Northern Ontario father-son team named Fountain Tire MVPs

A father and son from Greater Sudbury, Ont., have been recognized as standout leaders in Canada’s automotive service sector.

Robin and Cory Lafortune, co-owners of Fountain Tire Val Caron, have been named Fountain Tire’s Most Valuable Players (MVPs) for 2024. The annual award recognizes top-performing store owners from among 167 locations across the country.

“Robin and Cory lead equally with their heads, their hearts and their hands,” said Jason Herle, chief executive officer at Fountain Tire. “They gain the trust of many by caring greatly for their team and customers alike. Their commitment to growth and safety is second-to-none, and they represent Fountain Tire proudly in the local community. Their approach embodies Fountain Tire’s philosophy of ‘we’re on this road together.’”

The Lafortunes were chosen from 142 fellow owner-operators for their dedication to safety, business performance and community involvement. Since opening in 2012, their Val Caron store has steadily expanded — doubling its physical footprint and growing from a five-person team to 20 staff members.

Robin, who previously managed a tire retread plant in Sudbury for two decades, became a Fountain Tire partner in 2012. His son, Cory, joined the business as a co-owner in 2016 after gaining experience in the tire industry right out of high school.

“We’re the first father and son combination to be named MVP,” said Robin. “It’s surreal to see your name on that trophy alongside prestigious Fountain Tire leaders; to see it next to your son’s is even more special.”

“This has been an incredible moment,” added Cory. “Working with family isn’t easy, but we’ve proven that as long as we work together with the best interests of our customers in mind, the store will succeed. We always have the support of one another, and from our network of Fountain Tire owners across Northern Ontario.”

The 2024 MVP award was presented during Fountain Tire’s annual Owners’ Convention in March. Additional honourees included:

• Rookie of the Year: Ryan McHollister, Ladner, B.C.
• Most Improved Retail: Ron Kotila, Sudbury (Barrydowne), Ont.
• Most Improved Mixed: Steve Dempster, Estevan, Sask.