National Auto Parts name to be dropped

Derbyshire-based brake and clutch supplier National Auto Parts is to be re-named MJA Automotive.

The move ties it in with parent company MJ Allen Group’s other engineering businesses and it is part of a group-wide rebranding process, which will start from the beginning of February.

National Autoparts branding is to be dropped from next month

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NAP was founded in the late 1970s as Barton National Autoparts, although most of the products were sold under what would now be called private label for a number of different retailers. It was later taken over by entrepreneur Richard Hartley and became the main supplier to Hartley’s Motorist’s Discount Centre chain. Hartley’s empire ran into difficulties in 1984 and Barton National Autoparts was taken over by the current owner, MJ Allen Group.

Former Marketing Director Les Kershaw was promoted to MD in June 2021 and in October Wayne Hodgkisson joined as Commercial Director. Hodgkisson is best known in the aftermarket for his years at Autostores and the PDP buying group.