A SMASHING SUCCESS
Dom’s Auto Parts was at the Autofest Nationals in Oshawa, Ontario, in August where, as the main sponsor for the event, the local auto recycler gave attendees a thrill by letting them smash up a scrap car. The festivities kicked off on Friday, August 26 with a cruise through Oshawa’s downtown during the “Kars on King” rolling car show, where dozens of classics wowed passersby as they promenaded Oshawa’s downtown core. Events continued Saturday and Sunday, where Dom’s Auto Parts and Parts 4 Less U Pull set up a variety of cars for onlookers to take out their aggression on. The Autofest Nationals have been connecting the automotive community of southern Ontario since 1994. Portions of the proceeds generated from this year’s event will go towards benefiting Grandview Kids, a children’s health advocacy group.
GIVE ME THE ’FAX
Car buyers looking for an extra bit of info before making their big purchase will now have CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Reports made available to them through IAA Inc.’s various vehicle auctioning platforms, the company announced. IAA users will now be able to access vehicle history reports for up to 180 days via the Vehicle Details Page within the Auction Centre. “CARFAX Canada maintains a strong, established reputation in the industry and we are proud to work with them to improve buyer confidence in the integrity of IAA and the vehicles we sell,” said managing director of IAA Canada, Blair Earle, in the company’s press release. “This CARFAX Canada integration will ensure our buyers understand more about a vehicle’s history, enabling them to make moreinformed buying decisions and improving the overall buyer experience.”
SAVE THE DATE
Clear your plans for October 20th—the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI) will be hosting its 25th Consumers’ Night at the Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel.
For CARI members, the event serves as an opportunity to meet face-to-face with representatives of the biggest consumers in North America and to network with many other brokers, dealers, and suppliers in the Canadian recycling industry.
“Please join us for the highly anticipated 25th Annual Consumers’ Night! Meet consumer company representatives, CARI board members and staff as well as industry titans across Canada and the United States,” wrote the organization in its event announcement. For more information on CARI, please visit cari-acir.org.
CALLING ON CARCONE’S
The Aurora, Ontario Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists for its regional 2022 Business Excellence Awards—and there’s a familiar name among the crop.
Carcone’s Auto Recycling and Wheel Refinishing, owned and operated by the Carcone family since 1978, has been nominated as a finalist in the Family-Run category, alongside two other finalists: a hardware store and a shoe/ clothing shop.
Carcone’s Auto Recycling was founded by Tony Carcone and is now owned by his son, Michael Carcone. The facility employs more than 50 people and also operates a wheel refinishing division, which opened in 1996. Today, the wheel refinishing side employs nine full-time staff members and operates in its own 790 sq. m. (8,500 sq. ft.) facility.
The official awards night, where winners will be named, will be held September 21. Wish the Carcones good luck!
90 YEARS YOUNG
Maritime Auto Parts is celebrating a very special anniversary this year, with 2022 marking the business’ 90th year in operation. Second-generation owner Andrew MacDonald is using the opportunity as both a reason to celebrate and reflect.
“Looking back on 90 years is a lot of fun. That’s nine decades of change, hard work, successes, failures and pushing forward,” he told Canadian Auto Recycler. “What a history we’ve built, here at Maritime Auto. I couldn’t be more proud of the people behind it all.”
When asked about his plans for the future, MacDonald said he’s always looking for new ways to innovate and deliver on the Maritime Auto promise. “Simply put—we’re looking to push more cars. Maritime Auto wants to continue bringing more recycled parts to the consumer.
“In 2015 we purchased our Pick-a-Part in Cow Bay, which was another way for us to purchase more vehicles—different types of vehicles—all while bringing more recycled and affordable parts to the hands of our happy customers.” Of course, MacDonald is also keeping an eye on the changing car marketplace.
“We make sure to stay attuned to the ever-growing world of electric vehicles,” he added. “And, when you consider how different purchasing is nowadays—it’s more competitive and strategic than it’s ever been before. “When bidding for cars, you’re up against people from all over the world. It’s become a data-driven industry; you must use that data to drive your purchase decisions and understand the margins of each vehicle [you buy].” And, to accommodate for such a rapid pace of change in the recycling sector, new talent is much needed.
“There’s been a shift in recent years, particularly in the necessity for business leaders to be flexible, open-minded and forward-thinking. Trusting and empowering your employees—getting away from those more rigid, dated ways of doing business—is what will attract the right people to your team. “And we have a great team here at Maritime Auto.”
