Beginnings
In April 1973, Tom Glaser established Burlington Foreign Car Parts (BFCP), starting with a van and a collection of Volkswagen parts. BFCP began as a family-run business, with Tom handling deliveries and his wife, Jill, managing the financial records. Tom prioritized reliability, maintaining consistent weekly routes so his clients knew precisely when to expect their parts deliveries. As the demand for Volkswagen specialists grew, BFCP’s inventory expanded accordingly. Eventually, as the delivery van became insufficient, Tom and Jill transformed spare rooms in their home and garage into BFCP’s initial storage facility.
Milestones of Growth
1979 marked a significant step for BFCP with the opening of its first physical store in Shelburne, Vermont. This 4,500 square foot location allowed BFCP to broaden its inventory to include a wider array of European auto parts, as well as the increasingly popular Japanese car parts. It was during this period that the first retail counter was established, and “Hotshot Deliveries,” offering local, on-demand delivery services, became a standard part of BFCP’s operations.
Alt text: BFCP Shelburne Vermont store front showcasing a range of bfcp car parts available for European and Japanese vehicles.
Further expansion came in 1984 with an additional 6,000 square feet of warehouse space. BFCP quickly earned a reputation as the go-to source for hard-to-find auto parts, becoming a key supplier for specialized repair shops and individual car enthusiasts alike.
In 1986, BFCP extended its reach by opening a second store in South Burlington, VT. This new location featured another retail counter, enhancing BFCP’s ability to serve customers in the greater Burlington area and providing more convenient access to Bfcp Car Parts.
Alt text: Interior view of BFCP South Burlington store, highlighting organized shelves stocked with various bfcp car parts and a customer service counter.
By 1990, recognizing the evolving needs of the market, BFCP broadened its product line to include parts for domestic vehicles. This expansion made BFCP a more comprehensive source for auto parts, catering to a wider range of car makes and models.
The year 1995 was pivotal, with the addition of a store in White River Junction, VT. This strategic location extended BFCP’s local and daily delivery services into New Hampshire and Southern Vermont, further solidifying its regional presence as a leading bfcp car parts distributor. Also in 1995, BFCP joined the Independent Warehouse Distributor (IWD) network. This membership significantly increased BFCP’s purchasing power, enabling more competitive pricing and better value for customers seeking bfcp car parts.
In 2000, a new warehouse in Berlin, VT, was established to provide rapid “hotshot” delivery services to the Barre-Montpelier region. This expansion demonstrated BFCP’s commitment to quick and efficient service for its customers in central Vermont.
Alt text: BFCP delivery van on a Vermont road, symbolizing reliable and timely delivery of bfcp car parts across the region.
2002 saw the opening of a warehouse in Rutland, VT. This location significantly improved BFCP’s service capabilities in Central and Southern Vermont, offering hotshot deliveries to the local Rutland area and ensuring better access to bfcp car parts for customers in these regions. November of 2002 marked a major acquisition as the Glaser family purchased Plattsburgh Motor Service (PMS). PMS, a well-established domestic parts distributor and Dupont automotive paint distributor for the Northeast New York region, operated from a substantial 40,000+ square foot warehouse with a storefront in Plattsburgh, NY.
In 2004, BFCP became a member of S.I.P.S. (Society of Import Parts Specialists). This affiliation has been invaluable, providing opportunities to share knowledge and best practices with fellow import specialists nationwide, enhancing BFCP’s expertise in bfcp car parts.
BFCP & PMS: Synergistic Partnership
Today, BFCP and PMS operate in collaboration, leveraging their combined resources. PMS now stocks an extensive range of import parts, while BFCP has significantly enhanced its capabilities in providing domestic car parts. This synergy makes the combined operation a powerhouse in automotive parts distribution.
Alt text: Aerial view of BFCP and PMS combined warehouse operations, illustrating the scale and capacity for distributing bfcp car parts.
Spring 2006 was a period of considerable progress for BFCP. Improvements were made to the main warehouse in Shelburne, a new store was established in Concord, New Hampshire, and a transition to the APA buying group was completed. Early 2007 brought further expansion with the opening of two additional BFCP locations. A store in Essex Junction opened in January, further improving customer service in and around Burlington, VT. In April, a new territory was established with the opening of a Manchester, NH location. These expansions extended BFCP’s service area throughout New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont, making it even more accessible and customer-focused for all bfcp car parts needs.
