From left, Lisa Richardson, Ed Jones, Scot Holloway and Mark Pfleeger enjoy the Miami weather at the ETI welcome reception.

By Jennifer Clements, Editor, TechShop

The team from aftermarketNews’ sister publication TechShop recently traveled to Miami Beach, Fla., to attend the Equipment and Tool Institute’s ToolTech conference at The Gansevoort Hotel May 3-5. More than 110 industry professionals representing 55 companies were in attendance.

ToolTech gave attendees a chance to learn about changing industry trends and standards and how they’ll affect the Shop of Tomorrow from industry experts such as Dave Hobbs, senior trainer for Delphi; Mike Hasinec, vice president of operations, Penske Truck Leasing; Tom Kotenko, general manager, Snap-on Business Solutions; Bob Armstrong, manager, Automotive Equipment & Supplies, Bridgestone Retail Operations LLC; George Hoffman, manager, Automotive Assets, buyer and facilities manager, Sears Automotive; Chip Keen, president, Garage Operator, Inc.; Nick Cosimano, president/CEO, Carma Systems, Inc.; and John Jenkins, automotive consultant, CAS New England.

“This year, new technology has permeated into most aspects of our business from Heavy Duty Diesel (OBD II, A/C, emissions standards) to Air Conditioning (new refrigerant, HYCF 1234, new leak detection requirements) to Collision and Wheel Service,” said ETI’s outgoing president Mike Cable (vice president of sales at RTI Technologies). “For years, ETI has stayed on the cutting-edge of new technologies, bringing our members the latest information and market research and pursuing the OEMs for information.”

During ETI’s Business Meeting, Cable introduced new president Alan Tecmire (senior account executive, ETAS – Bosch). In his first speech as president, Tecmire said, “We’ve navigated a tough economic time and I feel we’re coming out strong.”

ToolTech is a great opportunity for industry professionals to network and meet with OEMs, tool and equipment companies, distributors and manufacturer reps and gain valuable insight from presentations by industry leaders. Tim Morgan, Elektron Inc.’s managing director, Americas, said, “Being able to network with other companies and finding the synergies has been great for our business.”

The Company Showcase at ToolTech gave exhibitors the opportunity to display their products and services. Redline Detection sponsored the Company Showcase and gave away an iPad; the winner was Bradley Stott from Ferrari North America.

Joe Dease, president, JohnDow Industries, found ToolTech a great place to speak with OEMs about potential ideas for new products. 

Among those seen at the Company Showcase included Paul and Sherry Louwers of Automotive Video Inc.; Jeffrey Murphy of RTI Technologies; Harlan Siegel of Launch Tech USA Inc.; Scot Holloway of Bartec USA; Brian Herron of Drew Technologies; and Dan Brass and Garret Miller of SPX Corp.

ToolTech 2012 will be held April 17-19 in Palm Springs, Calif.