PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga. -

Mighty Distributing System, which provides parts, lubricants and other supplies for service departments, recently added the 14th dealership group to its franchise system.

Now operating three Mighty Auto Parts franchises in two states is the Florida-based Step One Automotive Group. According to a news release, the new Mighty businesses are based in Orlando, Fla., Pensacola, Fla., and Dothan, Ala., operating as separate, vertically integrated distribution points servicing the greater Orlando market, the Florida Panhandle, as well as southern Alabama.

Step One Automotive Group was founded in 2016 by chief executive officer Fernando Arellano Geddes. Headquartered in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., the company operates 22 dealerships in Florida, Alabama and Georgia, representing 16 brands including Chrysler, Dodge Jeep, Ram Fiat, Volkswagen, Subaru, Kia, Hyundai, Genesis, Ford, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Alfa Romeo and Maserati.

The news release mentioned that Step One will centrally distribute Mighty’s preventive maintenance products, shop supplies, detailing products, chemicals, lubricants and equipment to its own dealerships.

The new relationship also presents Step One with an opportunity to add profits with B2B product sales to its wholesale customers and other non-affiliated automotive businesses in its exclusive territory.

“We are excited about our partnership with Mighty Auto Parts. This will allow us to expand business throughout the region and we look forward to a long and productive relationship with Mighty,” Arellano Geddes said in the news release.

Mighty president Josh D’Agostino added, “Car dealerships continue to see the value in adding a Mighty franchise to their portfolio of companies. We are so proud to welcome Fernando and the entire Step One Automotive Team to our family. They have made a significant investment in our program by adding three Mighty operations and will have our full support to achieve success in each market.”