From sub-zero axles to supply-chain certainty, GSP’s cradle-to-grave approach is reshaping how Canadian distributors and shops think about undercar reliability.

When winter tightens its grip on Canada, it doesn’t just test drivers—it tests every component beneath the vehicle. CV axles crack, grease stiffens, boots fail, and supply chains strain under seasonal demand. For undercar professionals, those realities are non-negotiable. Products either perform in extreme conditions, or they don’t. Inventory is either on the shelf, or bays sit idle.

It’s against that backdrop that GSP North America has built one of the strongest undercar propositions in the Canadian aftermarket—one rooted not just in parts, but in engineering control, logistics discipline, and a deep respect for how Canadians actually use their vehicles.

“GSP has developed products that are driven by the needs of the Canadian market,” says Michael Ceritano, COO of GSP North America.

Engineering for -40°C
Canada’s climate isn’t forgiving, and GSP doesn’t pretend otherwise. One of the clearest examples of the company’s Canada-first approach is its XD line of CV axles, developed specifically to survive extreme cold.

Born out of direct feedback from customers working in extreme conditions—particularly oil sands operations—the XD line addresses a serious issue: grease freezing at -30°C to -40°C, blowing boots and prematurely killing axles.

GSP’s response wasn’t incremental. Their XD axles use upgraded neoprene, cold-weather-resistant grease, and heavy-duty clamps engineered and tested to remain functional down to -50°C. The result? A CV axle that keeps working when winter stops everything else.

Today, the XD line is GSP’s top-selling CV axle range in Canada—a data point that underscores how closely the company listens to real-world installer experience, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach to market.

Partner support built for the Canadian market
GSP’s partner success starts with local support and a deep understanding of regional needs. The commitment to the Canadian aftermarket goes beyond product availability. It’s about delivering the tools, resources, and expertise GSP’s partners need to compete and grow with confidence.

From application-specific product development engineered for Canadian driving conditions to localized inventory strategies, GSP’s customers have access to the right solutions, when and where they’re needed. That support extends into market-ready sales and marketing resources designed to help partners educate installers, drive demand, and reduce friction at the counter

“Our focus in Canada is simple. We make it easier for our partners to do business,” says Tom DiPippo, Director of Sales – Traditional WD, North America for GSP. “That means reliable product coverage, strong local support, and marketing tools that help our partners sell with confidence.”

Manufacturer control—why it matters
In an era where some aftermarket brands are effectively packaging companies—sourcing from whichever factory can hit a price point—GSP stands apart.

The company owns its tooling, controls its production capacity, and manages quality from design to distribution. That “cradle-to-grave” model covers the entire 4P framework: product, price, promotion, and place.

For Canadian distributors, the benefits are tangible:

• Consistent quality, because GSP controls materials, testing, and validation.
• Faster response to market needs, without waiting on third-party factories.
• Capacity certainty, even during periods of rapid growth or industry disruption.

“We own the capacity, and it’s for us only,” Ceritano says. “So we are planning our capacity years in advance, and making sure our plants can handle the growth in North America, and around the world.

The company plans years ahead, aligning people, inventory, and ocean freight so fill rates remain consistently above 90–95%. “We can react to market changes quickly,” Ceritano adds, “because we don’t have to communicate our needs with another party to get it done. Everything is done internally.”

He adds: “When demand increases, we’re not waiting in line behind four other marketers. We increase our own capacity.”

Diversified manufacturing in a tariff-sensitive world
While Canada remains relatively insulated from some global tariff pressures, North American supply chains are anything but static. GSP has responded by diversifying its manufacturing footprint well beyond their original facilities.

In addition to their long-established plants in China, GSP now operates five facilities in Malaysia, with significant ongoing investment to expand automation and capacity. This diversification allows the company to support distributors navigating U.S. and Mexico tariff challenges while maintaining supply continuity across North America.

Long term, GSP’s strategy is clear: Build enough global flexibility that geopolitical shifts don’t interrupt service to customers.

One undercar source; complete coverage
GSP’s vision is straightforward: to be a global leader in high-quality undercar products—and to do so without forcing distributors or shops to juggle multiple suppliers.

GSP has developed products that are driven by the needs of the Canadian market. – Michael Ceritano, COO, GSP North America

The company’s portfolio spans CV axles, hub assemblies, steering, and suspension components, all developed in-house using OE samples and OE-driven cataloguing. Every SKU is tied directly to original equipment interchange data, ensuring accuracy and breadth.

A major catalogue overhaul several years ago exemplifies this approach. By aligning every part number to OE interchange, GSP expanded its effective coverage by roughly 30%—without adding new SKUs.

For distributors, that means fewer gaps. For technicians, it means faster part identification, whether starting from an OE number or an aftermarket application.

Making life easier in the bay
GSP understands that even the best parts fail if they’re misunderstood or not installed properly. That’s why the company has invested in scalable digital support through their GSP Garage Support Program.

Accessible online with simple registration, the platform offers installation guides, product overviews, and step-by-step videos technicians can pull up on a phone or tablet—right at the vehicle.

Complementing that digital support is something increasingly rare in today’s industry: live technical help. GSP operates staffed technical support lines—real people, not AI or endless recordings—who assist with installation questions and capture feedback from the field.

That feedback loop feeds directly back into product development and corrective action, allowing GSP to spot trends and address issues quickly.

Keeping the wrenches turning
Ask any shop owner what matters most, and the answer is simple: parts on the shelf.

GSP treats fill rates as a core performance metric, not a footnote. Under normal conditions, the company targets 95% (and above) availability, supported by a disciplined inventory strategy. “We keep a minimum of three months of product on the shelves at the SKU level,” Ceritano says. “And we have a minimum of three months on the water at all times.”

During periods like Chinese New Year, when production slows, that buffer expands to as much as five months of supply.

The philosophy is pragmatic. If distributors don’t have parts, technicians can’t turn wrenches. If technicians can’t turn wrenches, everyone loses.

A 40-year story
Founded 40 years ago in China—originally to supply hard-to-find parts for Fiat taxi cabs—GSP has grown into a multinational organization generating more than $600+ million in annual revenue, serving customers in 120 countries.

The company went public in 2021, is currently trading on the Shanghai Exchange, and their leadership is committed to reinvesting in the company, doubling down on automation, capacity, and long-term growth.

GSP has been active in Canada for approximately 15 years and currently works with a broad network of distributors, including GSP-branded partners such as Uni-Select and Lordco, alongside major private-label relationships across the country.

All GSP undercar products are backed by limited lifetime warranties—another signal of confidence in engineering and manufacturing discipline.

A brand you can trust
The message GSP wants to get across to distributors, shop owners and automotive technicians can be summed up in a single word: confidence.

Confidence that the parts will survive Canadian winters. Confidence that inventory will be there when needed. Confidence that GSP stands behind their products, listens to feedback, and controls its own destiny.

In a market where undercar components are pushed harder than ever—by climate, by vehicle weight, by customer expectations—GSP’s message is refreshingly grounded.

They don’t chase trends outside their wheelhouse. They focus on undercar, and they engineer their products to thrive in the extremes of our Great White North.