Across Canada Report: Good News on Dangerous Goods

The big news from Ottawa is that changes to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations that took effect in August are good news for jobbers.

These regulations have been under review for some time and Automotive Industries Association president Ray Datt says that that changes mean that Safety Permit SH-0791 will no longer be required.

For jobbers, this means that shipments in the 500 kg or less category are covered as the transportation of small or limited quantities (less than 30 kg per container) of dangerous goods. This also means that the Safety Permit will no longer be required. For more details or questions, members are asked to contact Deborah Moynes-Keshen, manager of training and technology, or AIA vice-president Marc Brazeau in Ottawa at (613) 728-5821.

NOTES FROM AROUND

Here is an interesting item from B.C. Interior rep Peter Gilchrist. He notes that James Ward, the Lordco regional manager based in Kelowna, has been racing a Lordco car in CASCAR racing events. Apparently he has raced seven times in B.C., Saskatchewan and Alberta with good results. The pit crew is made up primarily of Lordco employees.

Doug Dawson, AIA Northern Alberta Division, reports that Bruce Bell of Chief Automotive Distributors of Edmonton, has sold his company to Avenue West Motor Works Inc. Chief Automotive has been an AIA member since 1989.

The AIA Northern Alberta Division, in partnership with Alberta Automotive Booster Club (AABC), is holding a special gala event on November 16 at the Sawmill Banquet Centre in Edmonton. The event is in celebration of two special anniversaries, the 60th Anniversary of the Automotive Industries Association of Canada and the 40th Anniversary of the (AABC) Christmas Party. Over 300 people who are or have been involved in the automotive aftermarket as well as special dignitaries are expected to attend. AIA executives and personnel as well as members of the provincial and federal governments have been invited. Over the past 40 years the AABC has honored 90 people for their contribution to the automotive aftermarket, their companies and their communities.

Manitoba Division chairman Brent Carr reports that Rainbow Service in Grunthal, Man., has recently become an AIA member. Owner Willie Friesen established his company about three years ago and it has grown from a one-man operation, to a staff of five. Friesen worked for 20 years in the automotive service field prior to his new venture. Rainbow Service is an Auto Value associate. “We welcome Rainbow Service to the Manitoba Division and wish Willie all the best,” says Brent.

Southern Alberta Division chairman Dave Desmarais reminds us that the division will host the 2002 Annual General Meeting with featured guests AIA chairman Sean Corcelli and Ron Rooke, vice-president of marketing for the Calgary Stampeders. Representatives of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology will also be in attendance. The meeting will be held at the Dairy Barn in Heritage Village in Calgary. About 60 people are expected to attend.

Here is a further update on the regional conference and AIA Convention next year. The AIA Regional Conference will be held June 19 and 20, 2003 at Red Deer Lodge, Red Deer, Alta. Presentations include Bob Greenwood on “Profitability for Jobbers,” and Chuck Seguin on “Succession and Retirement Planning.” The theme is “Doing Business the Western Way: Building Profitability in the Automotive Aftermarket.” The AIA Southern Alberta and Northern Alberta Divisions will share all proceeds from the event. The organizing committee consists of Sean Corcelli (Chair), Garret Broer, Dave Desmarais, Rick Gibson, Randy Kittlitz and Casey Wnuk.

The AIA Convention with the theme “A View from the Bridge–the Changing Automotive Aftermarket Industry,” will be held Friday, May 30, and Saturday, May 31 in Charlottetown, PEI at the Delta Prince Edward.

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.