Auto parts central: employees are the sum of its parts.

• Author: Louiseize, Kelly
• Position: BEST PLACES TO WORK IN NORTHERN ONTARIO - Company overview

Asign of a good leader is someone who finds people headed in the right direction and gets in front of them. At least this is the way-Wayne Maunula, co-owner of Auto Parts Central, sees it.

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"I like to build the business and I really rely on management to run the day-to-day operations."

In essence, his managers are in charge of the details and he is in charge of overseeing the bigger picture.

He learned this management style from his uncle, Marvin Maunula, who owned On-Track, now NorTrax, with 22 locations across Canada. When one builds a company of 600 employees he cannot be hands-on, Wayne says. Marvin was also part owner of Central Canada Industries (CCI) and sold his shares to Wayne some six years back. Central Canada has Auto Parts Central as a separate business, and this year they won 2008 Jobber of the Year, a wholesale automotive part distributor award.

Years ago, wholesalers obtained the name "jobbers," and since then, the name stuck around to be adopted by the 2,000 distributors across Canada. This was Auto Parts' first kick at the national award and they were surprised to win it.

"Usually people don't make it in their first year," he says. "They have to be nominated for several years."

There are 105 employees working with the company with an average number of 35 drivers.

Part of the company's success is their loyal client base and their dedicated employees. Growth, benefits and recognition for a good day's work go a long way.

A person can start as a driver, as Peter Lepage did, then receive promotions to the warehouse, the service counter and then to sales. Lepage now occupies the divisional manager's role.

Training is essential as people work their way up through the ranks.

"At all times there is a learning process going on in our business."

The company reimburses employees who are eager to enhance their job standing through academic training and courses.

Maternity benefits are standard guidelines used from the government. The retirement package is a bit different. They have three per cent matched pension program with deferred profit sharing.

As well, the company has a comprehensive health care package with full prescription drug coverage, long and short term disability, dental, eye care and life insurance.

Salaries are competitive with service counter representatives ranging from $30K to $35K, Maunula says.

"I think that is competitive in the industry. In our industry we don't get much turnaround."

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