Bestbuy Distributors’ annual Buy & Sell meeting took place in Montreal in early September, providing the perfect occasion to celebrate the opening of its new distribution centre in the city.

Four days were dedicated to business meetings between shareholders/store managers and a carefully selected group of about forty suppliers. The rapid-fire meeting format allowed shareholders to gain valuable insight into new products, programs, and opportunities directly from their supplier partners.

The event brought together Bestbuy shareholders representing a strong national presence from coast to coast.

Speaking at the event, Nick Brunet, President of Bestbuy Distributors, highlighted why Montreal was selected for this year’s Buy & Sell. “Our shareholder base spans every region of Canada, and the network has seen remarkable growth in recent years. Quebec and Eastern Canada represent strong opportunities for further development. Establishing a presence in Montreal is no coincidence—it aligns perfectly with the opening of our new distribution centre.”

It’s worth noting that this distributor, now aligned with the purchasing power of Federated Auto Parts, provides quality replacement parts to repair shops of every type through its shareholder-owned stores. In addition to in-store and online sales, it also supports a wide network of affiliated Best Auto service providers across Canada.

According to Brunet, not only is there great potential to expand the number of shareholders and auto parts stores under the banner across Canada, but the network of affiliated repair shops could also quickly take root in new areas. “We’re a Canadian and independently owned company that offers minimal corporate bureaucracy to its shareholders,” he says. “We’ve been the industry’s best-kept secret for too long, but now we have all the tools to make a lot more noise.”

Brunet didn’t hesitate to express this determination during his speech at the gala evening. “We are here to exchange ideas, to celebrate our victories, of course, but above all to plan the next chapter of our journey!”

Building Momentum in Eastern Canada

Autosphere was invited to tour Bestbuy Distributors’ newly opened distribution centre in Montreal’s Saint-Léonard neighbourhood. With its strategic location near major highway interchanges, the facility is set to streamline the flow of parts throughout Quebec and Eastern Canada.

The new distribution centre is poised to play a vital role in supporting a growing customer base that demands quick, reliable access to a broad range of replacement parts.

At the inauguration, President Nick Brunet emphasized that the new centre’s inventory will be managed with flexibility and scalability in mind. “Our partnership with Federated gives us access to valuable market intelligence,” he noted. “Leveraging this data allows us to stay even more relevant to our shareholders and customers. With the new Montreal distribution centre, we’re better positioned than ever to deliver the right parts, through our stores, to the repair centres that keep Canadians moving.”

By opening this site, Bestbuy enhances its distribution network to three centres coast-to-coast, reinforcing its commitment to national growth.

A Well-Deserved Recognition

During the gala evening on September 9, held in the elegant ballroom of the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Bestbuy Distributors took time to celebrate shareholder milestones. Commemorative plaques were presented to mark decades of loyalty and partnership:

• Halton Automotive (40 years)
• Central Transport & Refrigeration (40 years, not present in photo)
• Den-Paul Distributors (25 years)
• A & A Discount Auto Parts and Kobrex (15 years)
• Ameen’s Auto Parts (10 years)
• Auto Parts Authority and Sako Auto Parts (5 years, Sako not present in photo)

For shareholders, partners, and the Bestbuy team, it was an emotional moment—especially inspiring for newer members of the Bestbuy family.

Supplier recognition followed, with awards going to U.S. Motor Works, Dorman, Mevotech, and Dayco for their strong collaboration in 2024. The evening’s highest honour, the prestigious Horace J. Pratt Vendor of the Year Award, was presented to ProMax, underscoring the company’s outstanding partnership with Bestbuy shareholders.