Alfred Jackson Billes facts for kids

A.J. (Alfred Jackson) Billes, CM (December 1, 1902 - April 3, 1995) was a Canadian businessman. He is best known as a co-founder of Canadian Tire, a very popular store across Canada. The letters "CM" after his name mean he was a Member of the Order of Canada, a high honour given to people who have made a big difference in Canada.

The Start of a Big Idea

Alfred Jackson Billes was born in Toronto, Ontario. When he was 16, he started working as a clerk at a bank. This job helped him save money.

In 1922, Alfred used his savings to team up with his brother, William. They bought a small business in Toronto called Hamilton Tire and Garage Ltd.

The next year, the brothers moved their business to downtown Toronto. They started changing it from just a garage into a place where people could also buy things.

Building Canadian Tire

In 1927, the Billes brothers officially created a company. They called it Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd. This was the beginning of the Canadian Tire we know today.

By 1934, Canadian Tire opened its first official "associate store" in Toronto. These stores were owned and run by local people, but they were part of the bigger Canadian Tire family.

The brothers worked hard to grow the business. They started selling more than just tires. Soon, Canadian Tire offered many automotive products, as well as supplies for homes and gardens.

Growing Across Canada

The Billes brothers helped open many owner-operated stores. These stores spread across the province of Ontario. Then, they expanded into Quebec and the Maritime Provinces.

In 1966, Canadian Tire opened a store far away in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This showed how much the company was growing.

By 1980, Canadian Tire was a huge success. It was one of the most successful Canadian-owned businesses in the country's history. It had a network of stores all over Canada.

Leading the Company

Alfred's brother, William, passed away in 1956. After this, Alfred Billes took over as the president of Canadian Tire. He led the company for the next ten years.

He continued to be a director for the company until 1988. When he stepped down as president, Dean Muncaster became the new leader.

Awards and Recognition

Alfred Billes received important honours for his work. In 1976, he became a Member of the Order of Canada. This award recognizes Canadians who have made outstanding contributions.

In 1990, he was also voted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. This honoured his important role in the Canadian economy.

Alfred Billes' Family and Legacy

Alfred Billes married Marjorie Kitchen Baldry. He had three children from his first marriage: sons Fred and David, and a daughter named Martha.

Alfred Billes passed away in 1995. He was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto.

Canadian Tire Today

Today, Canadian Tire is a very large company. Its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. This means that many people can own a small part of the company.

After Alfred Billes' death, his daughter Martha Billes bought out her brothers in 1997. She gained a controlling interest in the company. This means she has a major say in how Canadian Tire is run.

To honour Alfred Billes, a large distribution centre was named after him. This centre, located in Brampton, Ontario, is called the A.J. Billes Centre. It helps get products to all the Canadian Tire stores.