Castrol SYNTEC Blend DIFM Sales Increase 80 Percent in 2003
Castrol Consumer North America offers operators a choice between conventional and synthetic motor oils, with Castrol SYNTEC Blend, a part synthetic motor oil, which provides added engine protection for severe driving conditions.
Motorists Can Save Thousands by Repowering Their Engines, Says ERC
A “totaled” engine no longer means having to purchase a new car. Today’s car owners have another option according to the Engine Repower Council (ERC) — purchasing a repowered engine. The ERC is working to promote repowered engines as a viable alternative for consumers.
DST Asks: Do You Sell from Inventory Locations that are Not Your Own or Are You Making Plans To?
The old maxim “You can’t sell from an empty shelf” has become outdated. Why? Because technology can ensure that shelves are never bare, at least from the customer’s standpoint, with the advent of the Virtual Inventory Network (VIN) — a term coined by DST to encompass B2B, B2C, and Peer-to-Peer e-commerce. A VIN, also sometimes referred to as a Virtual Sales Network, can provide leverage and cohesiveness of shared inventory across multiple trading partners both up and down and across the supply chain.
Akebono Receives Vendor Excellence Award from Monro Muffler Brake
Akebono Corp. has been awarded the 2003 Vendor Excellence Award from Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. Monro recognized Akebono for the successful launch of ceramic brake pads throughout the Monro chain. Akebono began supplying ceramic brake pads to Monro in late 2002.
Executive Interview with Tony Perticari, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Crown Remanufacturing
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Tony Perticari, a 35-year veteran of the automotive parts industry. Perticari joined Philadelphia-based Crown Remanufacturing in 1986. He currently serves as vice president of sales and marketing for the company and is responsible for all NAFTA and overseas sales and marketing activities. Join us as Tony Perticari tells us what makes Crown tick, and what it takes to stay ahead of the pack. He also shares with us his predictions for the future of the reman industry, and the company.
DST Asks: Can Your Business Measure Return on Customer Investment?
Although most businesses have the means for measuring their Return On Investment, DST has coined the term Return on Customer Investment as a more accurate method of determining profitability of the customer base. Many firms believe that their largest customers, or the ones they have been supplying for the longest time, are the most profitable ones, but access to pertinent data can contradict those assumptions.
AutoZone EPS up 32 Percent
AutoZone has reported sales of $1.159 billion for its second fiscal quarter, which ended February 14, an increase of 3.4 percent from fiscal 2003. Same store sales, or sales for domestic stores open at least one year, were flat overall, the company said. Retail same store sales were down 1 percent while AZ Commercial same store sales were up 10 percent.
Parts Distributor Leverages Technology to Achieve Growth Profitability
Georgia parts distributor, Powertrain Inc. of Savannah, has reported a 25 percent growth in the company’s billed labor time since it began using DST Inc.’s DSTWare Service module to manage both its parts distribution and service business. With 33 percent of its business mix consisting of service, the Durrence’s have said they attribute this growth to the software’s ease of use.
Restructuring Charges Drive Midas to a Net Loss of $76.2 Million in 2003
Midas reported a net loss of $76.2 million — or $4.93 per diluted share — for fiscal 2003, which ended Jan. 3. Midas said the loss is primarily the result $102.6 million in charges related to its restructuring, completed in April. As part of the restructuring, Midas exited its wholesale distribution business and refocused its resources on retail franchising and real estate businesses.
Akebono Expands Aftermarket Friction Lineup
Akebono will launch the Akebono Premium Disc Brake Pads friction line next month. The line will feature 116 part numbers, covering a wide range of both late-model import and popular domestic vehicles.