Benicia, CA — Sept. 30, 2008 — /PRNewswire/ — 1-800-Radiator, the largest independent auto parts distributor in the nation, continues its rapid expansion into new markets with the announcement today that it has acquired all seven locations of Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Automotive Cooling Products Inc. (ACP). The deal with ACP marks the fifth acquisition for 1-800-Radiator this year, and the tenth since December 2006. In the past year, the company's acquisitions have resulted in $46 million in new sales.

ACP, in business since 1980, was a specialty distributor of heating and cooling products for the automotive, light truck, heavy-duty truck, agricultural and industrial industries. It served the Minneapolis, MN, Kansas City, KS, Rock Island, IL, Omaha, NE, and Madison, Appleton and Milwaukee, WI markets. ACP had approximately 80 employees, many of which have been acquired by 1-800-Radiator.

"The acquisition of ACP is in line with our goals for growth and leadership in this industry," says Mike Rippey, CEO of 1-800-Radiator. "We are doubling our acquisition targets of smaller automotive cooling parts shops and are on target to have close to a 25 percent share of the market in 2009, up from 17 percent in 2008."

This year, 1-800-Radiator's rapid growth was recognized by Entrepreneur magazine which named it the 37th fastest-growing franchise in the nation in its Annual Franchise 500(R) rankings. 1-800-Radiator was also listed in the 2008 Inc. 5000. The company also received CIO magazine's prestigious 2008 CIO 100 award for exemplifying the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology.

About 1-800-Radiator
1-800-Radiator is an auto parts distribution franchise and the largest independent parts distributor in the nation with more than 200 franchise locations in the US and Canada, and only 17 remaining franchise locations for sale. 1-800-Radiator sells radiators, condensers, fan assemblies, gas tanks, heating cores, and other new automotive parts at competitive pricing. In almost all cases, it provides same day delivery within a few hours to customers at their businesses or home.

The company's estimated 2008 FY revenue is $171-million. It has 155 corporate employees. To its franchisees, 1-800-Radiator provides state-of-the-art software technology, along with 24-7 support. For more information, go to: http://www.1800radiator.com/.