Montreal's Top Employers (2025) - Flipbook - Page 48
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MONTRÉAL’S TOP EMPLOYERS (2025)
UAP Inc. drives long-term opportunities for its people
R
ecruiting people to
work for UAP Inc. is an
easy sell for Mélanie
Robidas. Having found
the perfect work-life
balance for herself, Robidas
experiences the benefits of
working for a leader in Canada’s
automotive industry.
As a talent acquisition specialist
who started with the Montréalbased company five years ago,
Robidas now works with an
eight-person recruitment team to
staff UAP’s more than 700 stores
and distribution centres across the
country.
A major distributor and
merchandiser of automotive parts
and replacement accessories for
cars and heavy vehicles, UAP is
best known for its NAPA Auto
Parts brand. Founded in Montréal
in 1926, UAP is now a subsidiary of
Genuine Parts Company (GPC), a
global service provider of automotive and industrial parts.
“When people come to UAP,
they stay,” says Robidas. “We have
people who have been at UAP
over 45 years. It’s a good selling
point for me as a recruiter.”
Stéphan Rouillard, UAP’s
controller, hopes to be with the
company that long. After starting
as an accounting clerk during his
final year of university close to 30
years ago, he went on to earn his
chartered professional accountant
designation and work his way up
the corporate ladder.
“From one opportunity to
another, I’ve continued to grow
with the company,” he says. “I tell
people I have been choosing UAP
year after year.”
Next year, he and colleagues
will celebrate the company’s 100th
anniversary knowing that it is on
a solid financial footing. Last year,
the company made more than
20 acquisitions and continues to
grow, says Rouillard.
“We are a large company that
is agile, flexible and investing in
emergent technologies,” he says.
Recently, UAP also invested in
upgrading its Montréal headquarters. The new office space, which
opened in April 2024, is a modern,
UAP offers employees a healthy work-life balance and encourages them to look after their overall well-being
with generous time-off policies.
diverse workspace which includes
stand-up desks, lounges and
open spaces, as well as a games
room and a free gym available to
employees.
When people come
to UAP, they stay. We have
people who have been at UAP
over 45 years. It’s a good
selling point for me
as a recruiter.
— Mélanie Robidas
Talent Acquisition
Specialist
Robidas takes advantage of the
gym and trains up to four times a
week at lunch or after work. She
appreciates the flexibility her
employer offers and works two
days in the new office and the
remainder of the week from home.
“The work-life balance is wonderful,” she says. “I love my job,
but I don’t live for my work.”
She also appreciates the up
to four weeks of vacation that
UAP offers employees to start,
depending on their position and
experience, as well as the option
for one additional unpaid week
off. The company also offers
five personal days, an additional
wellness day for mental health
and one annual volunteer day.
UAP encourages its employees
to find a meaningful cause to
support. Last year, the company
was involved in more than 100
charities. Robidas volunteered
with colleagues to help local
women in need of shelter.
