Over the Counter: February 2001

Auto Value Adds Northern Ontario Shareholder

The Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc., which operates the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper programs, has added Maslack Supply Ltd. as its new Auto Value shareholder in Northern Ontario.

The organization, which operates half a dozen branches in addition to its head office operations in Sudbury, Ont., will share the Ontario market with Piston Ring Supply Ltd., of Winnipeg, Man. which has been handling Auto Value operations in Thunder Bay and area; and Base Automotive Warehousing of Toronto, Ont., which has had the remainder of Ontario as a region to this point. While no formal territory agreements among the three are in place, a gentleman’s agreement is in place, according to Base Automotive president Mark Mandel. While he admits to having enjoyed being the only Ontario Auto Value shareholder, he says the addition of Maslack is a positive development for Base and rest of the Auto Value network in Canada. “It adds another player with their own strengths and good ideas that will grow our presence in the market and that will help us all out,” says Mandel. John Maslack, who was named Jobber of the Year in 1995, was unavailable for comment. Currently, there are more than 150 stores carrying the Auto Value banner in Canada.

ACDelco Technician Contest Opens

ACDelco has announced the launch of its Technician of the Millennium II Contest.

Open only to ACDelco Total Service Support Program Member Technicians, the North American contest allows all member technicians the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, with the chance to become North American Champion Technician for the Year 2001 and the owner of a Chevy Avalanche. The program was originally launched in the US in 1999 and has been expanded to North America for this year. Entrants must take a written exam, then may move on to a regional contest testing hands-on skills. Regional winners participate in a diagnostic competition in Charlotte, N.C. to decide the overall winner.

Federal-Mogul Launches Promotion

Federal-Mogul Corporation has announced its largest automotive replacement-parts promotional program ever.

The North American program consists of several innovative brand-specific campaigns targeted at more than 150,000 automotive aftermarket business locations and millions of repair technicians, vehicle owners, automotive do-it-yourselfers and motorsports enthusiasts.

The 2001 promotional program will target counterpeople, sales professionals, technicians, engine rebuilders and consumers with premiums for selling or specifying selected Federal-Mogul brands. The brand campaigns will be supported by a media program using leading national trade publications, television and radio networks and automotive-related Internet sites.

AFTERMARKET

March 2-4–Carquest AutoPlace Maitre mecanicien et Maitre Carrosier Convention, Hilton Hotel, Quebec City. Carquest Trade Show at the Centre des Congres, Quebec City.

March 16, 17–Uni-Select UniPro/The Specialist Convention, Hilton Hotel, Quebec City.

March 16, 17–Uni-Slect Prairie Div. Annual Members Conven-tion, Delta Lodge, Kananaskis.

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