Page 20 - CFESA Magazine Sept - Oct 2017

Company Spotlight: Parts Town

COMPANY by Steve Snower, CEO
SPOTLIGHT

I remember my first CFESA conference. It was shortly after I joined
Parts Town in 2004. I was new to the industry and I literally didn’t know
a single person at the conference. As someone with limited social skills,
I was way out of my league. I remember being struck by how well ev-
eryone knew everyone else and by how much energy there was in the
room.

I came to Parts Town from the electronic component distribution in-
dustry, where there was very little social interaction and collaboration
among companies. The CFESA conference was a stark contrast and
like nothing I had ever seen before. There were genuine friendships in
the room, even among leaders of companies that I later learned were
direct competitors. Honestly, I felt pretty uncomfortable as an “outsid-
er.” I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it, but it was certainly unique
and memorable. I remember wanting to fit in, but not being sure how
(or even if) I could.

Parts Town markets and distributes genuine OEM parts, primarily to field service companies in the
United States and around the world. Over the past 14 years, Parts Town has grown dramatically
through an absolute commitment to genuine OEM parts, investing in extraordinary inventory availability,
a friendly customer experience, same day shipping, and unique technology to simplify the parts iden-
tification and purchasing process. We are headquartered in Addison, Illinois, about 25 minutes west of
downtown Chicago. We focus on developing deep partnerships with manufacturers and customers to
provide fast, easy access to OEM parts so customers can complete repairs as well as keep equipment
safe and properly working.

We have a unique culture that is centered on our core values of integrity, passion, courage, and inno-
vation. We thrive on change and are always looking for the next breakthrough innovation to bring to the
market. We’re always trying to find ways to partner more effectively with the industry’s manufacturers
and service providers to help them grow. We are always challenging our team members to propose
new ideas, have the courage to think BIG, and to dare to be different. Our business has changed
dramatically over the years. But, as our company has grown and changed, certain things remain con-
stant—notably our commitment to safety, to our core values, and a relentless desire to achieve our full
potential.

I have now been to CFESA conferences (and other CFESA related events) for 14 years. Along the way
I built a deep love for this industry and an extraordinary level of respect for the field service entrepre-
neurs and leaders who make this industry special. This is an industry defined by a group of genuine,

20 CFESA Magazine SEPT / OCT 2017 www.cfesa.com