DICKINSON - A name known in the auto industry for more than 70 years will become history July 1.

Hedahls Inc., of Bismarck, will begin operating the Mann's Automotive Supply stores in Dickinson, Minot, Williston, Crosby, Mohall and Garrison. Hedahls' President Dick Hedahl announced the purchase agreement last week.

Hedahls and Mann's were original partners in the former Automotive Northern Warehouse purchasing group that was established in the 1950s. It now carries the Uni-Select USA name.

Former Mann's owner Kenneth Mann retired at age 75 in 1985.

"We were interested in making a deal at that time," Hedahl said. "But part of the group in Detroit Lakes (Minn.) also wanted to get out."

So Hedahls purchased the Detroit Lakes operation and Bruce Walker, of Minot, became part owner of Mann's with Dickinson's Roger Owen.

Walker is now basically retired and Owen is nearing retirement.

"We've been partners literally since the 50s. This is a very natural transition for both companies," Hedahl said.

Hedahls already has a store in Dickinson immediately across from the Mann's location on East Villard.

"We have a lot of the same existing lines. It should be an easy transition," Owen said. "I think it's going to work out for both of our customer bases."

Hedahls' total number of stores will grow to 22 as a result of the purchase agreement with stores in North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota.

"I'm sad to hear that, but those things will happen," Mann said, when asked for comment Friday. He said Hedahls and Mann's were good competitors over the years.

"We had a smooth get together all of the time, a good relationship," Mann said.

The histories behind the two retailers are very similar in family involvement. Kenneth Mann began his automotive career in 1935 when he drove a parts truck for Dickinson's Ford dealership.

Mann's Automotive expanded to Bowman in 1948 and opened its Minot store eight years later. Mann's then opened a store in Beulah in 1975. At it's peak, Mann's had about 1,800 dealers and 85 employees.

Hedahls began almost 90 years ago under Ed Hedahl, who was Dick's grandfather. Ed died during World War II ,when brothers Neil and Erling were fighting overseas, which left the operation in the hands of their sister, Beulah.

"I have a letter from Beulah written to Erling evaluating the store during the war," Dick said. "It was her evaluation the company was worth running."

Dick Hedahl said the administrative headquarters has the capacity to take on more stores and more customers without increasing costs.

"We see some economies of scale by adding these stores," he said of the Mann's purchase.

He said the Hedahls and Mann's stores in Dickinson are both pretty lean operations, but no changes are expected in staffing as a result of the purchase.

"When you combine the volume of the two stores, we will need the folks who are there," Hedahl said. "We are not anticipating any changes in the employees, we need them."

Owen, who has been with Mann's for 38 years, said it will be different to no longer see that name on the door.

"It's going to be a change. I'm going to have to learn how to answer a telephone again," Owen said. "It will be sad, but as things change, you need to keep pace. This just kind of fell together at the right time."