COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 5531

Automobile & Home Supply Stores

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

20companies1883–1981founding years20still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedThe Boots Company PLCFoundedThe Boots Company PLC
1883
FoundedThe Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyFoundedThe Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
1898
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedPACCAR Inc.FoundedPACCAR Inc.
1924
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedO'Reilly Automotive, Inc.FoundedO'Reilly Automotive, Inc.
1957
FoundedTreadco, Inc.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedDart Group CorporationFoundedDart Group Corporation
1960
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
FoundedDiscount Auto Parts, Inc.FoundedDiscount Auto Parts, Inc.
1972
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
FoundedGIB GroupFoundedGIB Group
1974
FoundedMel Farr Automotive GroupFoundedMel Farr Automotive Group
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
FoundedRepublic Industries, Inc.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1994
TechnologyE-commerce begins to disrupt retail.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

The Boots Company PLC →
Active · founded 1883 · United Kingdom
The Boots Company PLC is one of the leading retailers in the United Kingdom, in addition to being a major manufacturer…
The Boots Company PLC →
Active · founded 1883 · United Kingdom
The Boots Company PLC is one of the leading retailers in the United Kingdom, in addition to being a major manufacturer…
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company →
Active · founded 1898
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (Goodyear) is a major manufacturer, distributor, and seller of tires worldwide and…
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company →
Active · founded 1898
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (Goodyear) is a major manufacturer, distributor, and seller of tires worldwide and…
PACCAR Inc. →
Active · founded 1924
As the second largest medium and heavy truck manufacturer in the world, PACCAR Inc.
PACCAR Inc. →
Active · founded 1924
As the second largest medium and heavy truck manufacturer in the world, PACCAR Inc.
O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. →
Active · founded 1957
O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.
O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. →
Active · founded 1957
O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.
Treadco, Inc. →
Active · founded 1958
Treadco, Inc.
Treadco, Inc. →
Active · founded 1958
Treadco, Inc.
Dart Group Corporation →
Active · founded 1960
Dart Group Corporation, a pioneer in discount marketing and in the concept of "superstores," is a holding company for…
Dart Group Corporation →
Active · founded 1960
Dart Group Corporation, a pioneer in discount marketing and in the concept of "superstores," is a holding company for…
Discount Auto Parts, Inc. →
Active · founded 1972
Discount Auto Parts, Inc.
Discount Auto Parts, Inc. →
Active · founded 1972
Discount Auto Parts, Inc.
GIB Group →
Active · founded 1974 · Belgium
GIB Group, Belgium's top retailer, is active in four sectors: supermarkets and hypermarkets; do-it-yourself (DIY) home…
GIB Group →
Active · founded 1974 · Belgium
GIB Group, Belgium's top retailer, is active in four sectors: supermarkets and hypermarkets; do-it-yourself (DIY) home…
Mel Farr Automotive Group →
Active · founded 1975
When it comes to auto dealerships in and around the Motor City, the name Mel Farr is ubiquitous.
Mel Farr Automotive Group →
Active · founded 1975
When it comes to auto dealerships in and around the Motor City, the name Mel Farr is ubiquitous.
Republic Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1981
Until H.
Republic Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1981
Until H.
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