Automotive Service Professionals Reception Scheduled for Nov. 3 in Las Vegas
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) and the International Automotive Technicians’ Network (iATN) will jointly sponsor the fourth annual Service Professionals Industry Reception Thursday, Nov. 3, from 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m. in Event Center B at The Mirage in Las Vegas. The event will be an opportunity for service professionals to network and to visit 50-plus exhibitors that will be on hand to showcase new products, services and technologies.
Friend or Foe? Evaluating China’s Impact on the Global Economy and Your Business
There’s a lot of talk these days about China and how its infrastructure is a growing market for U.S. auto parts. These facts* prove it: U.S. automotive suppliers exported $835 million in parts to the Chinese economic area in 2004; total parts exports to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan last year represent a 16.4% increase
Top 5 Tools
Brian Courtney Allied Fleet Services of Texas Pasadena, TX Ingersoll-Rand 231c 1/2" Impact Wrench – It never fails to deliver. It’s 16 years old, and I’ve only had to replace the anvil. Saves my money, for sure! Raytek Non-Contact Thermometer Raynger ST2 – I don’t have to wait for a temp reading from
Finding and Hiring New Recruits
What are the three most important factors in a business’ success? Location, location, location? Nope – they are staff, staff, staff. Personnel experts contend that poor hiring decisions are the main causes of absenteeism and poor productivity, which ultimately result in employee turnover and profit loss. The smaller your business, the more important each person.
Finding New Recruits: Hiring New Techs Involves Checking References and Interviewing Carefully
st of the time, a position in a small shop goes to someone who knows someone. This could be the friend of a customer, a former employee of a colleague or a friendly competitor (not so friendly, perhaps, if you are raiding its staff) or a recommendation by a supplier who knows your operation and
Fleet Management and Warranty Companies: What’s the Difference?
In the case of a warranty company, the company has a direct vested interest in the costs of the repairs. Such companies sell a repair contract on a single vehicle where certain items on the vehicle are specifically named. The company will pay for, or toward, the repair of those specifically named items within the
The Pricing Game: Technology Puts Part Prices in the Hands of Your Customers
What is the right amount for parts mark up? 20%, 35%, 100%, or do you just go by the retail price of a part as determined by the manufacturer, jobber or WD? This is a tough question in terms of business practices and ethics. This gray area can get a lot of people in trouble.
Aftermarket Update
Las Vegas – It’s on everyone’s mind: How do you find better customers? That question was posed during a special event held during Independent Warehouse Distributors’ (IWD) recent national membership meeting. IWD’s meeting, held March 30 through April 1, was the 20th annual such meeting for the Connecticut-based program group. It was held at the
Aftermarket Update: April
MEMA Releases Educational Counterfeiting Supplement Distributors, retailers and automotive technicians looking for more information about automotive parts counterfeiting need to look no further. The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) recently released an informational supplement focusing on the issue counterfeiting in the auto parts industry. MEMA’s Counterfeiting publication was designed to serve as a resource
Yes, It is Rocket Science!
W hen I was a young man, I remember my dad saying something to the effect that working on cars wasn’t exactly rocket science. He was right. In the days of carburetors and contact point ignition systems, a mechanic didn’t need much diagnostic equipment. All you needed was a timing light to check spark timing,