ACROSS CANADA REPORT: Happenings From West to East

I trust that those of you who attended the AIA Convention and Trade Show in Montreal had a good time and gained some new business opportunities that will help you increase sales and profits in the future.

And while big things were happening in Montreal, big things were also happening at the other end of the country, according to AIA B.C Interior rep Peter Gilchrist and Harold Nicholls (Vancouver Island and British Columbia). Gilchrist notes that Lordco’s “beautiful” (exactly the word he used) new store in Salmon Arm, B.C. opened for business on March 15. Janic Adamchuck is the manager. Nicholls noted that Lordco is also opening its new 22,500 sq. ft. Metrotown store in Burnaby B.C. and according to Lordco president Ed Coates, as far as jobber stores go, it will have the largest retail display area of any automotive parts store in Canada. But that’s not all. Lordco is replacing its existing store in Mission, B.C. with a brand new store. It’s even bigger, with a total of 25,000 sq. ft. (Neither store was open and operating in time for Lordco’s show in early April–ed.)

Lordco is also opening a new 10,000 sq. ft. store in Sardis (near Chilliwack), B.C. Lordco already has a 7,000 sq. ft. store there at the other end of the town. “The two will complement each other,” says Coates. And finally, Lordco has purchased the fixtures and inventory of the recently closed Federal-Mogul warehouse in Burnaby. Lordco will continue to operate it as an engine parts warehouse.

NOTES FROM AROUND

Also from Peter Gilchrist, UAP/NAPA Auto Parts, Salmon Arm, B.C. has changed ownership. Wes Henry, a partner with Terry Bell, has sold his shares to Rick Everett (formerly general manager corporate stores-Pacific). Terry will continue as Rick’s partner.

Congratulations to the AIA Northern Alberta Division on the launch of their quarterly newsletter. I read it from cover to cover and found it interesting and informative.

The AIA Atlantic Division Winter Event proved to be a real success with record attendance, according to Atlantic Division chairman Paul Fahey. Larry Raymond, chairman of the National Car Care Council, was there to encourage jobbers to promote Car Care Month during May to their dealer customers; and Dave Elliott, chairman of the Southwestern Ontario Division, made a presentation on Business Practices Using the Internet. Paul Fahey provided an update on AIA programs. After the meeting and lunch, the group enjoyed an afternoon of bowling and a lot of laughs and after all that they went to a dinner theater. A draw was held to raise funds for the Marion Roberts Scholarship Fund. Quite a day in Atlantic Canada.

Members of the AIA Quebec Division who attended the 33rd Annual Maple Sugar Bush Party in St. Eustache, Que., also had fun. They too raised funds in aid of the Marion Roberts Scholarship Fund. The division also planned a special brunch for members and their spouses for May 28 at the Parcours du Serf Golf Club in Longueuil, at which Quebec Division Chairman Rene Gelinas will hand over the gavel to Michel Bourgeois, who will serve as chairman for the next two years.

GOLF TOURNAMENTS

June 8–B.C. Interior Division AIA Golf Tournament will be held at the Shannon Lake Golf Club in Westbank, B.C. To register phone or fax Bill Heinrich at (250) 768-9149.

June 8–Saskatchewan Division Golf Tournament will be held at the Harbor Golf Club, Elbow, Sask.

June 8–The Shad’s R&R Golf Tournament in aid of Muscular Dystrophy Research takes place at the Kleinburg Golf Club, Nashville Sideroad (West of Hw. 27), Kleinburg, Ont.

June 21–The Central Ontario Division will hold its Summer Gold Classic Golf Tournament at the Springfield Golf Club in Guelph, Ont.

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 blans@ibm.net 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.