The Ed Coates Memorial Foundation has created two scholarships for British Columbia’s Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), a Trade Leadership Award and a Business Award.

The foundation is named after Lordco Auto Parts founder Ed Coates. 

Lordco is the largest distributor and retailer of aftermarket parts and accessories in British Columbia, with more than 100 locations throughout the province. Lordco is the largest privately held automotive parts distributor in Canada with 2,000 employees.

Each of these awards will provide $1,000 to a student in the Automotive Parts,Warehousing, Logistics and Distribution Foundation or Level 1 Apprenticeship Programs and one for a student enrolled in KPU’s business program.

A new bursary award was also created in the Automotive Parts, Warehousing, Logistics and Distribution Foundation or Level 1 Apprenticeship Program which will award a $2000 bursary.

The ECMF has donated $23,000 to fund the KPU awards for the upcoming years, which will provide immense support for the automotive programs at KPU.

“We take immense pride in granting these scholarships and bursaries, the purpose is to provide individuals in the automotive and business fields with assistance to build a successful career in an industry we have so much pride in,” said Candace Gottschalk, Ed’s daughter and VP of Human Resources for Lordco Auto Parts. “My father was a innovative business leader and our hope is for others to have the same passion our family shares for this business.”

Support for The Ed Coates Memorial Foundation will be attained through numerous fundraising initiatives by Lordco Parts Ltd., as well as local community events. The well-known reputation of Lordco in the automotive aftermarket community will aid in building support for the Foundation.