It all began in 1991, when Polish transport smelled of Kamaz and Jelcz exhaust. Today, Autos has 110 stores, and its red-and-black logo is familiar to every truck driver in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Goods are shipped to all corners of the globe, from India to Australia. The history of Autos is a rare example of business evolution, in which ambition did not exclude humility, and large scale did not kill passion.
If someone had told Marek Sałek in the early 1990s that his company would manage 110 sales outlets, stocking 800,000 parts, he probably would have smiled, considering it a bold plan that simply had to be implemented. The beginnings, as is often the case in times of transformation, were modest. On February 1, 1991, the first store opened in Solec Kujawski. Back then, what mattered was cleverness, availability of goods, and knowledge of the technology of machines that today are mostly found in museums – Tatras, Liazs, and Brandys.
The transport market in Poland was changing rapidly, and Autos was changing right along with it. Polish carriers began switching to Western brands. Autos wasn't left behind, offering components for giants like Mercedes, MAN, Scania, and Volvo. The number of sales outlets grew, and in 1998, the company was transformed into a limited liability company. The adopted strategy was based on maximum availability – the expanding sales network was a response to the needs of the transport sector, where a breakdown on the road requires an immediate response. Simultaneously, the company developed its technical support network, including four in-house service centers. These workshops remain in operation to this day, offering comprehensive support – from quick emergency repairs to diagnostics of the most complex failures.
Already firmly established as a leader in the country (over 50 stores), Autos began to look south. First to Slovakia, then to the Czech Republic. Today, the chain boasts 110 stores in three countries, offering over 700 parts brands. But Autos has long been more than just a "parts store." It's a holding company that, in 2013, breathed new life into the transport and forwarding company Intrasped, and a few years later opened its own production facility under the name PPHU Autos Marek Sałek. Modern machinery and machining have allowed the company to expand into entirely new areas of expertise. Autos has also become a manufacturer, a bold and rare move in the distribution industry.
The last decade has been a record-breaking period for the Solec Kujawski-based company. Joining the global purchasing group Nexus in 2015 opened up new business opportunities. Today, Autos parts reach customers worldwide. However, the company also maintains a focus on local needs. The introduction of a product range for construction machinery and heavy-duty vehicle tires has made Autos a first-choice partner for many construction and transportation companies. The latest step was entering the van and bus market – a response to the growing needs of the courier and last-mile logistics industries.
It's the people who shape its character, shape the company's daily operations, and have a real impact on its development. Behind every success are the commitment, responsibility, collaboration, and daily effort of the entire team. A company's strength stems not only from its offerings, plans, or tools, but above all from the people who contribute to its value every day. Their attitude, commitment, and mutual support determine the quality of its operations, the pace of development, and the results achieved. An organization's success doesn't happen on its own—it's the result of the work of people who pour their experience, energy, and heart into it. Every employee matters. Each person brings something valuable to the company and influences its stability, image, and future. It's thanks to people that an organization can grow, overcome challenges, and consistently build its position. Therefore, it's worth remembering that the true foundation of every company is its employees—without them, there is no lasting success.
Despite its vast scale, Autos still exudes the spirit of passion that started it all. The 35th anniversary isn't just about numbers—it's about relationships with suppliers and customers, built over three decades. From a modest Jelcz parts store to modern warehouses and the status of one of the largest distributors in this part of Europe. The company's history demonstrates that in the automotive world, it's not just the biggest that survive, but above all, those who can adapt to change the fastest. For 35 years, Autos has proven that it has its finger on the pulse—or rather, on the steering wheel—of Central European transport.
