With its operations merged in 2021 with the American Omega Group, Auto-Kool is being propelled with new energy into the Canadian market.

Auto-Kool was founded in 1992 by the Koolian family in Montreal. From its inception, the distributor specialized in supplying automotive aftermarket shops and networks with replacement parts for automotive cooling and heating systems.

The last three years have been marked by a transition period, during which a new team was put in place. While Auto-Kool has changed ownership, it remains true to its origins and values. The company aims to build on the solid foundation it has developed across Canada over the years.

“The Omega parent company in the U.S. understood that by merging Auto-Kool with its operations, it was acquiring a well-established, specialized distribution company with eight warehouses in Canada and an in-depth knowledge of our market’s specificities,” says Behnam Mehrgani, Vice President of Operations at Auto-Kool. Canadian operations will still be managed from the Montreal office.

Mehrgani has recently joined the company, bringing solid expertise in operations management and quality control, honed at prestigious and demanding companies like the Peugeot Citroën Group and Air France Industries. His mechanical engineering doctorate adds further structure to the distributor’s commercial activities.

Mehrgani sees tremendous growth potential in this situation, where a Canadian company is suddenly supported by a giant. He highlights Omega’s dedicated research and development team, whose sole mission is to ensure Canadian aftermarket repair shops have access to the parts needed to repair entrusted vehicles. By understanding each regional market’s needs in-depth, the company selects the most in-demand and useful parts for independent workshops.

“This development of new parts is constant,” the engineer emphasizes. “We must always look ahead and anticipate market demands. For example, supplying new replacement parts for electric vehicles is one of our targets.”

According to the Vice President of Operations, Auto-Kool’s growth prospect in Canada is substantial. He points out the untapped potential in the West Coast and Greater Toronto areas, which the team will closely examine.

An expanded catalogue

Mark Nasra, whose main mission is to capitalize on this commercial potential, welcomes us to his office. Warm and smiling, he recently became Auto-Kool’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Nasra is a well-known figure in the automotive industry, having worked for several replacement parts manufacturers and distributors over the years. His reputation matches his enthusiasm for his new role.

“I needed new challenges, and this opportunity arose with Auto-Kool. A great company, with a well-established distribution network from coast to coast, whose ownership change marks its entry into a larger family. Our customers will now have access to parts already offered by the parent company in the United States.”

Currently, Auto-Kool’s catalogue features 47 product lines, covering 13,000 parts numbers. In addition to heating and air-conditioning components, the distributor also offers fuel pumps and fuel tanks for light vehicles and heavy duty trucks.

With the acquisition by Omega and its catalogue sharing, the distributor will soon offer precision engine management parts. This includes ignition coils and turbochargers for light and heavy duty vehicles. A whole range of sensors will also gradually be added. Modern vehicles rely on numerous sensors that monitor engine performance or operate advanced driver assistance systems.

Applications for heavy duty vehicles

The new Auto-Kool catalogue also stands out by covering both light duty vehicles and heavy duty trucks, buses, and specialized motorized equipment.

What’s certain is that available and upcoming parts will be new and aim for optimal coverage of all vehicles on Canadian roads. Essential parts like air conditioner compressors or cooling system radiators, for example, already meet the needs of 98 to 99% of vehicles currently on North American roads.

“I’ve also been a shop owner,” recalls Nasra, “and to me, that experience is very valuable in my current role. I know how important it is for installers to have access to a quality part, at a good price, quickly, to complete the job.”

It should be noted that Omega’s team of research engineers is tasked with developing new replacement parts that meet or exceed original specifications. Parts are tested before delivery to ensure their quality and proper functioning.

Thoughtful Growth

Auto-Kool’s distribution network is well-developed, with warehouses spread from British Columbia to Newfoundland. This commercial footprint is supported by representatives or agents who promote products in each market. Nasra also wants to strengthen this network of field representatives, understanding the importance of backing Auto-Kool products with experts.

Another key mission for Mark Nasra will be to sign new agreements with major distributors across Canada. Such agreements already tie the distributor to national partners, and the Vice President plans to expand them.

“We rely on a well-established distribution network that allows us to deliver the requested parts across Canada quickly,” summarizes Nasra. “We’ve built a brand-new team, with members selected for their skills and complementarity. This team is set to grow. With our direct links to Omega’s parent company, we gain access to a multitude of new products that we’ll introduce to our catalogue. We indeed have the expertise to identify which new product families will meet the needs of our independent repair shops.”