Car Spares Factors (CSF) was established in 1977 in Highbury from a small shop. The business was called Alpha Automotive Spares.

Over the next five years, the business bought the adjoining properties to create a 10,000 sq. ft. premises and, in 1986, extended again to add new warehouse space. By this time, the business was the leading car spares supplier in North London.

In 1988, they became one of the first parts suppliers in the area to offer free delivery, and within two years, with five vans on the road, making local deliveries.

Their business growth has been a combination of acquisition and organic growth, acquiring a number of companies over the years:

  • Car Spares Finchley in 1992
  • John Michael Car Spares in 1996
  • AK Motor Spares in 1997
  • Saxons Motor Factors in 2023

Alongside these acquisitions, they invested heavily in warehouse and office space, vehicle fleets and staff to help meet increased demand. This included combining some of their earlier shops into single, larger spaces so that they could hold more stock and service customers faster.

They were also early investors in technology, and automated all their stock control, invoicing and accounting systems in 2003 so that they could make their service quicker, more accurate and more efficient. The business model was working well and in 2005, they applied it to a brand new site in Welwyn Garden City, and quickly became the area’s leading supplier.

2010 saw a management buyout and re-brand to Car Spares Factors – or CSF. This brought all the businesses together under a single brand, and kicked off an investment programme that included a brand new fleet of delivery vehicles, increased stock and additional warehouse space.

Since then, CSF have continued to expand the business, establish a new headquarters in New Southgate and created an inter-branch service to give customers an even better service. In 2022, they introduced their latest innovation – the CSF app – which allows customers to view stock and order quickly wherever they are. Just one of the ways CSF make sure they retain their position as a supplier with the best stock and the best service.

In 2023, CSF continued their growth strategy with the acquisition of Saxons Motor Factors in Harrow, increasing the network to seven branches across North London, Hertfordshire, Essex and Middlesex.

Having been in business since 1979, Saxons has a long-standing reputation and the same ‘family business’ ethos and focus on customer service excellence as CSF.  Now known as CSF Saxons, the business continues to be managed by the existing owners.  CSF Saxons customers benefit from access to £3m of stock, integrated IT systems and an exceptional fleet of drivers who are on the roads making deliveries often within an hour.

You can view a digital version of the catalogue here and visit Home – Car Spares Factors for more information.