As CEO of B & W Auto Supply, located in Portland, Mich., Foote has grown the business over 60 years
Lansing, Mich.—The Michigan Automotive Parts Association (MAPA) has honored Wayne Foote, CEO of B & W Auto Supply, located in Portland, Mich., as recipient of its 2021 MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award during MAPA Industry Day, Sept. 15, at the Holiday Inn Gateway Centre in Flint, Mich.
Foote’s accomplishments in Michigan’s automotive aftermarket over the last 60 years were highlighted. Presenters were Wayne’s sons, Randy and Greg Foote.
Created in 2010, the MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award is designed to honor the excellence of individuals in the automotive aftermarket industry who have made significant impacts in the industry and/or the association. The recipient must have/had an extensive career in the industry, contributed significantly to the automotive aftermarket industry in Michigan, and made accomplishments within his or her local community.
About Wayne Foote
On Nov. 1, 1961, Foote and his uncle, Bob Cook, went into partnership to purchase Curtis Auto Supply in Portland, Mich., from Russel Curtis. They renamed the store B & W Auto Supply and operated from that location until they moved into a larger building across the street in 1963, according to a news release.
Foote and Cook continued to grow the business until Foote purchased Cook’s half of the business in 1970. His wife, Joan Foote, joined the company and ran the bookkeeping for all stores until 2017.
In 1971 Wayne purchased Grand Ledge Auto Parts in Grand Ledge, Mich. He saw this as an opportunity not only because of the auto parts business, but it also included a machine shop and an auto body paint mixing business.
In 1973 Wayne incorporated under the legal name Wayne’s B & W Auto Supply, Inc. Later in 1973, he purchased H & H Automotive in Ionia, Mich. In 1986, Clinton Automotive was purchased and renamed St. Johns Auto Parts. This purchase included the auto parts business, a machine shop and radiator repair shop.
In 1992 Perry Automotive was purchased and this store also included a machine shop. In the year 2000 Foote saw a dramatically changing market in Ionia. He closed the store in Ionia and concentrated his resources to the betterment of the other four stores. In 2012, Durand Auto Parts was purchased from General Auto Parts-CARQUEST.
He built the businesses to five locations with 45 employees and built new stores in four locations: Portland in 1997, St. Johns in 2002, Grand Ledge in 2004, Durand in 2013. In 1997, he donated the previous Portland location building to the City of Portland so they would be able to build a new City Hall with an expanded parking lot.
Accomplishments included: member of MAPA for more than 46 years; MAPA board member 2012-2017; CARQUEST Jobber of the Year 1987; City of Portland Business of the Year 2015. Foote has Dedicated his entire career giving his insight of the importance of the independent auto parts jobber to the local community, according to MAPA. This includes staying in constant contact with suppliers at all levels, employees, customers and the community as a whole.
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