4Wheel Drive Hardware Company History

Established in 1977, 4 Wheel Drive Hardware (4WD) is the leading mail order and Internet distributor of Jeep parts and accessories. As a division of Transamerican Auto Parts, 4WD is headquartered in Columbiana, Ohio.

In January of 1977, Tom Kennedy, the founder of 4WD, conceived the idea for his company out of his own need for Jeep parts and accessories. Tom was a "jeeper" himself and frequently needed quality replacement Jeep parts that were often hard to find. His search for good suppliers resulted in the creation of 4WD. Born out of what started in his two-car garage more than 30 years ago, 4 Wheel Drive Hardware continues to service the "jeepers" of the world, in the spirit Tom was inspired by many years ago!

In 2006, 4WD was acquired by Transamerican Auto Parts Company, LLC. A company created much the same way 4WD was, by George Adler some 55 years ago in his own small garage. Today, George's son Greg Adler carries on the tradition at TAP LLC. In the years since then, Transamerican Auto Parts has become one of the largest automotive aftermarket parts and accessories companies in the country. With divisions like: 4 Wheel Parts Performance Centers, The Manufacturing Group, Dealer Services International and Transamerican Wholesalers.

4 Wheel Drive Hardware prides itself in providing innovative and unique parts, from vendors and manufacturers across the world, directly to our customers. We are committed to deliver the best service from our sales and customer service center located in Ohio. 4Wheel Drive Hardware continues to be at the front of the Jeep aftermarket world, because that's who we are, "jeepers helping other jeepers".

As 4 Wheel Drive Hardware moves into this new century, we find ourselves reaching out to new markets through Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and other social media outlets. As the needs of our customers have changed from mostly Mail-order based to Web and mobile, we find ourselves changing to meet those needs too. But one thing we will never forget is our customers. YOU make us everything we are and to that we are very grateful to each and every one of you "jeepers" out there!

Polaris is unwinding a $665 million acquisition it made in 2016 under its previous chief executive. Now, the Medina-based company said it will sell the Transamerican Auto Parts (TAP) business for only $50 million net of cash, debt and other costs.

The company said the retail operation did not fit into its core business.

"We have a clear vision to be the global leader in powersports," said Mike Speetzen, Polaris' chief executive, in a news release. "Our decision to divest TAP better positions us to capitalize on growing consumer interest and demand for our powersports offerings."

TAP is an omnichannel retailer of aftermarket parts and accessories for Jeep and other off-road four-wheel vehicles that has been in business since 1961. The deal with Colorado-based Wheel Pros will include all of TAP's brands, product lines, manufacturing operations and distribution facilities, the company said in a Thursday filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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The deal also includes more than 100 4 Wheel Parts retail locations. TAP's 1,700 employees also will move to Wheel Pros.

Polaris purchased TAP under previous CEO Scott Wine for $665 million to boost its aftermarket parts and accessories business while moving into the retail business for the first time.

Wheel Pros is a designer, maker and distributor of aftermarket wheels that is backed by the private-investment firm Clearlake Capital.

The deal is expected to close in the third quarter and is estimated to provide Polaris with $135 million in additional cash in the second half of the year from the purchase price and cash tax benefits related to the deal. "It supports our long-term financial targets and is expected to have a positive impact on the EBITDA [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization] margin," Speetzen also noted.

TAP was a part of Polaris' Aftermarkets segment that generated $930 million in revenue in 2021, with TAP contributing nearly $760 million.

Sales for Aftermarkets in the first quarter were down 5% to $218 million, with TAP down almost 9% "due to lower availability of new used SUVs and trucks for consumers to upfit," said Bob Mack, the company's chief financial officer, in Polaris' quarterly conference call.

Polaris has made other divestitures in the last two years in order to concentrate on its core powersports businesses. In October, it announced it would divest the Global Electric Motorcar (GEM) and Taylor-Dunn businesses eventually, selling those to former Polaris executives who formed a new company called Waev Inc.

In 2020, it stopped making certain Rinker, Striper and Larson FX boats in order to concentrate on core brands within its marine business.

Correction: Previous versions of this story misstated the acquisition price in the headline.