Thul Autoparts: Company History

In 1905, possessing only a fifth grade education, Nick Thul began his business career as an apprentice machinist at Walter Scott & Co., a printing press manufacturer located in Plainfield, New Jersey. Following the completion of his four-year apprenticeship, he worked in various garages as a mechanic gaining a reputation for the ability to tackle the difficult job.

Nick Thul - Nick Thul in 1929 with delivery vehicle - Son, Frederick Thul

By 1913, he had been promoted to foreman of a garage and later supervised the shop of a new car dealer in New Brunswick, NJ. While preparing to move to Nova Scotia to take a job running the shop of another new car dealer, he began repairing cars in his neighbor's backyard in North Plainfield. He soon had so much work that he hired a mechanic to assist him, never assuming the job in Canada.

Son, Fred Thul, grew up in the business and came to work full time in 1940. Fred served in the Army during WWII and rejoined the company in 1946. Together, with his brother-in-law John Keppler, the family opened six more stores including two under the Accurate Auto Parts name.

Fred's sons Rick, Nick, Jim & Larry entered the business after graduation from college and currently run all of the businesses after Fred Thul Sr. retired in 1992.

Over 85 years have passed and Thul Companies have grown from a two-car garage to a family of related businesses. Thul Auto Stores and Thul Machine Works employ over 100 people in five locations.