Auction company sold on 50 years of business

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This article was published 05/03/2021 (2032 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For half a century, folks have been deal-hunting and outbidding one another on cars, trucks and more at Associated Auto Auction.

The Headingley-based retailer is celebrating its golden anniversary this year. The COVID-19 pandemic has forcedthe business it to take its operations online for the time being, but an in-person celebration isn’t off the table yet, according to business co-owner Janelle Collingridge.

“We definitely would like to have a nice, live auction to celebrate our 50th year at some point,” she said. “We’re trying to think of a safe way.”

The business began with Phil Noiseux and his son Jeff, who set up shop on Tache Avenue in 1971. A variety of organizations came — and come — to Associated Auto Auction to sell, including banks, insolvency agencies and large retailers looking to get rid of stock before their new stuff comes in.

Originally, Associated Auto Auction began by selling vehicles. 

People place bids on the discounted goods and cross their fingers, hoping they’ll walk away with a nice purchase and a deal.

The company has expanded to sell everything from farm machinery to kitchen appliances and gym equipment. It’s sold hundreds of prom and wedding dresses. 

In 1995, the Noiseuxes moved their company to its current location at 7130 Roblin Blvd. When Phil retired, Jeff took over.

Associated Auto Auction closes its automotive auctions every Monday. It has an equipment sale, which includes farm pieces, once a month. Sales on smaller goods are ongoing.

The company also hosts the Winnipeg Police Services’s unclaimed goods auction and the City of Winnipeg’s bicycle auction.

Collingridge, her husband Craig and business partner Tim Dowler took over Associated Auto Auction last April. By that time, all sales were online.

The Collingridges previously owned CY Truck Centre, and Craig is an auctioneer, so the couple knew Associated Auto Auction well.

They told Jeff they’d be interested in taking over the company when Jeff was ready to retire. The Collingridges pulled Dowler, an auctioneer, into the fold when Jeff decided — pre-pandemic — it was time to move on. 

“Craig and Tim are very much excited to get back to the live auction,” Collingridge said.

When gatherings are allowed, automotive auctions will go back to in-person bidding, she said. However, the company might keep online auctions for smaller items, like dresses.

Collingridge said she’s proud Associated Auto Auction has always been a family business.

“We can give that personal touch,” she said. “It doesn’t matter who you are. We treat everybody the same and how we’d want to be treated.”