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John William Billes (1897 – November 1956) was a Canadian businessman and co-founder of Canadian Tire. Born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1922 he and his brother Alfred Jackson Billes bought Hamilton Tire and Garage Ltd. in Toronto.
J. William Billes (1897-1956) was a visionary entrepreneur who helped create one of the most successful businesses in Canadian history. He left his shares in Canadian Tire to the University of Toronto and 22 other charities, supporting the education of many young Canadians.
William Billes oversaw the most successful Canadian owned and operated franchise in the country’s history, that would expand into a nationwide network of dealer operated associate stores. He died unexpectedly in November 1956, at the age of 60, as a result of complications from pernicious anaemia.
- Canadian Tire Incorporates: 1927
- Postwar Years
- New President: Dean Muncaster
- Ownership Disputes
- 21st Century
Canadian Tire Corporation was launched by John William (J.W.) and Alfred Jackson (A.J.) Billes in 1922, when the two brothers purchased the Hamilton Tire and Garage Ltd., located in Toronto’sRiverdale neighbourhood. The pair bought the business for $1,800. The automotive market was growing; in 1927, Canada had the third highest car ownership per ca...
Toward the end of the war, Canadian Tire looked to expand further. To facilitate this, the company went public in 1944, selling 100,000 shares of stock at ten dollars apiece. This decision to go public was soon followed by A.J.’s development of a profit-sharing scheme with Canadian Tire employees, launched in 1946. Through the plan, the company red...
Once A.J. Billes cemented his hold as president of the company he cofounded, he began looking for successors. He gave direct control of the Canadian Tire flagship store at Yonge and Davenport to his eldest son, Fred, but he also began searching outside the family for a new leader. By 1964, A.J.’s doctors insisted that he step down as president, sin...
During the 1980s, the long-simmering disputes between the Billes family members erupted. In 1980, A.J. finally resigned from the company board when his wife Muriel passed, appointing his daughter, Martha. Rifts also began to emerge between the Billes family and Muncaster, namely over his expansion plans in Australia, A.J.’s desire to further expand...
Canadian Tire has undertaken several initiatives in its effort to remain competitive, particularly with the expansion of US-based chains like Walmart and Home Depot and growing competition from online retail services. The company homogenized the layout of Canadian Tire stores, using clearly delineated sections and providing information kiosks. In 2...
J. Alfred Billes 6/22/1983 would help them cover the $77 million cost of purchasing an additional 30 per cent voting interest from the estate of their uncle, J. W. Billes.
J. William Billes and his brother Alfred built Canadian Tire Corporation, a leading retailer of tires, auto parts and hardware. They introduced innovative practices such as dealer-owned stores, profit sharing and Canadian Tire money.
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In 1922, brothers and founders, John William Billes and Alfred Jackson Billes, pooled their money together and opened up the first retail store, Hamilton Tire and Garage Ltd., in downtown Toronto at Yonge and Gould.
