Addressing the technical education and product support needs of automotive service professionals was one of the first “strategic initiatives” announced in 2014 by newly appointed Federal-Mogul Motorparts CEO Daniel Ninivaggi. In the past year this initiative, known as “Tech First,” has reached critical mass through the launch and continued expansion of the company’s Garage Gurus technical education network, its fleet of Web-connected “Gurus-On-The-Go” product technology vans as well as several other new resources now reaching thousands of North American automotive service locations.
“The central message behind Tech First is that Federal-Mogul Motorparts is willing to invest in the support automotive service professionals need to advance their careers and grow their businesses,” said Ninivaggi. “Vehicle service is a great career choice, particularly in an era of increasingly sophisticated onboard electronics and other advanced technologies. But, to remain in step with these changes, you need a supplier that will have your back. We have the products, brands, people and technical support resources to be that trusted partner.”
At the core of the Tech First initiative is Motorparts’ growing network of state-of-the-art Garage Gurus technical education centers, which offer on-site, online and on-demand training for professionals of all skill levels. Garage Gurus centers are now in operation in eight U.S. markets – Atlanta; Baltimore; the Bronx, New York; Chicago; Dallas/Fort Worth; Rancho Dominguez, California; South Florida; and Van Nuys, California. Additional locations, including Boston, Houston and suburban Detroit, are scheduled to open in the coming months. Each training center is staffed by ASE-certified “Gurus,” many of whom are former automotive technicians. Courses are offered in English and Spanish.
In addition to courses available on-site and via FMgaragegurus.com, Garage Gurus offers “lunch-and-learn” training sessions and other on-demand education through its fleet of 25 product technology vans. Operated by ASE-certified technical product specialists, these vans are capable of reaching hundreds of repair locations each week. The company plans to expand the fleet to 35 vehicles in early 2016.
To learn more about the Tech First initiative and Garage Gurus technical education network, contact your Federal-Mogul Motorparts supplier or Motorparts sales representative or visit FMgaragegurus.com.
