Executive Interview with Howard Kesten, President and Founder of Workboards
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Howard Kesten, president and founder of Workboards, which launched the automotive job site, aftermarketJobs.com, in December 2003. A two-time guest speaker at AAPEX, Kesten is also founder and CEO of APA Search, Inc., an executive search and human resources consulting firm serving the automotive industry. In 18 years, he has placed more than 1,600 automotive professionals. Join us as Kesten provides an introduction to aftermarketJobs.com and shares with us his predictions for the future of the aftermarket and the job market.
School Auto Center Revs Up Students
Alex Kosterman, Kevin Bendorf and Matt Beier hunched over the shiny red Pontiac Sunfire, carefully inspecting the car’s leaky battery before cleaning it up and replacing it. The hands-on lesson on starting systems and batteries took place Tuesday in Racine, Wis.-based Park High School’s new automotive technology center, a 5,000-square-foot dream for the school’s automotive students. The investment bucks a national trend, as more and more high school auto shops are stalling despite a huge demand for skilled auto technicians. The most common roadblocks: the hefty cost of running automotive programs and a more intense focus on college preparatory classes.
KYB Launches Safety Center Program
KYB America LLC is launching the KYB Safety Center Program, a promotional program developed to help professional technicians receive training and technical service, as well as signage and functional items to help them grow their business. KYB America LLC is launching the KYB Safety Center Program, a promotional program developed to help professional technicians receive training and technical service, as well as signage and functional items to help them grow their business.
How’s Business?
There are some very strong signs that business will be good in 2004. Optimism among repair shop owners is as high as it’s ever been during the three years we have been tracking this data.
New Import Parts Specialist Certification Tests Available
Aftermarket firms can begin the new year with a competitive edge by encouraging employees and customers to take the newly updated Auto International Association (AIA) Import Parts Specialist and Master Import Parts Specialist certification tests. Better-trained counter personnel and service technicians are vital to ensuring quality repairs and satisfying import nameplate customers. These tests address the pressing need for professionals with knowledge and training to help drive improved sales and provide the best customer service to import nameplate owners.
Walker Exhaust Announces Special Spring Trade Promotion
Walker Exhaust is offering a special spring trade promotion that enables undercar professionals to earn $25 gift cards, be entered into weekly $500 cash giveaways and participate in a sweepstakes drawing for a premium home theater system.
NASTF to Meet March 8 in Detroit
The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) will meet March 8 in conjunction with the SAE Congress in Detroit, Mich. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit. NASTF meets semi-annually with committees meeting throughout the year.
Delphi Integrated Service Solutions Appoints Three New Directors
Delphi has announced the appointment of three new directors in sales and marketing, operations and engineering for Delphi Integrated Service Solutions, part of Delphi Product & Service Solutions. Delphi Integrated Service Solutions provides computer-implemented workflow management and vehicle diagnostic systems that enable service writers, shop owners and technicians to increase productivity and drive consumer satisfaction.
Executive Interview with John Washbish, President – Customer Relationship Management, Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group (AAG)
Every other week, aftermarketNews.com offers an interview with a high-profile individual 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.
More Than 300,000 Tests Taken in CCAR’s S/P2 Online Training
The Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair (CCAR) has surpassed 300,000 tests taken in its “S/P2” online training in Safety and Pollution Prevention for the automotive repair industry.