History

John's Auto Parts is the largest retail automotive recycler in the Midwest. There has been some sort of auto salvage business at this location since the late 1940's or early 1950's. Harry's father, John Haluptzok, purchased it in 1961 and it became John's Auto Parts. Harry purchased the business from his father in 1973 and kept the name.

Harry was proud to serve on the Executive Board of Minnesota Auto & Truck Salvage Dealer Association (MATSDA) from 1976 until the mid 1990’s. He served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and as President in 1981 and 1982. MATSDA later changed its name to ARM, for which Harry continued to serve as a Director for many years.

After completing his service on the state level, Harry was chairman of the Environmental Committee of ARA, where he was awarded the ARA “Man of the Year Award” for his work to educate dismantlers about the radical changes necessary to continue to operate as increased environmental awareness increased the regulation and requirements affecting automotive recyclers. Harry was then invited to become an officer of ARA, the international association for automotive recyclers. He served in all the officer positions, culminating with the Presidency in 1993/94. He continues to serve as a member of the ARA Board of Directors.

During 2004, John’s Auto Parts received the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year award for 2004. John’s Auto Parts is a long-time Chamber member. In 2008, John's Auto was recognized by Anoka County for their Environmental and Recycling efforts.

John’s Auto Parts “specializes” in foreign and domestic automobiles, vans and light trucks, predominately the past 10 years of model years, but offers to help our customers find parts for any make, model or year. John’s offers many special services for our retail and wholesale customers including our:

• Tire Shop – offering new and used tires, mounting and balancing
• Glass Shop – offering new and used auto glass and installation on site and with our mobile van
• Service Department – offering installation of most parts and repair service
• New Parts Department – with a Parts City Auto Parts store
• 90-Day Warranty – with extended warranties available for purchase
• In Town Same Day Delivery – with full time drivers covering all parts of the metro out to a 50 mile radius from John’s

John’s covers 19 acres in Blaine, and it’s size and prime location with easy access has always contributed to its success. Now, the area surrounding John‘s is becoming a retail shopping area, bringing even more retail customers to our door.

I n 1973, there was one 20’ x 40’ cement block building with a leaky roof and no indoor plumbing. Now, there are three buildings on the complex, one built in 1978 now houses the wholesale sales department, personnel and executive offices, the service department and some warehouse space. A second building built in 1983 houses the retail store, glass and tire departments, business offices, and additional warehouse space. Another building was built in 1998, is a state of the art dismantling building, housing 12 dismantling bays, an in-house service area for company vehicles and the inventory department. This building processes over 3000 vehicles each year. Our latest addition was completed in 2004 which includes 23 bays for service, glass installation, inventory, and maintenance. With this addition, we now have over 80,000 square feet of inventory space.  In 2006, we added one acre on the west side of our existing yard bringing us to 19 acres.

While John’s prides itself on having most parts taken off the vehicles, cleaned, tested and inventoried for quick customer service, we still have several acres of the site accessible to customers who want to pick their own parts, mostly small parts, trim and trinkets.

Harry and his staff continue to enjoy the challenges of auto recycling and of being a respected part of the business community. Keeping up with environmental regulations, employment law issues, marketing used parts to today’s consumers, and fitting in to a growing and changing community are all issues which need to be addressed The relationship building that goes on in these kinds of organizations is also a plus for those who choose to be involved.

We need to continue to be our eyes, ears and voice with state and federal regulators and legislators, to continue to educate the membership through their newsletters and conventions, and continue to provide opportunities for recyclers to come together as a group with common interests and goals.

Now, John's Auto Parts has a Web Site, our customers can order parts using the internet. Harry Haluptzok,CEO/President of John's Auto Parts, explains, "We see the internet as a tool for the customer. To place an order or inquiry from the home or office and have the part delivered to your door step, confident you have a quality new or used part, ready to install. This is our future."

We hope you try our on-line ordering form. We have a staff of automotive and computer savvy professionals to fill your order and answer your questions. And as always, drive safely, we want to see you again!

Harry Haluptzok, President/CEO