SPOTLIGHT ON
Time for Business All Auto Parts Co.
Father-Son ownership has been in place for much of this facility’s 77-year history. Their key to longevity is keeping priorities in order. By Caryn Smith
The duo is proud that their business is steeped in I 56
history operating under the same name for 77 exciting years. “My father, Milton, purchased All Auto Parts Co. after a stint in the military,” says Ed Milmeister. “From the beginning, he was very involved in the industry and the then National Auto Wreckers Association [NAWA], and I believe was a founding member. I was around this industry my whole life. In fact, I was only twelve when dad took me to my first meeting.” (In 1943, a group of auto wreckers formed the NAWA; which is now known as ARA). “My dad ran the business from 1941-1966, until I grad- uated from UCLA at 21 with a business degree. He re- ally loved buying cars, but he wasn’t a numbers guy. He didn’t care much about the bank account, and he let my mom do that part. When I came into the business, I took over that function and aggressively started to run the business. Dad wanted to maintain authority, but ul- timately whoever runs the finances runs the business. It actually worked out best for both of us,” says Ed. “Dad and I continued to work as a team for many years.”
n life and business, you just have to set priorities and be happy with the outcomes, or adjust accordingly. At least that is the opinion of the team at All Auto Parts Co. (
eallauto.com), located in Fontana, Calif., where the father-son partners Ed and Jared Milmeis- ter have a pretty good system worked out. Setting the right priorities has produced dividends beyond profits for both men and keeps this family-owned business (which started in 1941) going strong.
Running the Business Today, as President of the company, Ed has assumed
the role as primary inventory buyer and sets the pricing, while his son Jared is the General Manager running the day-to-day operations, including managing the produc- tion, employees, and the hazard safety program. He as- sists with buying and pricing, and both men collaborate on strategic planning.
The business was nomadic-like for many years un- til they landed in Fontana, in Southern California. “We would buy land, and my brother would develop mini-storage units on the property. As the land increased in value, we would relocate the recycling operation, and in turn, lease out the land for more money. Now, with land getting scarce in California, we have settled in our current location for many years.” All Auto Parts Co., a full-service operation, covers 4 acres and is a late model specialist in foreign & Amer- ican cars, trucks, and vans. They have 26 employees, many who have been at the business for over 20 years.
July-August 2018 • AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLING
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