Ferrill’s Auto Parts named a finalist in PLU awards program for family businesses

An Arlington business, Ferrill’s Auto Parts, Inc. doing business as Pull A Part, is among the winners of the 2008 Washington Family Business Awards, presented by the Family Enterprise Institute at Pacific Lutheran University.

October 23, 2008 4:54 pm

An Arlington business, Ferrill’s Auto Parts, Inc. doing business as Pull A Part, is among the finalists of the 2008 Washington Family Business Awards, presented by the Family Enterprise Institute at Pacific Lutheran University.

Ferrill’s Auto Wrecking started in May 1954 as a small repair shop in Lynnwood and has become the largest self-service auto recycling company in Western Washington. Now called Pull A Part, the company has three facilities serving Western Washington. The third-generation of the Ferrill family remains involved in managing the company and serving on the company’s board of directors. Even families of employees have continued to work at Pull A Part.

Our managers and owners participate in supporting our local communities, according to Bruce Thomson and Mindy Ferrill. They are involved in local Rotary Clubs, chambers of commerce, the Community College Foundation, and other organizations.

“This is our way of giving back to those who have helped us succeed,” said Mindy Ferrill.

“Our mission is to run an environmentally sound business supplying automotive products while helping our employees achieve their goals and actively supporting our community.

The award will be presented following a forum for family business leaders, owners and advisors Nov. 14 at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hotel. The forum, “Being Competitive in Tough Times,” will include a keynote address by Teresa Russell, chairperson of West Coast Paper, a third-generation family business. A panel discussion will feature Northwest family business leaders including Tomoko Moriguchi Matsuno, CEO of Uwayjimaya, and Steve Loeb, CEO of Alaska Distributors, Inc. Douglas McKenna, an executive coach and leadership training consultant, will present an interactive discussion on how to lead family firms.

Ferrills won in the medium sized business category with 50 to 250 employees.

Firms are judged on their innovative business strategies and practices, performance, family and business links, contributions to community and industry, multi-generation family business involvement, and longevity.

The public is welcome to attend the forum which costs $70 per person. The registration deadline is Nov. 11, with limited late registration available until Nov. 14.

To register or learn more, contact PLU at 253-535-7250 or prattca@plu.edu. In addition to PLU, co-sponsors of this year’s event are KeyBank, Laird Norton Tyee, MCM and the Puget Sound Business Journal.