AMN: How has your business changed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Ben Pewthers: Covid – 19 has changed the way we look at the total picture of our business from the standpoint of the end user and their concerns regarding safety, budget constraints, purchasing, health issues, and how to handle the product between co-workers.
AMN: Have you instituted any changes in your workplace as a result of the pandemic?
Ben Pewthers: Only essential personnel such as Shipping and Operations are currently working in the office on rotating schedules. All sales personnel are working remotely. Anyone working in the office must have their temperature taken and adhere to all safety directions given by state and local governments.
AMN: Tell us about the three segments of the aftermarket that you serve and the products you offer in each: automotive diagnostics, fluid maintenance and undercar.
Ben Pewthers: We offer a full range of diagnostic scanners, OBD readers, and modules covering Foreign, Domestic, and Heavy Duty.
AMN: What are your general feelings about the health of the aftermarket in the next 6-12 months, given the current economic situation?
Ben Pewthers: Yes! We have a new scanner releasing this quarter called the X-431 Turbo. Based on Android 9.0, with a quad-core 2.0GHz processor and 3GB memory. It features VINSCAN, remote diagnosis, repair library, quick scan, daily maintenance and comprehensive diagnostics.
AMN: Innovation is an important element of the Launch Tech culture. How does your company support and cultivate innovation among its employees?
Ben Pewthers: We just completed an assignment to research and report on trends, technology innovations, and feature requests from the channel. We then compiled the information to discuss as a team to apply those we deem acceptable to be incorporated into future product lines.