Across Canada Report: a Fast Start to 2002

The first two months of the year have seen some major changes on the Canadian automotive aftermarket landscape.

First came the news that UAP is expected to convert 123 of its stores to the NAPA banner in 2002, with the rest to follow. Then we heard about the completion of the Uni-Select and Acklands-Grainger deal that combines the Uni-Select Western Division and the Acklands-Grainger automotive division operating as Bumper to Bumper.

Then of course there was the earlier announcement that Independent Distributors Limited (IDL) has become a shareholder of Bestbuy Distributors, which means that 32 IDL members will soon be flying the Bestbuy banner. Please note that even though I was not able to attend the UAP business conference in Toronto where they announced the new identity program, I received all of the pertinent details shortly after. I logged onto the www. www.autoserviceworld.com website that is chock full of automotive aftermarket news items and received the information only minutes later. I highly recommend that jobbers and others employed in the automotive aftermarket log on to this site on a daily basis to keep up with the latest industry news.

NOTES FROM AROUND:

Ron Kilby, the chairman of the British Columbia Division, tells me that Lordco is opening a brand new store on Southwest Marine Dr. in Vancouver near the airport. What’s unique about the store is that it is approximately 25,000 sq. ft. and about 15,000 sq. ft is dedicated to demo and training space for its equipment division, as well as some warehouse space. The idea is to bring people in and show them hoists and other equipment that actually work. Kilby says that this type of store is definitely a first in B.C. Lordco has other stores on the drawing board and under construction. Lordco will soon surpass the 70-store mark as a result.

Kilby also says that the B.C. Division has set June 21 as the date for its annual golf tournament. It will be held at the Golden Eagles Golf Club in Port Coquitlam, B.C. AIA president Ray Datt and incoming chairman Sean Corcelli have been invited to tie in the chairman’s visit with the tournament.

And this from Peter Gilchrist in the B.C. Interior. He reports that a new NAPA associate store has opened in Sicamous, B.C. It is owned by Terry and Kevin Fleming.

Note: If you have any information to contribute to this column please call Bob Blans at (905) 844-8616, Fax (905) 844-8731, E-Mail to rblans@sympatico.ca or write to Across Canada Report c/o Jobber News Magazine, 1450 Don Mills Rd., Don Mills, ON M3B 2X7. In addition to AIA Division activities we are interested in hearing from you about the opening of a new business, change of ownership, expansions etc.