SPOTLIGHT ON EXCELLENCE
NationWide Auto Parts in Central Valley, an hour north of New York City, has achieved for- midable success and growth in just eight years. Azatullah is hit- ting every business goal he sets and is still striving to improve and advance his business. He recent- ly spent some time with Auto- motive Recycling magazine to talk about NationWide’s remarkable journey, his personal goals and his business plan for reaching the top of the industry.
AR: How did you get your start in the business?
I have loved cars since I was a little kid. My father and two older brothers started a recycling yard in Queens in the mid-90s, and I always enjoyed watching my dad at work. They sold the yard in 2007. At the time, I was looking for a business to buy that needed help. I decided I wanted to get into auto recycling with my own yard, and I started looking for an existing yard that was fail- ing. When I found the right one, my father helped me get started financially, and here I am.
AR: Was there enough left of that failing yard to use as the basis for your business? There was nothing but garbage left on their five-acre lot. But I was fortunate in being able to keep some of the existing cus- tomers from my father’s yard, as well as some of his inventory to get started. My father and broth- ers paved the way for me.
AR: You have a lot of competi- tion in the geographic area where you are located. What is different about NationWide Used Parts that sets you apart? We specialize in newer luxury vehicles. I have always been into high-end, exotic cars, and those types of cars comprise sixty to seventy-five percent of our inventory.
54 Automotive Recycling | January-February 2016 AR: That’s it?
In any business, the secret to success is in its employ- ees. I hire the best people I can find, and then I treat them right and communicate constantly. When you communicate with your employees, they will work with you to reach common goals. I make sure that all
AR: The New York City metro
area seems like the ideal location for a recycler with that niche. Can you give me an example of the kind of salvage you are buying? I buy vehicles that other recy- clers are afraid to buy because they are expensive. My other two buyers and I are always looking for unique vehicles to part out. For example, I just bought a 2006 Bentley to dismantle.
AR:With your sights set on the high-end market, when did your plan show signs of being success- ful?
The numbers the first year were phenomenal, and we have con- tinued to grow at thirty percent a year since. I paid my father back on my original business loan from him in three years.
AR: Is 30% year-over-year growth sustainable?
It is hard to say the 30% year-
over-year growth would be sus- tainable due to changes in the industry and economy that are out of my control. My goal is to have a sustainable 18 to 22 per- cent growth year over year by con- tinuing to offer our unique line of products and keeping up with our best customer service prac- tices. And most importantly –hav- ing a competitive pricing strategy.
AR: What factors are contribut- ing to NationWide’s extraordi- nary growth?
From the start, a lot of good business practices have fallen into place. And I surround myself with the best talent.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64