Advance Auto Parts Recognizes OSRAM Sylvania as 2025 Vendor Partner of the Year
1. Celebrating Strategic Partnerships at the "Accelerate" Event
On January 9, 2026, Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE: AAP), a premier provider of automotive aftermarket parts in North America, awarded OSRAM Sylvania Inc. the prestigious title of 2025 Vendor Partner of the Year. This accolade was presented during the company's annual vendor appreciation and field leader kickoff event, known as "Accelerate," held in Orlando, Florida. The event serves as a platform to acknowledge key vendors who have significantly influenced the business and its customer relations.
2. Highlights from the Vendor of the Year Ceremony
Bruce Starnes, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchant at Advance Auto Parts, praised OSRAM Sylvania for their exceptional collaboration throughout the year. “OSRAM Sylvania has been an exceptional partner to Advance Auto Parts in 2025, in part because of their strong collaboration with our stores, supply chain, inventory, marketing, and merchandising teams,” he stated. Starnes emphasized the importance of a collaborative spirit, noting that OSRAM's proactive approach has enabled Advance to efficiently serve its customers. He expressed optimism for continued growth in their partnership for 2026.
3. Other Notable Recognitions
In addition to the Vendor of the Year award, several other vendors were recognized for their outstanding contributions in various categories:
- Pro Vendor of the Year – GSP: Acknowledged for prioritizing customer satisfaction and fostering cross-functional collaborations that bolstered Advance's business.
- DIY Vendor of the Year – Valvoline Global: Honored for driving business growth through innovative products and actionable insights in category management.
- Vendor Rep of the Year – Tasco: Celebrated for their exceptional commitment to collaboration, Tasco has played a pivotal role in strengthening its relationship with Advance.
- Visionary Vendor of the Year – Winhere Brakes: Recognized for their dedication to delivering high-quality, reliable products while supporting Advance's business initiatives.
- Supply Chain Vendor of the Year & Inventory Vendor of the Year – GRI Engineering: This dual recognition highlights GRI's excellence in operational performance and service-level expectations.
- Inventory Vendor of the Year – Amalie: Praised for their adaptability and seamless logistics in supporting Advance's inventory needs.
- E-Commerce Vendor of the Year – Premium Guard: Acknowledged for their commitment to ensuring excellent digital content and communication throughout the year.
- Content Vendors of the Year – Motorad and Josco: Their collaboration and focus on quality content significantly enhanced Advance's customer engagement.
- Marketing Vendor of the Year – GlueIQ: Recognized for their strategic vision and creative execution, driving transformative growth for Advance's brand across various channels.
4. About Advance Auto Parts
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. operates a vast network of 4,297 stores primarily across the United States, complemented by locations in Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The company also supports 814 independently owned Carquest branded stores in these regions, as well as in Mexico and the Caribbean. With a commitment to serving both professional installers and DIY customers, Advance continues to be a leader in the automotive aftermarket parts industry.
As the company looks ahead, it remains focused on enhancing its partnerships and delivering superior service to its customers, ensuring that they remain a trusted name in the automotive parts sector.
