FleetPride Inc., retailer of heavy-duty truck and trailer parts, has acquired the assets of Clutch and Transmission Service Inc., which operates as Catco Parts & Service. This acquisition includes 18 locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota and Illinois.

Catco Parts & Service, founded in 1949 as Clutch and Transmission Service by Art Peterson, consists of drive-in service, hydraulic cylinder repair and replacement parts operations. Three generations of Petersons have built Catco into a business known for its combined parts and service experience, customer service, and expertise in fluid power, transmission and differential repairs.

"Catco represents one of FleetPride's most strategic acquisitions to date in terms of geographic expansion into four new states, and substantially strengthens our exclusive coast-to-coast heavy-duty network," says W.M. McGee, FleetPride chairman and CEO. "Acquiring parts distributors who also have repair and maintenance operations, such as Catco, will continue to be an integral part of our growth strategy."

Acquired locations in Minnesota include Bemidji, Brainerd, Burnsville, Eagan, Mankato, Rochester, Roseville, St. Cloud, St. Paul and Willmar. Locations in Wisconsin include Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Green Bay and Stevens Point. Locations in Illinois include Chicago and Bolingbrook. Additional locations include Fargo, North Dakota and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. All locations, with the exception of Brainerd and St. Paul, have drive-in service.