Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited | Introduction
Introduction
2180 Yonge Street
P.O. Box 770, Station K
Toronto, Ontario M4P 2V8
Canada
Telephone: (416) 480-3000
Fax: (416) 544-7715
Web site: http://www.canadiantire.ca
Public Company
Incorporated: 1927
Employees: 8,300
Sales: CAD 8.39 billion ($6.97 billion) (2004)
Stock Exchanges: Toronto
Ticker Symbol: CTR
NAIC: 441310 Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores; 441320 Tire Dealers; 444110 Home Centers; 447110 Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores; 448140 Family Clothing Stores; 454111 Electronic Shopping; 811191 Automotive Oil Change and Lubrication Shops; 811192 Car Washes
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited is one of the leading retailers in Canada. The company, aided by associate dealers, franchisees, and agents, operates the flagship Canadian Tire chain, which includes more than 450 stores from coast to coast. These stores offer a wide selection of automotive parts, accessories, and services; sports and leisure products; and household goods. About 85 percent of all Canadians live within a 15-minute drive of a Canadian Tire store; nine out of ten adult Canadians shop at one of these outlets at least twice a year; and 40 percent of Canadians shop at Canadian Tire every week. The company also offers online shopping via the Canadian Tire web site and runs the 40-unit PartSource automotive parts specialty chain. The Canadian Tire Petroleum unit is the nation's leading independent retailer of gasoline with about 250 gasoline filling stations, some of which include a convenience store and/or a car wash. Canadian Tire Financial Services finances and manages the Canadian Tire Options MasterCard program, which has more than 3.1 million cardmembers; markets insurance and warranty products; and offers emergency roadside assistance through the Canadian Tire Auto Club. The company also owns Mark's Work Wearhouse, operator of around 320 men's and women's clothing stores, including approximately three dozen L'É quipeur stores in Quebec; these outlets specialize in business casual and weekend clothing and workwear. Canadian Tire Corporation is a true national institution, so much so that it issues its own "money," was celebrated on a Canadian postage stamp, and has won the nation's highest honor, the Order of Canada. Martha Billes, a daughter of one of the company cofounders, is the controlling shareholder, owning a stake of more than 60 percent.