About Us

Founded by & Committed to Serving Auto/Truck Dealerships

Our story begins in 1972 in Marshfield, Wisconsin.

A local dealership owner received news from Detroit of rising prices on car parts unless purchased in volume. The quantities outlined in the program were well beyond nearly any dealer's need, phone calls were made to other local dealerships and the solution was clear: Cooperative purchasing was key to maintaining healthy margins. In the coming months five other dealership owners joined efforts, bylaws were drafted, registered with the state of Wisconsin the Wisco Cooperative Association began.

With the an endorsement by WATDA, Wisconsin Auto Truck Dealers Association, the story was shared and within the first two years membership grew to over 200 dealerships across Wisconsin as did the savings. Answering the needs, partnerships and programs were developed to include body panels, exhaust systems and even tires. By the early 1980s Wisco grew to more than 400 locations around the badger state and each year was celebrated at the annual Wisco Show. In 1984 the cooperative built and moved operations into the current facility providing space to warehouse a range of products from parts to supplies.

Today we are 530 Members strong with more than 940 locations across 22 states. What will never change is the foundation: 100% Member Owned. Each of the nine Wisco districts is represented by our Board of Directors who are elected to ensure the financial health and guidance through the ever changing industry. The board also reviews each application for membership to maintain a standard of integrity. Once approved, a dealer purchases a $1000 stock share and the doors to savings open.

Throughout the past five decades Wisco and our Members have weathered countless economic challenges. Industry and technology have allowed our operations gain efficiency; during the 1980's Wisco required more than 15 people to service dealer's needs. Currently, just nine fulltime staff members support over $30 Million in annual business. Furthermore, concentration on quality service and timely fulfillment to a vendor direct business model. Nearly 95% of dealer's needs are thanks to our partnerships and programs.

There are few words to convey our gratitude to the people who put value in Wisco Membership. For more than 30 years Factory Motor Parts has been delivering the quality and savings to serve our Members across the upper mid-west. Hunter Engineering, the unrivalled manufacturer of vehicle service equipment, provides Members incredible savings on the best equipment that defines dealer profit. Halron Lubricant's team dedicates the days to delivering the lifeblood of transportation and supplies. Maintaining the consumables of service, Wurth USA and Kent Automotive travel the state ensuring technicians and customers the best products to get the job done. Keeping us neat and clean are the people of Cintas Corporation and UniFirst: Both offering exclusive savings and service. One of our newest godsends is are the people from Nassco supplying an endless range of paper products, chemicals, cleaner and machines to keep your facility and staff healthy and clean. Every tool or equipment need is answered thanks to Challenger Lifts, Benco Equipment, Medco or Neu Tool. Thanks for our friends at DSI Automotive the quality accessories your customer's request are delivered fast and priced right!

The future is today and Wisco's blessed to discover new solutions to our dealer's needs. Werner Electric, a Wisconsin based electrical wholesaler, offers Member a savings program on virtually all building electrical, tooling and services that include design, IT systems, camera or parameter security. Our newest solution to protect your property is NJB Protection. Pairing your security camera with their network, NJB's software alerts their 24 monitoring center every time people are present after hours then contact local authorities to thwart would be theft or vandalism.

Our deepest thanks to all those who paved the way for our privilege to carry on Wisco's mission: Serve the auto/truck dealership's with quality, savings and discover solutions every Member's needs.