UAP wins Gold in 2026 TITAN Business Awards for centennial campaign

UAP Inc. earned a Gold Winner spot in the 2026 TITAN Business Awards for a campaign marking its 100th anniversary. The win recognizes an employee-driven celebration that blended brand storytelling, history and a forward-looking message for Canada’s automotive aftermarket.

Why it matters: - UAP’s Gold win puts a 100-year-old Canadian automotive parts distributor in the global spotlight for brand storytelling and internal culture. - The award recognizes a centennial campaign that turned a corporate milestone into a broader message about continuity, people and future growth. - The recognition matters for Canada’s automotive aftermarket because UAP serves repair facilities, fleet operators and automotive professionals across the country.

What happened: - UAP Inc. was named a Gold Winner in Season 1 of the 2026 TITAN Business Awards. - The company won in the Company & Organization – Corporation category for the UAP 100th Anniversary Celebration. - The TITAN Business Awards is organized by the International Awards Associate. - Season 1 drew more than 5,100 entries from organizations and professionals worldwide. - Genuine Parts Company submitted the entry on behalf of UAP.

The details: - UAP founded in 1926 and marked 100 years of service to Canada’s automotive aftermarket with the campaign. - The campaign used the theme “Leading the Way.” - The program included a cinematic manifesto film, an original soundtrack performed by UAP team members and a limited-edition commemorative magazine. - The manifesto film framed UAP’s century-long history with an emotional, forward-looking narrative. - Joint narration from UAP’s outgoing and incoming presidents underscored leadership continuity. - The commemorative magazine documented UAP’s history, achievements, people and future direction. - UAP found musical talent through a nationwide search and brought seven employees from different regions and functions to a professional recording studio in Montreal. - The employee-created song became the emotional centerpiece of the campaign. - The initiative blended corporate storytelling, employee engagement and brand building. - UAP is a subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company and operates through its NAPA network, distribution centers and service locations. - UAP says it serves thousands of repair facilities, fleet operators and automotive professionals across Canada.

Between the lines: - The campaign was designed to make the centennial feel like a living culture story, not just a backward-looking anniversary recap. - The employee participation likely helped the entry stand out because the award judging emphasized execution, impact and authenticity. - The win also gives UAP a public proof point for its ability to connect legacy with a modern brand narrative. - Thomas Brandt, spokesperson for the International Awards Associate, said the winners were distinguished by how well strategy translates into results and how consistently that performance is sustained over time.

What’s next: - UAP is expected to continue using the centennial campaign as a platform for its next chapter of leadership and brand positioning. - The company’s award-winning entry is available here. - For further information, contact Angie Griffin, Director, Global External Communications, at Angie_Griffin@genpt.com.

The bottom line: - UAP’s Gold win shows how a centennial campaign can function as both a celebration and a strategic message about where a legacy brand is headed next.