Oropeza Shares Insights Industry Icon Enjoys Semi-Retirement By Traci Matt STAFF WRITER When Frank Oropeza took out a second mortgage on his home in 1979, little did he know the operation in his garage would grow to be a multi-million dollar supplier of automotive electronic products around the world. The founder of Transpo Electronics even took his business through the incorporation process himself because he didn’t have the funds to pay a lawyer. “We had no money,” he emphasized. A lack of funding was not a problem for long as Transpo succeeded and grew over Oropeza’s tenure. The “First to Market” philosophy, a commitment to stay at the forefront of development of new products, was their signature. “The First of Market philosophy got us to the customer’s door, but we also had to have the line-order fill. The customer wants to buy a full bag of groceries from you, not a half bag from you and half bag from someone down the street,” he said. Last month, after a year and a half of negotiations, Transpo was purchased by its primary competitor, Wetherill Associates, Inc. (WAI), for an undis- closed amount. Oropeza said his decision to sell Transpo was driven by the matura- tion of the rebuilding industry, the intense overseas competition, and the resultant lack of new market opportunities. “We were back and forth driving each other up and down,” he said, refer- ring to the market share seesaw Transpo and WAI were riding. “In order to con- tinue we had to share what’s out there, so we bowed out gracefully.” Oropeza is aware of rebuilders’ con- cerns about a lessening of competition driving their prices up, but said he had to do what was best for himself and his family. He decided that being over the age of 70, he had simply “had enough.” “Any contract has to be good for both parties involved. A good thing ends or it continues predicated on the opportunity.” Oropeza credits the success of this family business to a combination of vision, luck and lots of hard work. “Tm the typical son of an immigrant with the drive for ambition and accom- plishment that is lacking today in American culture,’ he said. “Transpo was a dream. Everything came together like a puzzle. In 25 years we went from nothing to the ultimate supplier.” Oropeza has a message for immi- grants, especially those in rebuilding, trying to make it in the U.S. “Unless you go to school, learn a trade, learn English, and integrate, you won’t have success here. If you want to succeed you have to take ownership of your vision. Be accountable, be respon- sible. When that doesn’t happen, that’s what causes failure,” he said. He said his primary goal was to make sure his children and grandchildren would be well provided for. He has accomplished this handily through a worldwide network of business and recreational properties he owns with his wife of 47 years and their four children. “From day one our feeling was, “Why pay rent when you can own?’” he said. “Even after the sale of Transpo, the mentality continues. We’re working as a family.” Family business dealings are a spe- cial challenge, Oropeza said, but worth the effort. “It’s a lot of giving and taking, a lot of compromise because it’s still family. We struggle, we strive and in turn we succeed. But we have a fantastic family life. The blessings keep on flowing.” Transpo Electronics purchased majority ownership of Ace Electric, LLC in 1999. The sale of Transpo did not include Ace, which filed Chapter 11 last month. Oropeza said his biggest career chal- lenge lies before him now. Semi-retired, he works three days a week as a techni- cal and business consultant for Prime Automotive in Apopka, Fla. The self- proclaimed workaholic said he’s even taking time to fish. Prime Automotive, which was purchased by Transpo Electronics in the late 80s, specializes in Japanese and European imports, new marine alternators, and high-amp alternators for unique applications, including powder painted concepts and some “psychedelic” colors. At its peak, Prime Automotive employed 50 people, but is now down to 25. “I was so preoccupied with other things I couldn’t focus on it,’ he said. He hopes more concentrated efforts will help the company to rebound. So does he ever plan to retire? “Retire? I don’t think so,’ he chuckled.