In 1928 Everett
Ridge established The Ridge Company in Manitowoc, Wisconsin shortly after experiencing
car problems while on his honeymoon. The first store began in a small building with wood and block shelves
filled with mostly empty shoe boxes but lots of promise. Everett would make sales calls throughout the day on the local garages
then order the parts from manufacturers in Chicago for delivery the next day.
The business grew.
By
1950 the Ridge Company had grown to 33 stores spread across the Midwest. It was in the early 50's that Everett, because
of failing health, began selling the stores to many of his store managers. One of those managers was Howard Goodhew, who had
joined Ridge while still in high school in 1939 and along with corporate headquarters, later relocated to South Bend, Indiana.
In 1953, Howard purchased six Ridge Auto Parts stores in the Michiana area which included the main store.
Today, Howard's sons, Jim serves as President and Mark
as Vice President. The Ridge Company has
experienced many changes over
the years and presently owns and operates 15 Ridge NAPA Auto Parts stores,
3 automotive machine shops and a separate paint division which distributes DuPont Performance coatings
through 5 of their locations.
The Ridge Company became affiliated in 2002 with NAPA Auto Parts and has quickly risen to be one
of the
largest volume NAPA jobbers in the country and a multiple winner
of NAPA's prestigious 5 Star of Excellence program. Ridge is also the only recognized DuPont Champion Distributor in the
markets they serve.
But the
key to Ridge's success has always been it's People. The
company prides itself in having knowledgeable People who strive
to provide outstanding service and quality products, backed by an extensive inventory, overnight availability and industry
leading programs. The efforts by our People have cultivated strong
relationships with
many long time retail and professional customers.
To our many customers, Thanks! To those who are not yet customers, we look forward to the opportunity to
show you why you should be.
