R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Looks at the Ways WDs Are Handling Rising Gas Prices
As if trying to succeed in this industry wasn’t challenging enough, the past few months have made it even more difficult as gas prices have risen to more than $3 per gallon in some parts of the nation. Today, the national average for a gallon of gas is $2.77, nearly double what it was just one year ago. Every driver in the U.S. is feeling the pinch and taking steps to ease the burden, but what do you do if your business relies on a vehicle (or a fleet of vehicles) to transport parts to jobbers and installers? We asked three WDs from across the country how they are dealing with the rising cost of fuel.
Executive Interview with Mac McGovern, Director of Training, KYB America
A successful independent shop owner for more than 30 years, Mac McGovern joined KYB as director of training in August of this year. Considered one of the aftermarket’s leading trainers and advisors, McGovern is implementing KYB’s innovative Ride Control Solutions from KYB program, which is helping to develop the understanding and co-operation between manufacturers, distributors and service centers in order to improve business practices and better take care of motorists’ needs.
Executive Interview with Charles E. Johnson, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Proliance International
Charley Johnson is president, CEO and director of Proliance International, Inc. based in New Haven, CT. Johnson joined Proliance (which was formed by the July 2005 merger of Transpro, Inc. and Modine Aftermarket Holdings) in March 2001, ending a broad search for a new CEO of Transpro. The company’s customers include the leaders in aftermarket automotive distribution, such as AutoZone, NAPA, Advance, Pep Boys, O’Reilly and CARQUEST, among others. AftermakretNews.com spoke with Johnson about the origins of the merger, the challenges ahead and how the name Proliance came to be.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask The Industry Learns How Hurricane Katrina Affected the Aftermarket
For this edition of Ask The Industry, we asked members of the industry who were affected by Hurricane Katrina how they are handling their recovery efforts. We talked to O’Reilly Automotive CEO and Co-President Greg Henslee, whose area stores sustained much damage, and Automotive Aftermarket Association of the Southeast (AAAS) President Randal Ward, whose members in the Alabama and Mississippi region were directly affected as well.
R.L. Polk & Co.’s Ask The Industry Wants to Know What are Busiest Times for Your Business?
This edition of ATI asks: For a variety of reasons, the late summer/early fall timeframe is among the busiest times for many companies in the aftermarket. Is this true for your company? To what do you attribute the extra workload? How does your company internally prepare for these times?
Executive Interview with Patricia Law, Vice President and General Manager of ANSA Automotive
Patricia Law, VP and general manager of ANSA Automotive, recently sat down with aftermarketNews.com and shared her 25-plus years of market experience and some insight on the aftermarket. In addition to managing ANSA’s Macon, GA, distribution facility, she also actively supports industry initiatives and associations. She is currently serving her second term on the board of directors for AIA (Auto International) a segment of AAIA. She also recently completed the University of the Aftermarket/Northwood University Leadership 2010 Program.
R.L. Polk & Co.’s Ask The Industry Wants to Know Who’s Going to AAPEX
This edition of ATI asks the simple question: Are you going to the AAPEX Trade Show in Las Vegas in November? If so, what is the primary benefit? If not, what keeps you from coming?
R.L. Polk & Co.’s Ask The Industry Wants to Know Who’s Going to AAPEX
This edition of ATI asks the simple question: Are you going to the AAPEX Trade Show in Las Vegas in November? If so, what is the primary benefit? If not, what keeps you from coming?
AAIA’s Kathleen Schmatz and Susan Medick Discuss the Aftermarket Financial Symposium
The upcoming first-ever Aftermarket Financial Symposium (AFS), presented by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and modeled after the highly successful Aftermarket eForum, will be geared toward CFOs, financial service providers, investment analysts, CPA firms and others with interests in the automotive aftermarket. aftermarketNews.com recently sat down with Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, AAIA and Susan Medick, chief financial and operations officer, AAIA, to find out what attendees can expect at the symposium.
Executive Interview with Duane Miller, Executive Director of GM Service and Parts business channels – GM Service and Parts Operations (SPO)
This Executive Interview features Duane Miller, who is the Executive Director of GM’s Service and Parts business channels (GM Service and Parts Operations [SPO]). Miller was appointed to his position back in April 2005. He took time from his busy schedule to discuss with AftermarketNews.com his new responsibilities, the outlook of ACDelco going forward and how “Real Car Guys” know ACDelco.
R.L. Polk & Co.’s Ask The Industry Looks to Find the Meaning of the Lifetime Warranty
Lifetime warranties often warranty a product that can’t possibly provide a lifetime of service. Do lifetime warranties serve a bona-fide marketing purpose or do they do more harm than good in the eyes of the consumer by making them believe a product will last longer than it was designed to?
Executive Interview with Jerry McCabe, Vice President, Communications & Marketing Services, Affinia
Every other week, aftermarketNews.com offers an interview with high-profile individuals in the automotive aftermarket. We give executives free rein to express their views on anything from the state of their corporations to recent legislative news to future trends in their niche markets. Here you see what matters to the newsmakers themselves. Our latest Executive Interview features Jerry McCabe, vice president, communications & marketing services, Affinia. McCabe shares his thoughts of the use of technology and standards in the industry.