Over the Counter (July 01, 2003)

Urgent Transportation of Dangerous Goods Advisory Issued

The Automotive Industries Association of Canada has issued an urgent advisory regarding the shipment of batteries.

The association has reported that, according to Transport Canada, batteries cannot be shipped under the limited quantities exemption as had been previously thought. They can however be shipped using the 500 kg exemption.

For limited quantities a dangerous good must comply with schedule 1 column 6 of the new TDG Clear Language Regulations. Initially, it had been thought that they qualified due to the fact that they contained less than 5 L of acid, but the association has since discovered that the number refers to kilograms, meaning that virtually every automotive battery does not qualify under the “limited quantity” exemption.

However, batteries weighing 5-30 kg each (which covers most automotive batteries), in a total shipment weighing less than 500 kg, can be shipped under the 500 kg exemption. This means that shippers will need to provide proper documentation for this class of product. In addition safety marks must be displayed on each package and the driver must be trained.

It is possible that this ruling may be revised, as the association says it has notified Transport Canada of the burden this ruling places on the aftermarket and Transport Canada has promised to look into it.

Charity Drive Hits $3 Million Mark

The Shad’s R&R charity golf tournament and fund raiser brought in another $150,000 this past June, raising the cumulative total for the automotive aftermarket cause to $3 million.

All funds raised by the event are forwarded to the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada. In doing so, it has become the cause’s second-largest single fundraising event, behind the MD telethon popularly hosted by comedian Jerry Lewis for so many years, and the largest single third-party event in Canada. The event has been held annually since 1974.

Federal-Mogul Continuing with Winning Ways

Federal-Mogul reminds jobbers that its “Moog Winner’s Circle” promotion still has nearly half a year to win.

Last year, Kevin Gyoerick of Discovery Automotive in Winnipeg, Man., stayed in the game and won himself a VIP trip for two to the Daytona 500, plus a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix SE.

Thousands of others won merchandise and cash prizes. Details are available from your Moog representative.

Judgement Rendered in Favour of Uni-Select

One of the longest- standing legal disputes in the Canadian automotive aftermarket has drawn to a close with a judgement by the Supreme Court of Canada in favour of Uni-Select and against Acktion Corporation. These proceedings originated with the 1989 acquisition by Uni-Select of the eastern Canada auto parts distribution activities of what was then known as the Acklands chain. As a result of this transaction, Acktion undertook not to compete with Uni-Select in the markets concerned. Pursuant to the breach of this undertaking, Uni-Select initiated proceedings which resulted in the final ruling awarding to Uni-Select damages in the amount of $4.4 million plus interest since May 1993. Uni-Select estimates that the impact of this judgement on its net earnings will be $4.5 million.

AMS Computer Systems has announced a move to a larger facility. The B.C. based firm says the expansion will improve customer service and product development.