Spartanburg, SC – March 5, 2024 – GSP North America, a leading manufacturer and distributor in the global automotive aftermarket, is proud to announce that it has received the 2024 “Vendor of the Year” award from AutoZone Mexico for the second year in a row. This marks the first time in AutoZone Mexico's history that a vendor has won the award consecutively.

“There is no greater feeling than being recognized by your customers for outstanding service and commitment,” said Michael Ceritano, COO of GSPNA. “I am incredibly proud of my team and humbled to be selected as ‘Vendor of the Year’ by AutoZone Mexico for the second time. This award embodies GSP's dedication to our core values as we strive for ‘flawless execution.’”

“This award is a direct result of the hard work and dedication the entire GSP team puts in every day,” said Jason Riley, Director of Key Accounts. “I may have been the one to accept the award, but we couldn't have achieved this recognition without their contributions. This is a win for the entire GSP family.”

GSP is honored to celebrate this accomplishment and grateful for receiving this prestigious award. It serves as a clear testament to GSP's unwavering commitment and support to AutoZone and its customers. The company looks forward to continued growth and success in its partnership with AutoZone Mexico.

AutoZone Mexico Recognizes GSP's Continued Investment and Growth

Prior to announcing the winner, Claudia Decanini, VP of Merchandising at AutoZone Mexico, highlighted the story of the vendor who rose to the challenge of managing the company's ever-growing business in Mexico. Last year, Decanini challenged vendors to increase their investment and resources to ensure the continued growth of the partnership.

“This vendor significantly increased their resources by adding five additional team members, demonstrating a strong commitment to providing best-in-class service to our customers,” Decanini said. “What was once managed by a single Expert Executive for AutoZone Mexico has transformed into an efficient team overseen by a dedicated professional responsible for AutoZone Global, covering the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The team has expanded to include two catalog specialists, two training specialists, and one product development manager specifically for Mexico. Additionally, they established a robust customer service infrastructure at the local warehouse. This substantial increase in resources dedicated to AutoZone Mexico over the past three years exemplifies the shared vision of growth and the joint commitment to investment. As a result, we've seen positive outcomes, including greater parts availability, the capacity to collect OEM samples, and the implementation of initiatives like reverse engineering, which has allowed them to develop coverage for new part types for AutoZone, ultimately increasing overall coverage.”

GSP's Winning Strategies

GSP secured the “Vendor of the Year” award through strategic team expansion, enhanced market intelligence via price shops, and valuable sales tools provided to the AutoZone commercial team. Furthermore, the company's increased agility in adapting to AutoZone's processes has significantly contributed to their operational efficiency.

About the AutoZone FY23 Vendor Summit

The AutoZone FY23 Vendor Summit took place in Playa Mujeres, Mexico. Suppliers gathered to celebrate achievements and were recognized by AutoZone Mexico for their contributions in various categories, including quality, innovation, cataloging, and sales. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the prestigious “Vendor of the Year” award, which was presented to GSP North America.