Ed Coates Honoured with Prestigious AIA Distinguished Service Award
May 2nd, 2011 -- On April 20th, members of the Automotive Industries Association of Canada had the opportunity to honour industry veteran Ed Coates, the winner of this year’s prestigious AIA Distinguished Service Award. This award was presented during the AIA Aftermarket Conference for Executives that was held at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa, Ontario.
Brad Morris, AIA Past Chairman presented the award to Mr. Coates stating that with over 37 years of industry involvement, Ed Coates’ leadership and innovative business thinking make him an ideal recipient for this award. He also noted that, “Ed Coates has been a supporter of many industry and community projects over the years. His personal support for a number of causes, both in the industry and in his community, reflects the corporate values that Lordco has become well-known for.”
Click here for photo of Ed Coates, Brad Morris and Mauro Cifelli.
Click here for photo of Ed Coates, Marlyn Coates and Samantha Coates-Wiens.
Ed Coates is currently the sole shareholder and President of Lordco Auto Parts, and has been the key figure behind a succession of creative and successful expansions that have made the 90-plus Lordco store chain a force in the automotive aftermarket in Western Canada.
During his acceptance speech, Ed recognized his wife Marlyn and his daughter Samantha who were there with him for the award presentation as well as his other three children who are working in the business. He also credited his brother Doug for helping him to make Lordco a business success.
Ed noted that he and his partner Roy Lord started the company Lordco Parts Ltd. in 1974, with Ed buying out his partner in the early 1980s. Since then, Lordco has grown to become the largest, privately held independent automotive parts distributor in Canada and currently employs about 1,500 people
Ed concluded his speech stating that he still loves what he is doing and enjoys going to work each and every day and being involved in the day to day operations of the company and has no plans of slowing down.
About AIA Canada The Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA) is a national trade association representing the automotive aftermarket industry in Canada. The aftermarket is an $18.7 billion industry that employs more than 420,200 people. The industry is composed of companies that manufacture, distribute and install automotive replacement parts, accessories, tools, and equipment. AIA represents manufacturers, re-builders, manufacturers agents, warehouse distributors, national distributors, buying groups, wholesalers, machine shops, retailers, and through its councils, the interests of collision repair shops and automotive service and repair outlets. AIA's mandate is to promote, educate and represent members in all areas that impact the growth and prosperity of the industry.
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For more information, please contact: Patty Kettles Manager, Marketing and Communications AIA Canada 1272 Wellington Street West Ottawa, ON K1Y 3A7 800-808-2920, ext 221 Patty.kettles@aiacanada.com
