ARI Network Services acquires Tasco

April 28, 2015

ARI Network Services Inc. has acquired the assets of tire and wheel aftermarket software provider Tasco Corp. and its affiliated company Signal Extraprise Corp. (collectively Tasco).

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Tasco's business management software suite is designed for retailers, repair centers, wholesalers, distributors and re-manufacturers in the automotive tire and wheel aftermarket.

"The acquisition of Tasco consolidates two industry-leading business management software platforms, cementing our position as the most complete technology provider in the automotive tire and wheel aftermarket," says Barry Reese, vice president and general manager of TCS Technologies, an ARI company.

"This will not only result in an immediate increase in market share, but will serve as a catalyst for growth, allowing our current customers and prospects in the automotive tire and wheel vertical to benefit from our expanded product portfolio."

Tasco has served the automotive tire and wheel aftermarket since 1992 with its flagship business management software, TireWorks HD, which integrates with Tasco's TireTrader and TireDataCentral, as well as other leading aftermarket-specific information and service providers.

Tasco additionally serves the tire re-manufacturing market with its TireTracker retread management software and tire wholesalers with its TireWorks Wholesale business management system.

Tasco's technology tools are used by more than 380 locations in the U.S. and Canada and will join ARI's suite of automotive tire and wheel aftermarket technology solutions sold under the "TCS Technologies, an ARI Company" brand name.

Tasco will continue operations out of its headquarters located in Wexford, Pa., and Tasco CEO Aidan McKenna will assume the role of executive director – TireWorks, TCS Technologies, an ARI Company.

"At Tasco, our mission is to develop, deploy and support information systems that contribute to the growth and profitability of tire dealers and automotive service centers," says McKenna.

"By coming together with ARI, we will continue to fulfill on that mission. In addition, we will immediately be able to provide a much wider range of complete technology solutions for enterprises of any size – from a single-location tire dealer to a large-scale tire re-manufacturing operation – solidifying ARI's position as the leading automotive tire and wheel technology provider."

ARI President and CEO Roy Olivier says the acquisition demonstrates ARI’s continued commitment to create shareholder value through a combined strategy of organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

ARI provides software tools and marketing services to help dealers, equipment manufacturers and distributors in selected vertical markets increase in-store and online sales. The company says its technology removes the complexity of selling and servicing new and used vehicle inventory, parts, garments and accessories for customers in the automotive tire and wheel aftermarket, powersports, outdoor power equipment, marine, home medical equipment, recreational vehicles and appliance industries.

For more information about the company, visit www.investor.arinet.com.

ARI purchased TCS Technologies in October 2014.