Emmett Grant

Like so many of our Hall of Fame honorees tonight, Emmett Grant spent his entire career in the Automotive Aftermarket, guiding, leading, and often, pushing organizations through some of the largest change periods in the history of the aftermarket. Upon graduation from the prestigious Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Chicago, he was hired as a local sales representative with Moog-Canada, in 1964. By 1966, he had risen to the ranks of Ontario District Sales Manager and Canadian Operations Manager, overseeing both the Sales development of Moog, and managing its warehouse and

distribution activities.

As the aftermarket continued to grow and expand throughout the 60’s and 70’s, a new challenge was waiting for Emmett. In 1976, he moved to Moog’s headquarters in St. Louis Missouri, to become the National Sales Manager for North America, and to lead the sales charge all of Moog’s aftermarket sales. These were the beginning of the glory years for the Moog brand, which was quickly establishing itself as perhaps the most ICONIC brand in the entire aftermarket. With respect to all the other companies in the aftermarket, and their place in automotive history, the following that Moog achieved in the 60’s-90’s was unlike anything else in the industry. And Emmett had a front seat to it all, nurturing the brand development, nurturing the relationship with NASCAR, and growing the Moog brand to the runaway #1 position in the chassis category.

The 1980’s began the period of massive Industry consolidation. It was time for

Emmett to come home, and in 1980 he returned to Moog-Canada as its President. During the early 80’s, Warehouse Distributors Buying Groups became all the rage, as WD’s banned together under groups such as Auto Value, CARQUEST, AAAD, BIG A, Western Auto, Bumper to Bumper, and NAPA, consolidating their purchasing power, and leveraging Manufacturers into larger, more lucrative deals. It wouldn’t be long before the Manufacturers responded, consolidating their own portfolios, and in 1992, Emmett was appointed the President of Cooper Industries. The creation of Cooper Industries saw the amalgamation of Moog, Wagner Brake and Lighting, Everco, Champion Spark Plugs, and Belden Wire and Cable, under one operating entity. It was by far the largest manufacturer amalgamation in aftermarket history, and Emmett oversaw bringing these multiple cultures together under a single selling and warehouse operation. Copper Industries continue to grow and thrive under Emmett’s steady hand, throughout the 90’s until it was sold again in 1998, this time to a team led by Dick Snell of Federal Mogul. Once again, this was the largest manufacturer consolidation in aftermarket history, combining the OE resources of FM with the aftermarket stronghold of the Cooper brands. It was then when we were all introduced to the BHAG (Big, Hairy Audacious, Goal), and Emmett once again oversaw the successful integration of these 2 huge entities.

The final chapter of Emmett’s illustrious career saw him in the role of Lead

Consultant to Delphi Automotive out of Troy Michigan, drawing up plans for their

entry into the traditional aftermarket, and their successful launch of the Delphi

brand into the USA and Canadian markets.

Emmett was also a tireless supporter of the causes that are dear to him. He

served as Chairman of the AIA from 1985-86 and is a past recipient of the AIA

Distinguished Service Award. He was also Chairman of Federal Government

Advisory Board of Industry Standards and Regulations and served as a member of

the AIA Advisory Committee to the Federal Minister of Industry, while the

government was negotiating the initial North America Free Trade agreements.

Finally, Emmett was a long time Board member of the Shads R+R for Muscular

Dystrophy, helping to raise millions of dollars for the charity. Emmett continues to

reside in the Alliston Ontario area, enjoying retirement with his beloved wife

Gloria.