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.