NAPA customers at NASCAR Nextel Cup!

NAPA Auto Parts stores in Atlantic Canada thanked many of their great wholesale customers recently. And for the majority, it was a first-time excursion to the NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Loudon Motor Speedway in New Hampshire!







The NAPA group took a luxury Motor coach to Loudon, New Hampshire, USA, and the weather was perfect for that September weekend. Kevin Harvick won the event and everyone enjoyed the weekend tremendously.

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Uni-Select Dartmouth show a big draw

In 1968 twelve businessmen got together to form a purchasing group to develop a means of distribution for motor vehicle replacement parts, tools, equipment and accessories. While the company began operation in Quebec, today Uni-Select boasts distribution centres in all parts of Canada, servicing more than 1,200 members, with an annual sales figure topping $670 million. In Atlantic Canada, Uni-Select has 81 members, which are serviced from their warehouse in Moncton, NB.





Terry Bremner, David Zwicker, Derek McInnes of Chester Service Centre


These members enjoy the obvious advantages an operation like Uni-Select can offer. By using their huge buying power, Uni-Select is able to offer prices and delivery schedules their members would not be able to match by buying directly from the manufacturer. As Cindy Fitzsimmons, Uni-Select Marketing Manager at their Moncton location points out: “We do the market share analysis and we try to stock what is needed in each region. Our customers buy from us and they get the product at a very good price, plus they get it quicker. “Our customers are jobber stores. Their customers are the installers and garages.




Mike Mollins, Manufacturers Representative, Moncton, NB




Andrea Dean, Bancroft Shell; Rob Bancroft, Bancroft Shell; Eric Craig, NLS Products; Rob MacKinnin, Ferguson Auto Parts


After we sell to the member, he sells it to the garage that installs the part or uses the product.” Uni-Service regularly stocks items from a total of 225 suppliers, giving their customers quick access to a wide range of products.
Recently, Uni-Select staged a pair of “Tools and Equipment Shows” in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia where Uni-Select invited their customers to meet with a number of suppliers, who displayed and offered for sale their latest tools.




Greg McHugh, King Canada Tools




Bob Swan, Uni-Select


Twenty suppliers set up information and display booths at the shows, held at Crystal Palace in Dieppe, New Brunswick, November 7 and at the Holiday Inn in Dartmouth, NS, November 8. The shows went from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm each day, with Uni-Select supplying a buffet meal at 6:00 pm.“We invited the installers directly this time,” Fitzsimmons said. “The ones who are tied into a program without members and we got quite a lot of response.”




Chris Leslie, Service Tech; Mike Skerritt, Sales Manager, ALD Group, Eastern Passage, NS


This is a tool show. We’re not selling brakes here, because they know what brakes can do, they don’t need that information. But if there’s any new and innovative tools that we have and the installers haven’t seen them through the member, then they can see it here and get a good price today. “It’s a win, win situation, because if an installer sees something he wants to purchase, then he has to purchase it from our member, who in turn either has it in stock, which would be great, or he has to purchase it from us.” While sales figures for the shows are not yet in, action appeared brisk at both locations.


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NAPA Fredericton big opening!

Many Fredericton-area automotive customers and service centers got their first good inside look at the new NAPA store in Fredericton and weren’t disappointed.

Located at 525 Bishop, this new facility hosted  a ‘Customer Appreciation & Grand Opening’ recently. A Tools & Equipment mini-trade show was also the focus and the events were well-attended.





NAPA Fredericton is managed by Justin Bennett, who said it was a great three days, “We had a BBQ, prizes and lots to look at with our Tools and various equipment suppliers.” The new NAPA location has a large retail sales area, ample parking and easy access. Similar NAPA Tool & Equipment shows were also held in Moncton, Halifax and Bathurst.

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NAPA Chassis
Promotion Winner!

NAPA Brian Myshrall, owner of  ‘Little B Service Center’ in Hawkins Corner NB was the big winner of the NAPA  ‘Extreme Chassis Promotion’. Myshrall was awarded $2,000 in Sears gift certificates for his participation and support of this popular NAPA promotion. Myshrall’s servicing Automotive Store is the NAPA Nackawic location, owned by Blake Collier. 



L to R: Brian Myshrall; Don Leblanc NAPA Brake & Chassis

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Michelin celebrates 35
years in Nova Scotia

Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. has reached a significant milestone in Nova Scotia with the celebration of 35 years of manufacturing. This milestone dates back to 1971 when the Pictou County facility produced its first tire and the Bridgewater plant its first steel cord product. Two years later, Bridgewater produced its first passenger tire.




Part of the Nova Scotia community. Here a group of Michelin people raised almost $20,000 for the Pictou United Way in 2005


Then, in 1982 Michelin Waterville began producing tires for the heavy-weight market. “With 35 years of production, Michelin’s Nova Scotia team can be proud of the progress made. We are very proud of our people, our accomplishments and our experience here in Nova Scotia,” says Grant Ferguson, plant manager of Michelin’s Waterville Facility. “Since the first day of production, the dedication and efforts of employees have contributed to a success story that goes far beyond the walls of Michelin with spin-offs in additional economic benefit throughout the province.”

Michelin is the largest manufacturing employer in the province and the company’s exports are second only to the oil and gas industry in Nova Scotia. Since coming to the province, Michelin has invested more than $1.3 billion in capital in Nova Scotia. The facilities have produced more than 200 million tires, employed thousands through direct and indirect employment, and contributed to Nova Scotia communities through cash and volunteer support. Each of Michelin’s Nova Scotia facilities celebrated this major accomplishment with special events for employees and retirees during the week of Oct. 23, 2006.

Headquartered in Laval, Quebec, Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. employs approximately 3,700 employees and operates three plants.