Ed Coates

Even as a young boy, Ed Coates’ enterprising spirit and hard work ethic were evident. He grew his first job as a newspaper carrier from a single paper route into a delivery area covering his entire home town of Fort Langley, British Columbia. Years later as a young man, he progressed from delivery driver at R. Walker Auto Parts, to shipper, and, eventually, to counterperson through a series of well-earned promotions. It was at R. Walker Auto Parts where his love for the automotive industry took root. When the company was sold in 1974, Ed, always the visionary, saw an opportunity to secure his future in the industry. 

He partnered with his former parts store colleague, Roy Lord, and established the first Lordco Auto Parts store in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. Ed ran the counter, Roy managed outside sales, and Roy’s wife, Marlene, and Ed’s wife, Marlyn, shared administrative duties. They made one hire for the store opening: Mark Tupper. He became Lordco Auto Parts’ first delivery driver.  

Ed’s business strategy from opening day was simple, yet effective: Provide an unparalleled customer experience. This strategy along with a few calculated risks served the wholesale business well. By 1976, the Maple Ridge store moved its original 900-square-foot location to a bigger space a few blocks away. In 1977, the company added its first auto parts machine shop. In 1979, it added a second machine shop and opened a new store in Mission, with more expansion on the horizon.   

Ed bought Roy’s stake in the company in the early 1980s and turned his focus to growing the business. Despite facing economic challenges during the recession, Lordco persevered through strategic decisions and a commitment to customer service. 

In 1990 the company transitioned to a centralized distribution model by acquiring Norman Fieldgate Ltd. (NFL), an automotive distributor. The new facility served not only as Lordco’s first warehouse but as the site of the inaugural Lordco Auto Parts Annual Tradeshow, marking the beginning of what would become a significant industry event.   

Since 1993, the tradeshow has been hosted at the Pacific Coliseum and PNE Agrodome in Vancouver, a move that allowed for substantial growth in attendance and scale. This long-term location has accommodated an increasing number of attendees, with recent shows featuring over 400 vendors and attracting tens of thousands of industry professionals from across Western Canada. 

By 1995, Lordco Auto Parts locations could be found in the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Thompson Okanagan, and Vancouver Island regions of British Columbia. Despite all the success, Ed never forgot his roots and made community giving an important part of Lordco Auto Parts’ culture. He remained very down-to-earth, a quality that was reflected in his humble demeanor and commitment to community giving. 

In 2011, Ed was honoured with the Distinguished Service Award from the Automotive Industries Association of Canada, the association's highest accolade for individual members. This esteemed recognition celebrated Ed's exemplary service and leadership, which played a pivotal role in advancing Canada's automotive aftermarket industry. The following year, Ed's contributions were further acknowledged when he received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. This prestigious medal not only recognized his significant achievements within the automotive sector but also underscored his commitment to community service and to making a positive difference in society.

Throughout this journey, Ed often expressed that much of his success was due to the unwavering support of the Lordco Auto Parts team—a sentiment he carried with him as he built the company.

Ed passed away in 2014, leaving his wife and children to solidify their roles and responsibilities within the organization. His widow, Marlyn Coates, took on the role of President, while their children assumed key leadership positions: daughter Samantha Coates became Vice President of Operations, daughter Sarah Durant stepped in as Vice President of Marketing, son Ian Coates took over as Vice President of Sales, and daughter Candace Gottschalk became Vice President of Human Resources. 

As a tribute to Ed and his love for the automotive industry, the family established the Ed Coates Memorial Foundation, a charitable organization supporting students pursuing an automotive career. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial assistance, ensuring others who share Ed’s passion have the opportunity to pursue a career in the automotive industry.  

The Coates family continues to build on Ed’s legacy.  As Canada’s largest privately held automotive parts distributor and Western Canada’s largest distributor and retailer of aftermarket parts and accessories, the company employs over 2,400 people and operates 90 retail locations in British Columbia and Alberta, all while embracing Ed’s philanthropic spirit.