HISTORY

The historic roots of Tri-States Automotive Warehouse, Inc. began to grow in July 1946, when Fred and Mary Henson purchased an existing parts store and established Marianna Auto Parts and Supply in Marianna, Florida.

The untimely death of Mr. Henson in 1958 was a great shock and loss to the Company. With the help of loyal employees, Mary Henson successfully ran the Company until her marriage to Jim Rule of Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1959.

Jim brought sales and management expertise that lead to the expansion of the business. Within a few years, the Company had grown to four stores. Recognizing the need for a closer supply of auto parts to service the stores, Tri-States Automotive Warehouse was founded in July 1970.

Initially, Tri-States Automotive occuppied a 6,700 square foot building behind the original Service Auto Parts Store. The Company rapidly outgrew the facility and moved to a 40,000 square foot warehouse at its present location in 1974. Expanding to meet growing demands, the Company established a 20,000 square foot warehouse in Tallahassee in 1988, and increased Marianna ’s warehouse space to over 100,000 square feet.

In 1982, Ronald and Cathie Stevens and Walter and Elizabeth (Libby) Spence purchased Marianna Auto Parts, Inc. and Tri-States Automotive Warehouse, Inc. Cathie and Libby are the daughters of founders Fred and Mary Henson. Libby’s husband, Walter, serves as President of Tri-States Automotive Warehouse, while Cathie ’s husband, Ronald, serves as President of Marianna Auto Parts.