In this installment of "The Pulse," we offer a snapshot of data from Babcox Research examining brake friction from the perspective of technicians.

When asked what is a shop's primary source for brake friction, technicians in 2009 responded:

Jobber                54 percent
Retailer              14 percent
WD direct          18 percent
Car dealership   3 percent
Expediter           4 percent
Other                  7 percent

When asked why is that primary source a shop's first call, technicians responded:

Fastest delivery         25 percent
Best sales reps          29 percent
It's always available   40 percent
It's the only source     4 percent
Liberal returns policy 2 percent

For 10 years, Babcox Research and Counterman magazine have surveyed repair shops and technicians annually to determine where, how and why they source specific automotive parts and products. The resulting data has been published every fall in The Professional Automotive Repair Technician Survey (P.A.R.T.S.), in which Babcox Research surveys more than 300 technicians. See the 2010 edition of P.A.R.T.S. that will accompany the September 2010 issue of Counterman magazine.