Aldon Auto Celebrates its 50th Anniversary

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

Allen Carter’s life has been full of twists and turns, and one of the most interesting detours he has taken has been the founding of Aldon Auto 50 years ago.

Allen moved back to Lamont to re-establish roots in 1970. At that time he proposed to his Uncle Leslie they go into the auto wrecking business as he, (Leslie), had been dabbling in salvage and scrap for years. While they didn’t go into partnership, Leslie did offer him the use of his land that was located adjacent to the Town of Lamont. Allen’s brother Ian was living with Allen and his family, and they forged a partnership that would last 35 years. Allen recalls, “On July 3, 1970, we cut the grass and built an approach to the land. We fenced a 100 foot by 100-foot compound, and then bought an office outgrown by Park Investments. With the additional purchase of a Mercury tow truck for $500 we were in business. There were already three services in town so success wasn’t a shoo-in. Buying salvage vehicles primarily in Edmonton was a new venture as we really had not much idea what we were doing. We purchased used inventory interchange books and thus began the saga. By 1972 the Gulf Service Station on Highway 15 came up for lease. We purchased the business and stock from Jim Jeffremenko and inherited the mechanic Norman Trudgeon. Brother Ian took on the Gulf Bulk Fuel business for himself.” Ian then bought out Brian Henderson’s Vegreville Ambulance, and subsequently, Allen started services in Lamont, Redwater, Fort Saskatchewan, and Vilna. “By 1984 we had divested ourselves of our ambulance interests.” During that time, Terry had enrolled in NAIT, where he instigated his master plan and was about to change Aldon Auto and its recycling future. Terry completed his degree in business from the U of A while working at the business fulltime. He went on to say, “Our first major construction project by 1980 was the 40 foot by 100-foot woodframed metal-clad building, encompassing an office and shop. The second stage was built in 1982 being 200 feet by 60 feet, which included storage, shop, and offices. Tough times and a recession helped us to expand. It was possible to hire tradesmen and the Governmentbacked a $100,000 loan at nine percent for the addition.” Originally Aldon Auto was located on one acre of land, subsequently, it has expanded to encompass 99 acres. In 2013 they purchased in excess of 1,000 salvaged automobiles for the first time.

Terry Carter, the sole shareholder of Aldon Auto, knows the business inside and out having grown up in the industry. (Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Allen Carter spent 13 years in with Alberta Government Telephones. (Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Allen Carter has a love of all things vintage with many different makes and models of cars, trucks, snowmobiles as well as model trains and various antique household items and personal memorabilia. (Michelle Pinon/Photo)

The number of staff has grown to 18 fulltime employees. The longest serving employee has been with the company for 40 years. Meanwhile, Ian and his son Ryan established General Auto, a parts supplier in the Town of Lamont. Aldon Auto Salvage continues to evolve with Allen’s son Terry being the sole shareholder. Terry knows the business inside out, having been first introduced into it at the age of eight. “We anticipate major changes in the industry. Only time will tell if the next 50 will be as exciting.”