Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Auto dealers grab national attention
TWO Winnipeg auto dealers have set an industry precedent by winning two of three prestigious national awards in the same year.
The Canadian Auto Dealers Association only bestows three of its Laureate dealer recognition awards in any given year. And two of this year's winners were Winnipeggers Steve Chipman, of the Birchwood Automotive Group, and Larry Vickar of the Vickar Automotive Group.
"Having two dealers win the award from the same city in the same year is unprecedented," the CADA said in written statement announcing this year's winners.
"Hundreds of nominations are received from industry stakeholders across Canada -- from fellow dealers, industry suppliers and automobile manufacturers," said CADA chairman Neil Kalawsky. "So it's an exceptionally prestigious honour."
The association said Chipman received his Laureate award in the Business Innovation category for initiatives that significantly enhance performance or broaden the scope of business for new car and truck dealers.
And Vickar was chosen in the Ambassadorship category, which recognizes extraordinary service to the community and to the retail automobile industry.
Industrial Alliance Pacific Insurance is the CADA's partner in the Laureate program. IAP president and chief operating officer Gerry Bouwers said the Birchwood Group operates with a centralized structure, giving them a "wonderful" combination of entrepreneurship backed by strong operational controls.
"This has led to many successful innovations, including the creation of the Birchwood sales process, their IT group that operates as a distinct business unit and the creation of the Birchwood Tires website, among other things," he said.
And, he said, Vickar "is renowned for his work at the local, provincial, national and international levels. The list of initiatives Larry has championed is lengthy and the benefits far-reaching."
He said it is easy to understand why Vickar "is frequently called upon as an expert in the areas of social, community and industry advocacy."
Vickar and Chipman said in written statements they were delighted to win a Laureate.
"I believe it is our duty and responsibility to help others, both within and outside our community," Vickar said. "The auto business has permitted me the time to get involved and I encourage others to do the same."
He and Chipman both singled out their staff for praise.
"Of the three Laureate awards, I think this one is the most organizational," Chipman said of his award. "It's about the whole team, not one person."
"I'm fortunate to be supported by a very committed staff that allows me to get out of the office and participate in various events and activities," Vickar said.
The Laureate winners were selected by the University of Western Ontario's Richard Ivey School of Business.
-- Staff
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 31, 2010 B5
-
WFP Hockey
Download our new hockey app for the iPhone for Winnipeg Jets updates
-
Editor's Bulletin
Sign up for daily bulletins from editor Margo Goodhand
-
Winnipeg Jets
All things NHL on our Jets landing page
-
Twitter
Follow our reporters and our news feeds on Twitter
-
News Cafe
Check out the menu, read our blog posts or get info on coming events
-
Facebook Fanpage
Follow our Facebook Fanpage for story links, contests and special events
Ads by Google
- Back to Top
- Return to Business
Poll
Most Popular
- Piers Morgan blasts 'gruesome' Madonna
- RCMP receptionist told Stobbe wife was dead
- Juror dismissed in second-degree murder trial of Mark Stobbe
- Steinbach booms to No. 3 city in province
- Cabela's to open massive store just west of IKEA site
- Should infants be allowed in the House of Commons?
- RCMP receptionist told Stobbe wife dead
- No comfort in trade talk: Veteran Thorburn says closely knit club well worth keeping together
- US teen gets life in prison for killing 9-year-old; called the murder "pretty enjoyable"
- Tassimo brewers and espresso packages recalled amid rupture, burn concerns
- Piers Morgan blasts 'gruesome' Madonna
- Clothing chain pulls Caterpillar boots to protest closure of London, Ont., plant
- Three winning tickets sold for Friday's $50 million Lotto Max jackpot
- Woman's car stolen at gunpoint at St. Vital mall, police say
- Eleven people killed after truck hits van in southwestern Ontario
- 'This is so silly': Mom and Dad tell story of baby Zade, born on side of Highway 59
- Stobbe said slaying during shopping trip 'strange': sister-in-law
- Tactical squad storms St. Vital house
- Woman sexually assaulted during noon-hour in Exchange District
- Restaurant Dubrovnik may be closed for good
- Do you smoke marijuana?
- Driver dead after SUV goes over Disraeli Bridge
- George Clooney's prank could end Pitt's career
- Piers Morgan blasts 'gruesome' Madonna
- Tina Maze strips down to her sports bra to send out underwear message: 'Not your business'
- Clothing chain pulls Caterpillar boots to protest closure of London, Ont., plant
- Minor earthquake strikes near Manitoba
- Car's plunge off Disraeli fatal
- Two children, two women die in fire
- Kate Beckinsale's weight fears over Underworld catsuit
- Tassimo brewers and espresso packages recalled amid rupture, burn concerns
- Cabela's to open massive store just west of IKEA site
- Fighting fire with knowledge
- Spain mourns death of Catalan painter, sculptor Antoni Tapies, top contemporary art figure
- Steinbach booms to No. 3 city in province
- New appointees named to Manitoba Hydro board
- Juror dismissed in second-degree murder trial of Mark Stobbe
- Our 'true champion'
- Harper driven by libertarian ideology, not reality
- Flood reviews launched
- Tassimo brewers and espresso packages recalled amid rupture, burn concerns
- Swedish bunny's sheep herding skills becomes click-monster on YouTube
- League encourages hazing secrecy
- Cabela's to open massive store just west of IKEA site
- Harper driven by libertarian ideology, not reality
- Northern fishing lodge destroyed by fire
- Police target drivers talking on cellphones, texting
- Obama torn by conflicting allies
- 'This is so silly': Mom and Dad tell story of baby Zade, born on side of Highway 59
- Fighting fire with knowledge
- Minor earthquake strikes near Manitoba
- Paddler Starkell was modern-day voyageur
- Tassimo brewers and espresso packages recalled amid rupture, burn concerns
- Driver dead after SUV goes over Disraeli Bridge
- Car's plunge off Disraeli fatal
- Canadian woman 'badly injured' in Mexico, local media report apparent beating
- Winnipeg mother watches as car stolen with child inside
- Swedish bunny's sheep herding skills becomes click-monster on YouTube
- League encourages hazing secrecy
- Cabela's to open massive store just west of IKEA site
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010; View the changes. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.