a key financial metric for debt securities, as reviewed by rating agencies, and believes its debt levels are best analyzed using this measure. The company’s goal is to maintain an investment grade rating. The company's credit rating directly impacts the interest rates on borrowings under its existing credit facility and could impact the company's ability to obtain additional funding. If the company was unable to maintain its investment grade rating, this could negatively impact future performance and limit growth opportunities. Similar measures are utilized in the calculation of the financial covenants and ratios contained in the company's financing arrangements. The leverage ratio calculated by the company is a non-GAAP measure and should not be considered a substitute for debt to net earnings, as determined in accordance with GAAP. The company adjusts the calculation to remove rent expense and to add back the company’s existing operating lease liabilities related to their right-of-use assets to provide a more meaningful comparison with the company’s peers and to account for differences in debt structures and leasing arrangements. The company’s calculation of its leverage ratio may not be calculated in the same manner as other companies, and thus may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
      Store Information
      During the forty weeks ended October 5, 2024, 23 stores were opened and 29 were closed, resulting in a total of 4,781 stores as of October 5, 2024, compared with a total of 4,786 stores as of December 30, 2023.
      The below table summarizes the changes in the number of company-operated stores during the twelve and forty weeks ended October 5, 2024:
       
       
      Twelve Weeks Ended
       
       
      AAP
       
      CARQUEST
       
      Total
      July 15, 2024
       
      4,484
       
       
      292
       
       
      4,776
       
      New
       
      9
       
       

       
       
      9
       
      Closed
       
      (2
      )
       
      (2
      )
       
      (4
      )
      Converted
       
      1
       
       
      (1
      )
       

       
      October 5, 2024
       
      4,492
       
       
      289
       
       
      4,781
       
       
       
      Forty Weeks Ended
       
       
      AAP
       
      CARQUEST
       
      Total
      December 30, 2023
       
      4,484
       
       
      302
       
       
      4,786
       
      New
       
      23
       
       

       
       
      23
       
      Closed
       
      (17
      )
       
      (12
      )
       
      (29
      )
      Converted
       
      2
       
       
      (1
      )
       
      1
       
      October 5, 2024
       
      4,492
       
       
      289
       
       
      4,781
       
       

      link hidden, please login to view
    • By Counterman
      link hidden, please login to view, a global manufacturer of filtration products, and AMN/Counterman magazine named Moe Ali of Arch Auto Parts the 2024 Counter Professional of the Year. Ali is the vice president of sales at Arch Auto Parts, a division of NexaMotion Group. The Counter Professional of the Year award, sponsored by WIX Filters and presented at AAPEX in Las Vegas, annually recognizes an automotive aftermarket parts professional whose dedication, work ethic and expertise elevate their business and the profession as a whole.
      “Moe’s commitment to customer service is what sets him apart,” says Tina Davis, senior marketing manager – WIX global and US. “No one is more dedicated to getting the right parts for his customers. It’s why they continue to come back to him decades later. We are honored to recognize Moe as the 2024 Counter Professional of the Year.”
      Born in Guyana, Ali came to the United States at the age of eight. He was still in high school when he took a job as a part-time employee at Arch Auto Parts in Hollis, New York. Over the years, he took on a variety of roles, all of which helped develop the skills and knowledge needed to thrive as an aftermarket parts professional.
      “Moe has developed excellent parts and sales skills,” said Chris Bodh, group president of general repair businesses at Arch’s parent company, NexaMotion Group. “He’s loved and respected by his staff and customers and has an amazing attitude, even when he is juggling a lot of priorities.”
      Ali has made a career based on exceptional customer service. Developing relationships is what keeps generations of customers coming back to him. His philosophy is simple: “Get ‘em the right part, the first time.”  
      “Moe just worked hard and earned a lot of respect from a lot of his colleagues and customers,” said Kish Samaroo, vice president of operations at Arch Auto Parts. “He is the go-to guy. Every customer wants him because he has this personality that is really cool and calm.”
      Despite ascending to an executive role, Ali doesn’t shy away from the sales floor. He says he’d rather be “where the action is.”
      “It is truly an honor to award Moe as the 2024 Wix Filters Counter Professional of the Year,” said Jeff White, managing editor of Counterman. “He is deeply dedicated to his work, but it’s a labor of love. Moe goes beyond just selling a part—he cultivates relationships with his customers. People like Moe make the aftermarket great.”
      As dedicated as he is to the business, Ali still makes time for his family: his wife of 28 years, Ramona, and their two daughters, both in their 20s.
      As part of the Counter Professional of the Year award, Ali and his wife received an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas for AAPEX 2024. He was honored during the AWDA luncheon and was presented the award during the AMN/Counterman Counter Professional of the Year reception.
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