Jobber News Partners With British Auto Supply On Counterperson Award

Jobber News Magazine has announced a partnership with British Auto Supply in the creation of the Abe Schwartz Counterperson of the Year Award.
The award is named after Abe Schwartz, patriarch of the Schwartz family who passed away in 2004. Michael and David Schwartz, who own and operate the 100-year-old British Auto Supply company in Toronto, Ont., had previously sponsored another counterperson of the year award. That award, presented annually by a now-defunct publication had not been presented for some time.
"David and I had been talking for some time about reviving a counterperson award," said Andrew Ross, Jobber News Magazine publisher and editor. "We had both tried to obtain the previous trophy from the company that bought the assets of the pre-existing magazine, but to no avail. In the end, David suggested an award named after his father who worked behind the counter for more than half a century. I thought it was a great idea."
"My father was the kind of guy who you really had to push to give you advice," said David Schwartz. "He never wanted to say anything bad, never wanted to criticize.
"The last award I made out of respect. This one I have created out of love."
Abe Schwartz, who spent more than 70 years in the automotive aftermarket at British Auto Supply in Toronto, passed away in May 2004 The second generation of the Schwartz family to work in the now century-old business, Abe began working for his father, Jacob, at age 10.
David Schwartz said that he felt it appropriate to recognize his father’s contributions, and to recognize the contributions of dedicated counterpeople to the industry in kind.
The Abe Schwartz Counterperson of the Year Award will be presented later this year, with additional details on criteria and sponsors to come.
"We still have a few details to work out regarding specific criteria, and a few related announcements to make shortly," said Ross, "but I’m being quite honest when I say that I am looking forward to adding this special award to the Canadian automotive aftermarket."