Monte Ahuja was what some might call a star student, especially once he left the confines of a college campus.
Graduating from Cleveland State University armed with an MBA and an ambitious business plan for Transtar Industries, Ahuja founded the company in 1975 with encouragement from a professor who was impressed by his vision.
Ahuja had plans to develop a national transmission parts distribution company committed to offering rebuilders parts availability and personal service previously unheard of in the industry.
It didn't take long for Ahuja, now chairman and chief executive officer of the leading worldwide distributor of OE quality transmission parts to the aftermarket motor vehicle-repair industry, and his company to become shining stars. In fact, Ahuja's keen business sense landed Transtar Industries at the No. 1 spot on the first Weatherhead 100 list in 1988 — and the company has had a steady stream of successes ever since.
Transtar began operations with just two people and $42,000 worth of inventory in a 5,000-square-foot warehouse in Walton Hills. From there erupted a 32-year growth spurt. In 1979, the company branched out with Transtar's international division. Over the next five years, the company grew to 150 employees and sales of $5 million. By 1990, through a series of acquisitions and new startup operations, Transtar had grown to $40 million and was beginning to take its place as a leader in the industry, offering the most comprehensive line of products.
The company continued to expand its products and services at every opportunity. In September 2005, Transtar was recapitalized by Linsalata Capital Partners Fund V LP. In October 2006, Transtar acquired APD Transmission Parts, an Atlanta-based supplier of automatic transmission parts and standard clutches for passenger cars and light trucks, enhancing its distribution in the southeastern United States. The recent acquisition of Axiom Automotive Technologies, announced on May 1, 2007, essentially doubled the size of the company.
"Axiom's commitment to product quality and customer service fits well with the Transtar culture," Ahuja says. "This transaction has dramatically accelerated the growth of Transtar to the benefit of our customers, employees and the transmission repair industry."
Despite its incredible growth, Transtar's more than 1,600 employees have continued to offer best-in-class distribution with same-day delivery to 90 percent of the top markets in the United States, as well as all major metro areas in Canada.
"We've always understood that our customers' reputations are at stake every time they have a customer come in for repairs," Ahuja says. "Our philosophy has always been to do whatever's necessary to make sure shop owners have the right parts, right when they're needed, to make repairs the right way. When our customers get a part from Transtar, we want them to know that part is going to work ... and we stand behind it."