A Northern Ontario father and son duo is making waves in Canada’s automotive industry. Robin and Cory Lafortune, local owners of Fountain Tire Val Caron, in Greater Sudbury, have been named the company’s Most Valuable Players for 2024. Their exceptional leadership, dedication to safety, and deep community roots have set them apart from 142 store owners across Canada.

 “Robin and Cory lead equally with their heads, their hearts and their hands,” said Jason Herle, Chief Executive Officer at Fountain Tire. “They gain the trust of many by caring greatly for their team and customers alike. Their commitment to growth and safety is second-to-none, and they represent Fountain Tire proudly in the local community. Their approach embodies Fountain Tire’s philosophy of ‘we’re on this road together.’”

 Fountain Tire Val Caron opened in 2012 and has steadily grown since. Under the Lafortunes’ local leadership, sales have increased consistently year-over-year, and the size of the physical store has doubled. What started as a team of five has now grown to 20 associates, including automotive service technicians, tire technicians and service advisors.

 The family legacy is built on deep automotive industry experience and the opportunity to own equity in their own store.Robin managed a tire retread plant in Sudbury for twenty years before becoming a partner with Fountain Tire in 2012. Cory started working with tires right out of high school and moved through the ranks with a competitor before joining his dad as a Fountain Tire owner in 2016.

 To be named MVPs together, said the duo, is a unique honour.

 “We’re the first father and son combination to be named MVP,” said Robin Lafortune. “It’s surreal to see your name on that trophy alongside prestigious Fountain Tire leaders; to see it next to your son’s is even more special.” 

 “This has been an incredible moment,” added Cory Lafortune. “Working with family isn’t easy, but we’ve proven that as long as we work together with the best interests of our customers in mind, the store will succeed. We always have the support of one another, and from our network of Fountain Tire owners across Northern Ontario.”

 Awarded annually since 2004, the Most Valuable Player is selected from owners across Fountain Tire’s network of 167locations. Nominees are graded on several business success markers, including leadership, community involvement, customer relationships and safety.

 The 2024 award was given at Fountain Tire’s annual Owners’ Convention in March. Additional award recipients were:

• Rookie of the Year: Ryan McHollister of Ladner, BC;
• Most Improved Retail: Ron Kotila of Sudbury (Barrydowne), Ontario; and,
• Most Improved Mixed: Steve Dempster of Estevan, Saskatchewan. 

 For more information on Fountain Tire, visit fountaintire.com.