A new organization has bowed into Canada’s aftermarket, with the inaugural meeting of the Aftermarket Guild, and the induction of the first class of eleven Hall of Fame members.

Focused on building comradery and recognizing key individuals in the development of Canada’s aftermarket, the organization builds on a foundation created by the former Automotive Fellowship Society which for six decades existed as a quiet networking connector that was in many ways literally the “old boys club.”

COVID’s pause on meetings provided an opportunity to turn the page on that organization and create the more inclusive, open, and vibrant Aftermarket Guild.

The initiative was spearheaded by Ken Coulter with the support of Mike Fazackerley, Steve Gushie, Bill Hay, Patty Kettles, Ray Osika and Scott Stone, together forming the organizing committee.

Greg Stone, who had a long history in the automotive aftermarket including years as President of McKerlie-Millen, which eventually transformed into CARQUEST Canada, had served as chair of the Automotive Fellowship Society.

Stone provided a brief but entertaining walk through the history of the AFS, but closed with an endorsement of the new industry organization.

“Industry was changing, everything was changing, but the AFS didn’t change. So, eventually, time ran out. We got struck down by COVID as well, [when] Ken [Coulter] came up with the idea of a different concept, much more inclusive. We believe in that one hundred percent, we support that, [the organizers] have done a very good job putting all this together.”

Despite the connected history—existing AFS members are all taken as members of the Aftermarket Guild–it is a separate organization.

“The mission of the Guild is simple, very simple,” offered emcee Scott Stone (son of Greg Stone). “Bring committed key aftermarket participants together annually from all groups and all channels in a non-competitive atmosphere of just fun and frivolity.”

But despite that promise of frivolity, fourteen new members were announced and the key induction of the first eleven members to the organization’s Hall of Fame is a respectful reminder of those who helped build Canada’s automotive aftermarket into what it is today.

See below for Hall of Fame inductees.

Inductees to the Hall of Fame

Don Chase

Don founded Specialty Sales and Marketing in 1982 with two partners, Frank Reeves and Doug Williams. Don was one of the founding Members of Shad’s R&R and supportive of a number of Industry initiatives, which included AIA canada Committee and Council involvement.  He is the only indivdual to receive the Bestbuy Distributors “Horace J Pratt Award” for Supplier Excellence, an honour customarily bestowed upon companies.

George Clarke

George Clarke started working for Jobber News in 1978 and in the late 80’s left to start up his own publication which was called Automotive Report. It was a 4-page flyer, similar to the “Greensheet” that many in the aftermarket grew dependent upon for what was happening in the industry.  He continued to be involved in the aftermarket for decades.

A good man and great at what he did. Knew everyone and got along with everyone. He was kind and generous, very courteous. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 82.

Ed Coates

Ed Coates was an entrepreneur at heart and after time as growing in the aftermarket, in 1974 he teamed up with colleague Roy Lord to form Lordco Auto Parts, opening the first store in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. The enterprise grew over the decades with nearly 100 outlets today. Though he passed away in 2014, the legacy of his vision was critical to the success of the organization, and continues to influence its culture. Ed’s business strategy from opening day was simple, yet effective: Provide an unparalleled customer experience. 

The Coates family continues to build on Ed’s legacy.  As Canada’s largest privately held automotive parts distributor and Western Canada’s largest distributor and retailer of aftermarket parts and accessories, the company employs over 2,400 people and operates 90 retail locations in British Columbia and Alberta, all while embracing Ed’s philanthropic spirit.

Emmett Grant

Emmett Grant spent his entire career in the Automotive Aftermarket, guiding, leading, and often pushing organizations through some of the largest change periods in the history of the aftermarket.

Startin in 1964, much of his time in the aftermarket was connected to the Moog brand and the companies that owned it. From a series of sales positions, eventually to Canadian Operations Manager, overseeing both the Sales development of Moog, and managing its warehouse and distribution activities, he was pulled into a U.S. to manage North American activities, but then returned to Canada as President in 1980. He oversaw many integrations through a flurry of acquisitions until he departed in 1998 following the Cooper-Federal-Mogul acquisition. Afterward he went on to launch the Delphi brand in the North American aftermarket.

He served as Chairman of AIA Canada from 1985-86 and is a past recipient of the association’s Distinguished Service Award and a long time board member of the Shads R&R for Muscular Dystrophy.

John Grant Sr.

John Grant Sr, together with his brother Frank launched Grant Brothers Sales Limited following WWII, representing manufacturers of auto parts across Canada. Proud of its expansion, he worked there until the age of 83 before passing the company on to family. GBS First product line was an ironing board. 

John turned 100 in 2018, and after decades helping international manufacturers target the Canadian market, he has seen his son, also named John, take the company from strength to strength. Today grandson Charlie honours the family legacy with a push to ensure Grant Brothers Sales continues to offer unparalleled sales support and service.

He passed away peacefully at home in Toronto in 2023 at the age of 104.

Don Hannah

Don Hannah’s career in automotive spanned over 5 decades. Always a salesman at heart, Don began working in an automotive dealership in the 1950’s, before being recruited in 1960 by PPG Canada as their first Technical Service Representative. His natural salesmanship and witty charm allowed him to rise through the ranks of PPG, becoming their National Director of Sales in 80’s, and then Director of Automotive Refinish. Don eventually rose to the rank of President and CEO of PPG Canada, before his company moved him and his family to Strongsville, Ohio as VP Regional Sales for PPG North America. 

Years later, returning to Canada as President of Painters Supply, Don successfully integrated the acquisition of over 10 collision distribution businesses, and propelled PSE to become a major collision player in the Mid-West and Southern Ontario. 

Don was also an original and active Board Member of Shad’s R & R Golf Tournament. Don made a special effort to attend Shads every year.

John MacDonald Sr.

John Hay MacDonald was born in Listowel in 1931. He spent his childhood in Toronto and Port Elgin and moved back to Listowel when he was 13 after his father died and his mother wanted to be closer to family members. In 1953 a family friend connected him to the Champion Spark Plug Company where he joined as a sales trainee.

In 1954 he married Colleen Forrest in Listowel, and four years later father-in-law Earl Forest, 50% owner of Ideal Supply Company, convinced him to join the wholesaling organization. His years with Champion put him in good stead to understand the Automotive Aftermarket but at the time Ideal also sold electrical supplies, appliances and stereos, house paint and … toys.

Throughout the 60s and 70s, Ideal Supply focused on automotive and electrical, with Ideal joining Bestbuy Distributors in what would be a decades long association. By this point, John had taken over Earl Forrest’s interest and that of the partner also and continued the expansion of the company adding branches throughout Southerwestern Ontario.

The company left Bestbuy to join UAP/NAPA in 1996. This change exposed Ideal to new marketing programs and NAPA private branded products. Ideal purchased many of the UAP/NAPA Branches in SW Ontario and became the largest network of NAPA stores in Canada -and the third largest in North America.

John believed that for our communities -and our country-to grow and prosper, we all had to pitch in, and he walked that talk. His community engagement became a hallmark of who he was, and over his career was President of the Listowel Kinsmen Club, President of the Listowel Chamber of Commerce, and President of the Listowel Rotary Club. 

He was recognized for his professional and community contributions by receiving Listowel’s Citizen of the Year Award, the ElectroFederation Canada Industry Recognition Award, and AIA Canada’s Distinguished Service Award. John MacDonald was proud of the automotive aftermarket and the important role it played in the economy. After a Life well lived, John passed away in 2015.

Tom Saxton

Tom Saxton’s 42 year career with Hayes Dana started in 1959 working in the Beamsville, Ont. warehouse. He progressed through a series distribution and OEM positions culminating in his promotion Sales and Marketing Manager, Automotive Division in the Beamsville facility. In 1978, Hayes Dana decided Tom needed some international experience. To that end, he and his family moved to Indiana, USA so Tom could manage the facility there.

Returning to Canada in 1981, Tom went back to Beamsville to manage the Heavy-Duty truck group for 8 years. 

Tom became the Senior Vice-President in 1995 until his retirement in 2001. He was honored with the AIA Canada Distinguished Service Award in 2002.

Fred Shaddick

Fred Shaddick’s lifetime in the automotive aftermarket industry began with Monroe Auto Equipment Company in 1963 as the Sales Representative for Southern Alberta. Following a promotion to Western Regional Manager, He was then promoted to National Sales Manager in 1970 and promoted to Vice President of Sales for Canada in 1972.  Fred’s leadership and strong customer relationships were instrumental in substantial Canadian market share growth for Monroe, which led to the first Monroe manufacturing plant in Owen Sound in 1974. In 1979, he was named Director of Tenneco Canada Corporation. From 1986 until his retirement in late 1988, Fred was the Vice President of Customer and Industry Relations with Tenneco Automotive. 

Fred was also responsible for initiating the automotive industry charity golf tournament for Muscular Dystrophy known as “Shad’s R&R.” Since the tournament’s inception in 1973, the charity event has raised over $5.7 million dollars for the cause. 

In 1983 Fred was awarded the Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award by Northwood University. Among other awards, he was also the recipient of the AIA Canada Distinguished Service Award in 1989.

Fred Shaddick passed away on July 7th 2005 at the age of 73 from complications with Diverticulitis. Fred is a legend within this industry, from his dedication to Monroe, the industry, his family, and his commitment to “give back”, which was achieved through the success and longevity of Shad’s R&R.

Greg Stone

The last chapters of Greg’s automotive career were written as part of Painters Supply + Equipment in Michigan, where he served as Chairman of the Board, working with Chet Taurence, and Don Hannah, to expand and redevelop the Paint Supply business throughout the Mid-West region of the USA. 

Greg was a founding member of the Shads R+R for Muscular Dystrophy, and served as its chairman for many years, helping raise over $5m for those less privileged.

“His Success came through effort and common sense.”

“He has never let the facts ruin a good story- a trait he has passed on to his children.”

John Vanstone

John Vanstone did not start with a career in automotive. His first job was in the cost accounting department at Aylmer Del Monte in Hamilton. While attending Mohawk college and majoring in Marketing, John worked as a milkman for Silverwood’s Dairy in Brantford, ON (Yes, he can drive a truck while standing). 

John actually met his wife Anne while delivering milk to her family home.

He was working at Nestle selling food service equipment, when he met Fred Shaddick while servicing the coffee machine at Monroe Auto Equipment, and that started John’s 17 years at Monroe.

In 1993, John would move on to become a partner at Specialty Sales and Marketing with Don Chase. 

During his time with SS&M; he was the Chairman of the Board for AIA Canada as well as the Chairman for Shad’s R&R. He was “Secretary” to the AFS. John has been awarded the AIA Canada Distinguished Service Award; and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medallion. John was with SS&M for 19 years and another 10 years with Modern Sales Co-operative, prior to his retirement.

For more information on the Aftermarket Guide, visit AftermarketGuild.ca or e-mail info@aftermarketguild.ca