Groupe Del Vasto announced that Lucy and John Del Vasto have become Lifetime Trustees of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation by donating to support the foundation’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities for the benefit of the automotive aftermarket industry. The company said the donation demonstrates the Del Vastos’ commitment to social responsibility and their dedication to the future of the automotive aftermarket.
“We are extremely happy to give back to an industry that has been so good to us,” the Del Vastos said. “We are very proud of our long-term commitment to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation and the numerous recipients who will benefit from its scholarship program. Our participation will help feed our industry’s success for the foreseeable future by strengthening our aftermarket workforce”.
Since 1986, the foundation has provided funding for aftermarket education programs and research. By awarding grants throughout each year, the foundation financially supports the continued development and distribution of courses in ever-broadening areas. By supporting such academic offerings, the foundation and its donors ensure that education will have a stabilizing influence in the increasingly complex aftermarket, Groupe Del Vasto said.
Last year, the foundation awarded 461 scholarships worth $731,000. Lucy and John Del Vasto were formally recognized for their role in the foundation during Industry Week in Las Vegas from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3.
Founded in 1986, Groupe Del Vasto, a private company with headquarters in Montreal, Quebec, is a distributor and marketer of automotive parts for vehicle repair. The company currently serves Eastern Canada through its eight distribution centers in the provinces of Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia, under the name Vast-Auto Distribution. Operating the Auto Value, Auto Mecano, M 360 Mechanic, Monsieur Transmission and OCTO Auto Service Plus banners, Groupe Del Vasto offers its customers a wide range of parts, marketing programs as well as training and business management systems. The company is also a shareholder of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance.
