ACROSS CANADA REPORT:Many Realizing Group Benefits

It’s convention time. Many of you will be heading out to Penticton, B.C., for the AIA Annual Convention. Like I said before, it promises to be a good one.

One piece of good news that I’m sure will be discussed at the convention is that more wholesalers are joining AIA through the association’s Group Marketing Program.

The most recent example of the success of this program comes from Quebec Division regional coordinator Michel Tremblay. He reports that Michel Bourgeois, the Quebec Division chairman, presented a cheque to AIA chairman of the board Randy Moore during the popular 34th Annual Sugar Bush Party in St. Eustache to cover the membership dues for UAP/NAPA associates in that province.

AIA vice-president Marc Brazeau noted that this means that all UAP/NAPA associate stores in Quebec have now joined AIA under the Group Marketing Program as a result of the efforts of Michel Bourgeois.

“This is an impressive number of companies who have made a conscious decision to join AIA as a group because of the many benefits associated with membership,” Brazeau commented.

He also announced that all PartSource stores will be joining AIA under the same program through the efforts of Bruce Allen and Paul Barron of PartSource.

You all know that May is Car Care Month and hopefully many of you have been using the promotional material issued by AIA’s Car Care Council. If not, it’s not too late. Promoting your business and the industry should be an ongoing activity, not restricted to one month of the year.

NOTES FROM AROUND:

Peter Gilchrist, B.C. Interior field representative, reports that Uni-Select has officially opened its new 25,000-sq.-ft. distribution center in Kelowna. Uni-Select president Jacques Landreville and vice-president Michel Maheux attended the grand opening. He also notes that Dave Fesor, UAP/NAPA store owner in Sommerland, B.C., has closed his store to go into another line of endeavor not connected with the automotive aftermarket.

Chuck’s Auto Parts in 100-Mile House, B.C. has become a Lordco corporate store. John McKenzie will continue as manager. Peter says that Lordco’s new operation in Kamloops is now under construction. The store is expected to open sometime this summer.

Bernard Caza, chairman of the Northern Ontario Division, reported that the March 27 meeting in Sudbury had to be rescheduled. It will include an IDL presentation by CARS, a Training Solutions presentation and an address by AIA chairman Randy Moore.

Atlantic Division chairman Paul Fahey reports that the division had a successful meeting in Halifax, N.S., on March 23rd. The 21st Annual Winter Event started with a lunch, followed by an information meeting. AIA chairman Randy Moore and vice-president Marc Brazeau made presentations on the new structure and focus of AIA. Following the meeting, the group attended a bowling tournament and spent the afternoon socializing. In the evening they went to the Grafton Street Dinner Theater. About 50 people attended.

Quebec Division regional coordinator Michel Tremblay has announced that Philipe Tomlinson has joined the team of Michel Tremblay and Associates. He will eventually assume greater responsibilities with AIA’s Quebec Division. Philipe comes to the Quebec Division team with five years’ experience in association management.

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.