What's New

April 8, 2020

MAPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS SUSPENDS 2020 MEMBERSHIP DUES IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19

MAPA Members,

The COVID-19 pandemic has become an unprecedented crisis that none of us have ever experienced in our lifetime. As the number of positive cases and deaths continue to rise, the virus is causing a hardship on all of us, both personally and financially.

In response to this, the MAPA Board of Directors have voted to suspend all member dues for the 2020 fiscal year. Members in good standing, who have already paid their dues for the 2020 year, will receive a refund check from MAPA in the coming weeks. Members who are scheduled to be invoiced April through December 2020 will receive a dues invoice, however it will be marked Paid.

Debbie Cook, MAPA’s Executive Director, and our Board of Directors are here to support our members however possible. Please feel free to contact Debbie with any questions or concerns you may have.

As our country comes together to manage through the COVID-19 pandemic, our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been affected by the coronavirus, and we hope you and your loved ones remain healthy and safe.

We thank you for your support of MAPA!

Sincerely,

Greg Phillips, MAPA 2020 Chairman

West Branch Automotive

Lansing, Michigan – The Michigan Automotive Parts Association announces the selection of Wayne Foote, CEO of B & W Auto Supply located in Portland, Michigan as recipient of its 2020-2021 MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Created in 2010, the MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award is designed to honor the excellence of individuals in the automotive aftermarket industry who have made significant impacts in the industry and/or the association. The recipient must have/had an extensive career in the industry, contributed significantly to the automotive aftermarket industry in Michigan, and made accomplishments within his or her local community.

About Wayne. On November 1, 1961 Wayne Foote and his Uncle Bob Cook went into partnership to purchase Curtis Auto Supply in Portland, Michigan from Russel Curtis. They renamed the store B & W Auto Supply and operated from that location until they moved into a larger building across the street in 1963. Wayne and Bob continued to grow the business, however Bob decided to go onto other ventures and Wayne purchased Bob’s half of the business in 1970. At that point Wayne knew he could not operate the business on his own, so once again he asked for help from his wife Joan, whom he married in 1956. They came up with a plan that she could perform the office duties while their sons Randy and Greg were in school. Joan continued to run the bookkeeping for all stores until 2017. Even though Joan is not as active in the office now, she still plays a vital role in the bookkeeping side of the business operations.

In 1971 Wayne purchased Grand Ledge Auto Parts in Grand Ledge, Michigan. He saw this as an opportunity not only because of the auto parts business but this store included a machine shop and an auto body paint mixing business. In 1973 Wayne incorporated under the legal name Wayne’s B & W Auto Supply, Inc. Later in 1973 he purchased H & H Automotive in Ionia, Michigan. In 1986 Clinton Automotive was purchased and renamed St. Johns Auto Parts. This purchase included the auto parts business, a machine shop and radiator repair shop. In 1992 Perry Automotive was purchased and this store also included a machine shop. In the year 2000 Wayne saw a dramatically changing market in Ionia. He has always realized as a businessman there are going to be times when you have to make tough decisions. With much thought he decided to close the store in Ionia and concentrate his resources to the betterment of the other four stores. In 2012 Durand Auto Parts was purchased from General Auto Parts-CARQUEST.

Throughout Wayne’s 58 years of being involved in the automotive aftermarket he has always believed in these basic principles: Always be fair and honest to everyone; Be committed to service and high quality; Work hard; Have your stores be attractive, bright and welcoming; Make sure your employees are courteous and helpful; Be involved in your community.

Wayne not only believed in these principles, he has an impressive list to show how he has implemented them: He built the businesses to 5 locations with 45 employees; Built new stores in 4 locations: Portland in 1997, St. Johns in 2002, Grand Ledge in 2004, Durand in 2013. In 1997 he donated the previous Portland location building to the City of Portland so they would be able to build a new City Hall with an expanded parking lot; Member of MAPA for over 45 years; MAPA board member 2012-2017; CARQUEST Jobber of the Year 1987; City of Portland Business of the Year 2015; Dedicating his entire career giving his insight of the importance of the independent auto parts jobber to the local community. This includes staying in constant contact with suppliers at all levels, employees, customers and the community as a whole.

Wayne not only dedicated his life to the aftermarket, he is also very involved with the betterment of his community through many years of volunteer work which includes; Portland Jaycees member 1962-1972; Portland United Methodist Church Administrative Council Chairperson for 20 years as well as serving on various committee for many years; Portland Chamber of Commerce member for 58 years; Portland Chamber of Commerce President 1978; Board member for Maynard Allen State Bank and First Michigan Bank; Supporter of Portland Civic Players; Portland High School varsity football scoreboard operator since 1971; Consistent donations of both time and money to the many non-profit organizations within his community.

MAPA’s Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Wayne Foote during MAPA Industry Day 2021 being held on Wednesday, September 15^th, 2021 at the Holiday Inn Gateway Centre in Flint, Michigan. (Postponed from MAPA Industry Day 2020 originally scheduled for September 16, 2020).

MAPA News

June 27, 2019

Michigan Automotive Parts Association (MAPA) is pleased to announce the 2019-2020 Leadership 2.0 Program Scholarship through the University of the Aftermarket Foundation at Northwood University has been awarded to Daniel Hartman of Ross Automotive Supply of Lapeer located in Lapeer, Michigan.

“Having a goal for my future was not always a strong focus of mine. It is no surprise that most of these days I tended to walk blindly through life without a strong plan. Needless to say, in my life it took a major medical event to change my state of mind on this issue.

I have always had a strong mechanical and automotive background. My father retired as an ASE Certified Diesel and Automotive Technician after being in the industry for over 35 years. I myself had a background in many different retail settings. It wasn’t until I got a job at a big automotive retail chain that I truly enjoyed the Parts Sales Industry. Being young and naive I squandered the opportunity.

Recently I have returned to work within the automotive aftermarket industry again. I find myself wanting more knowledge and more information. I now have long term goals with my current employer. I really enjoy the work, the people, and the atmosphere of the job. I hope to move up through the company and advance my skills and retail parts knowledge. I feel an opportunity such as this Leadership 2.0 program scholarship is a great way to enhance my knowledge and skill set. Thank you for the opportunity!” - Daniel Hartman.

Leadership 2.0, now in its 25th year, is the industry’s premier leadership development program. It is designed for light vehicle aftermarket professionals in all market segments and job functions. Brian Cruickshank, Director of the University of the Aftermarket at Northwood University, provided ASAAA members with an opportunity to apply for one full $6,350 scholarship from the University of the Aftermarket Foundation which includes tuition, materials, and meals for the highly-acclaimed 2019-2020, 2-week Leadership 2.0 Program. Leadership 2.0 is conducted in 2 one-week sessions at Northwood University; Fall 2019 (August 11-16), Midland, MI and Spring 2020 (March 15-20), Raleigh, NC.

This scholarship is an exclusive offer to members of the Michigan Automotive Parts Association (MAPA) through its affiliation with the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA). Scholarship recipients are selected by ASAAA’s Scholarship Committee from applications submitted by member state associations.