SAN ANTONIO For the second consecutive year, a member of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance has received the AAIA Head of the Class Award in the Warehouse Distributor Category.
The Merrill Co. was named the 2013 winner of the award by AAIA. The award recognizes companies for outstanding support of employee education and training. Head of the Class winners see training and education as a high value investment in their people that benefits their employees, companies and the entire aftermarket industry.
"If you believe in your employees, they’ll rise to the occasion," said Dave Kimbell. Kimbell is the director of marketing for The Merrill Co. and also serves as the chairman of the Training and Education Committee for the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance. “At The Merrill Co., we do not view training as a cost, rather as an investment. Time and time again, we see that well-trained associates are more motivated and more focused on their careers. They have a better understanding of our customer-centric ‘Service is the Difference’ culture. Additional results include lower employee turnover, cost reductions, greater revenue generation and productivity improvement.”
“At the Alliance, we are particularly proud of The Merrill Co. becoming yet another Alliance member to win this prestigious award," said John Washbish, president and CEO of the Alliance. “Coming on the heels of Auto Parts Headquarters and Crow-Burlingame Co.’s wins last year, it speaks volumes about the quality of shareholders we have in the Alliance. Our members are committed to doing the right things and it is gratifying for them to be recognized with these awards."