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| In the 1990's, expansion continued, and accelerated. Highlights included the acquisition of its warehouse distributor, Norm Fieldgate Ltd. and institution of centralized warehousing for all Lordco stores in 1990. This dramatically increased Lordco's buying power, giving the Company a decided competitive advantage over the independents in the industry. |
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In 1994, Lordco purchased the assets of Cal-Van Auto Supply and immediately became a major player in the distribution of High Performance auto parts. Three of Cal-Van's stores were retained and reopened under the Lordco banner in mid-1994.
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Throughout the 1990's, new expansion sites were carefully located in key centres, in order to take full advantage of their proximity to existing and new clientele. But expansion also included a number of acquisitions of smaller independents. This was the case when Ed Coates first broke from traditional strategy to purchase stores in Trail and Castlegar in 1993.
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Success in the Kootenay region of B.C. opened new vistas of possibility for Lordco. In 1995, a store was purchased in Squamish, and in 1996, Lordco broke into the Okanagan market with the purchase of a store in Kelowna. In 1997, a large store was opened in the heart of Victoria.
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