Over the Counter: November 2001 (November 01, 2001)

Uni-Select and Acklands-Grainger Join Forces

Uni-Select and Acklands-Grainger have announced that they will combine Uni-Select’s Western division and Acklands-Grainger’s automotive aftermarket division, operating as Bumper to Bumper, into a joint venture.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.

Uni-Select and Acklands-Grainger each will have a 50% stake in the new company, which will be managed by Uni-Select.

In addition, the companies will combine their distinctive product offerings and trademarks, which include Uni-Select’s Auto Parts Plus and Auto Plus as well as Acklands-Grainger’s Bumper to Bumper automotive division. Annual revenues for the new company are expected to be $120 million.

Three Canadians Among Best in Technician Competition

Three Canadians were among the “best of the best” in ACDelco’s Technician of the Millennium competition.

After written and practical examinations held across North America, nine technicians were chosen to attend the international competition in Charlotte, N.C.

Among the nine were Jeffery Taylor of Eccles Auto Service Inc., Dundas, Ont., who took 5th place overall in the final competition; Herman Chabot, A. Chabot et Fils Auto Electrique, St. Lazare, Que., took 6th place; and Paul Martin, Westview Auto Repair, Edmonton, Alta., took 8th place overall.

RPDL Expands Capabilities

The Replacement Parts Depot Limited has moved to a new, larger warehouse.

The 75,000-square-foot facility allows for the organization’s expansion as well as facilitating new logistics and ordering technologies and systems designed to improve ordering and delivery functions.

The new facility is located at 275 Belfield Road, Rexdale, Ont. Phone and fax numbers remain unchanged.

Carquest Announces Expansion of Training

Carquest Canada has announced the Carquest Technical Institute is expanding its reach and schedule with training available in Ontario.

The program already has four trainers working with jobbers in Quebec, but has just begun working with Ron Brown of Auto-Know, Inc., to deliver an exclusive program of training to Ontario installers. A second trainer is to be added shortly. Training includes five two-night technical training sessions and one two-night business management course.

NGK Plug Pro Winners

NGK Spark Plugs of Canada has announced the first batch of winners in its Plug Pro contest.

Each received a $100 certificate toward NGK Store Catalog merchandise. The contest asks members of the NGK Plug Pro aftermarket trade program to answer questions on spark plugs and ignition systems, with 20 winners chosen each month. Questions are contained on a card sent to Plug Pro members with their issue of Jobber News Magazine and L’Automobile.

Winners of the August contest are: Dennis Teigen, Miller & Wyatt Ltd., Kelowna, B.C.; Richard Larocque, UAP/NAPA Prince George, Prince George, B.C.; W.J. Sotski, York Auto Supply 1976 Ltd., Yorkton, Sask.; Bob Sanders, UAP/NAPA Auto Parts – Fort Ignition, Swift Current, Sask.; Dale Niemetz, Reliable Engine Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Shelley McLarty, Trio Auto Supply, Sault Ste Marie, Ont.; Jeff Sokolik, Turnball Automotive, Windsor, Ont.; Bill Dixon, B & B Dixon Automotive, Newmarket, Ont. ; Herb Mackenzie, Action Automotive & Industrial Supply, Newmarket, Ont.; Paul Stewart, UAP/NAPA Pickering, Pickering, Ont.; Drew Andress, Odrowski Automotive & Industrial, North Bay, Ont.; C E Powers Pinkus, Pinkus Tire & Battery, Williamsburg, Ont; Mike Hyde, UAP/NAPA Georgetown, Georgetown, Ont. ; Sherry Claver, UAP/NAPA Georgetown, Georgetown, Ont.; Charles Binkle, Ideal Supply Co. Ltd., Listowel, Ont.; Bob Hart, Radar Auto Parts, Clinton, Ont. ; Leo Visconti, Pieces D’Auto Probec, Montreal, Que.; Dave Young, Auto Machinery/Eastern Automotive, Fredericton, N.B.; Louis Landry, Modern Auto Supply, Tracadie-Sheila, N.B.; and Patricia Harris, Shelburne Auto Parts Ltd., Shelburne, N.S.

Fram Plant Earns Quality Award

Honeywell Canada’s Fram filter manufacturing facility in Stratford, Ont., was awarded the Certificate of Merit for Quality at this year’s Canada Awards for Excellence.

Dan Corbett, president of the National Quality Institute (NQI), announced the recipients of this year’s Canada Awards for Excellence (CAE) at a ceremony in Toronto, Ont. “We are really proud of this certificate,” said Honeywell’s Stratford plant manager Juan Cruz. “This award recognizes the hard work all of our employees contribute on a daily basis.”

Uni-Select Atlantic Recognizes Reps

Uni-Select Atlantic recognized three veteran sales representatives at its recent Annual Rep Appreciation Evening held in Moncton, N.B.

Uni-Select acknowledged the long-time contributions of Ed Holleran, Tenneco Automotive, Fred Armour, Downeast Auto Sales, and Russ Amirault, Mevotech. All three are retiring and were presented with commemorative clocks by Mike McQuinn and Chris Lesperance of Uni-Select Moncton.