Valvoline to Acquire Oil Changers, Its Second Quick Lube Acquisition in Canada
Valvoline Inc. recently signed a definitive agreement to acquire the business assets of Oil Changers Inc., which has 31 franchised quick lube centers in Ontario. The acquisition is expected to be complete during the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Oil Changers Inc., based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, was founded in 1996 by Dan Marin and is now owned by his three children, who currently operate five locations and plan to remain in the quick lube business as franchisees. All Oil Changers quick lube centers will be rebranded as Great Canadian Oil Change. This acquisition will expand Valvoline’s existing quick lube network to more than 1,250 company-owned and franchised locations across Canada and the United States.
“One of our key business strategies is to grow and strengthen Valvoline’s quick lube network through organic store expansion and high-quality acquisitions in both core and new markets, and we have made excellent progress on this strategy since becoming an independent company,” said Sam Mitchell, chief executive officer. “The acquisition of Great Canadian Oil Change in July provided us with the perfect opportunity to expand our quick lube footprint outside the U.S. Now, with the acquisition of Oil Changers, we look forward to increasing our scale and brand presence in Canada by broadening our retail footprint in Ontario.”
“Oil Changers is an exceptionally well-run operation, with a great base of franchisees and an excellent reputation for customer service in Ontario,” said Tony Puckett, president, Valvoline Quick Lubes. “We are excited that the Marin family plans to remain in the business and grow their base of five stores. We look forward to working with them and all of the franchisees to grow their respective businesses, add more locations and expand Valvoline’s Great Canadian Oil Change brand in Canada.”
“Oil Changers has been a part of my family since 1996 when our father started the business,” said Tom Marin, owner and president of Oil Changers Inc. “My sister, brother and I are proud that we could continue to build Oil Changers into a business known for outstanding service to our customers in Ontario. We have a lot of respect for the Valvoline Instant Oil Change name in the United States, as well as the Great Canadian Oil Change brand that Valvoline acquired in July. We’re excited to join the Valvoline family as franchisees and look forward to the longer-term growth opportunities that Valvoline can provide.”
Jiffy Lube Teams with MDA for Annual Muscle Up! Campaign
Jiffy Lube and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) are teaming up for the seventh annual Muscle Up! campaign, aimed to help transform the lives of families affected by muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases.
Throughout the month of August, Jiffy Lube customers were invited to make a donation at participating locations of $3 or more to MDA, helping to fund programs for families in their community. In return, customers received Muscle Up! savings books, which contained offers totaling more than $100 from Jiffy Lube and other national retailers, including Men’s Wearhouse, Fuddruckers and Office Depot. One hundred percent of funds raised benefit MDA and its life-enhancing programs such as state-of-the-art clinics and support groups, as well as MDA Summer Camp, a week-long camp that provides opportunities for kids living with neuromuscular diseases to discover new interests, gain self-confidence and experience the independence of being away from home in an environment where barriers do not exist.
“Jiffy Lube and its franchisees are passionate about giving back to the communities in which we live and operate, so we are enthusiastic to support MDA for the seventh consecutive year,” said Denny Reiner, director of Marketing for Jiffy Lube International, Inc. “The Muscle Up! program is a natural fit for Jiffy Lube because it draws parallels between the body’s muscular system and a vehicle’s engine structure.”
Since launching Muscle Up! in 2012, the campaign has raised more than $5.5 million in support of research and MDA services and has sent more than 2,750 children to MDA Summer Camp.
“Support from partners like Jiffy Lube makes it possible to accelerate research to find urgently needed treatments and cures for muscle-debilitating diseases,” said MDA executive vice president and chief philanthropy officer Karen Lewis Alexander. “In the past year, four new drugs have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These are milestones that would not have been possible without the generosity of loyal Jiffy Lube franchisees, service center employees and customers. We are so grateful for our partnership.”
Sign Up for Automotive Aftermarket Riders Club G.O.A.T. Ride 2018 to Support Industry Education
If you missed the Automotive Aftermarket Riders Club (AARC) Greatest of All-Time (G.O.A.T.) ride last time, don’t worry. AARC will take the same legendary route this October when they embark on the annual “Ride for the Future.”
AARC is seeking riders, sponsors and pledges for its ride from Las Vegas to Arizona and back prior to the start of Industry Week.
“Whether on a motorcycle, bike, car, slingshot, Can-am or trike, if it rolls, you can roll with us on our annual AARC ‘Ride for the Future,’” said Bill Maggs, MAAP, treasurer of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation and leader of the pack. “There were so many great stories from the 2016 ride, we figured we had to travel that same route again so those who missed it could enjoy the awesome scenery and camaraderie experienced two years ago. As always, all proceeds will be donated to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, so if you can’t join us, please consider supporting a rider or making a donation to the foundation.”
The 2018 AARC “Ride for the Future” will start from the Las Vegas Harley-Davidson dealership on Thursday, October 25, and head to Prescott, Arizona, via Old Historic Route 66 and return north along the Colorado River the following day. On October 27, riders will travel to the Grand Canyon to visit the infamous Skywalk, a cantilevered glass walkway extending 70 feet from the rim of the Grand Canyon and overlooking a 2,000-foot drop to its basin, before returning to Las Vegas.
Motorcycles can be rented from the Las Vegas Harley Davidson dealership with an advance reservation. To learn how to become a rider or for more information, contact Mike Mohler, MAAP at [email protected] or visit the AARC Facebook page at: facebook.com/aftermarketriders To become a sponsor of the AARC Ride for the Future or to make a donation to their worthy cause, visit: www.uofafoundation.com, click on “Donate” and reference AARC.
Registration Open for MACS 2019 Training Event and Trade Show
A/Ccess is the theme of the MACS 2019 Training Event and Trade Show to be held February 21-23, 2019, at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California.
Attendees will gain A/Ccess to the mobile A/C and engine cooling service and repair information needed to make accurate diagnoses and reliable repairs; A/Ccess to the experts in the field who design and manufacture A/C systems, components, tools and equipment; and A/Ccess to network with other mobile professionals. In addition to 35 hours of blockbuster training classes with 25 of the industry’s top trainers, the MACS 2019 Training Event and Trade Show includes a trade show featuring the experts who design and manufacture A/C systems, components, tools and equipment, a golf tournament and multiple networking opportunities in relaxed social settings.
MACS keynote speaker is Jimmy Shine of Orange County, California, the owner of Shine Speedshop and reality TV star from shows, “American Icon: The Hot Rod,” “Hard Shine,” “Weaponizers,” “Car Warriors” and “Rockin’ Roadsters.”
A complete list of events for the MACS 2019 Training Event and Trade Show is available on the MACS website at: www.macsw.org
