BWD Automotive Announces Vehicle Service Professional Rewards Program
BWD Automotive has launched a new Vehicle Service Professional (VSP) Rewards program, designed to foster, preserve and enhance the relationship among automotive repair technicians, distribution customers and BWD Automotive. The goal of VSP Rewards is to provide today’s professional automotive technician with up-to-date educational and reference tools required by an increasingly complex automotive repair industry.
Herman Trend Alert: Outsourcing, Insourcing, Resourcing, Flexsourcing
Worker-employer relationships are changing. In addition to full-time, part-time and job-sharing options, employers are developing and enhancing alternative relationships with other employers and individuals in contingent arrangements. Over the next few years, outsourcing will increase. For-profit corporations, not-for-profits, government agencies and school systems will all distribute work to outside contractors. As more small companies are formed to meet the exploding need, expect an increase in the number of outsourced service providers.
Brake Parts Inc. Launches Raybestos Spring Brake 2004 Promotion
Brake Parts Inc. has announced its plans for the Raybestos Spring Brake 2004 promotion, which will run April 1 through June 30. When professional service technicians purchase an open stock order of superior quality Raybestos brand brakes from their participating WDs, they will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of premium items by redeeming points, as well as receive entry forms for the 2004 Spring Brake sweepstakes.
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.
Federal-Mogul’s Champion, Wagner Lighting Brands Honored For Marketing Excellence
Federal-Mogul’s Champion spark plugs and Wagner lighting brands were honored in two recent international marketing competitions held in New York City. The Champion spark plugs “Champion Powers All” integrated marketing campaign was a finalist winner, and received a certificate of distinction in the 2004 AME (Advertising Marketing Effectiveness) Awards competition. Federal-Mogul’s Wagner lighting marketing team was also a finalist winner and recipient of a certificate of distinction in the 46th annual TV, Cinema and Radio Advertising competition of the prestigious New York Festivals.
CBS Segment Featuring ASA’s Ron Pyle Sparks Criticism from Insurers, Repairers
The Automotive Service Association’s (ASA’s) Chief Staff Executive Ron Pyle was recently featured in two CBS programs that addressed the issue of insurer-owned body shops. A number of insurers and repairers responded negatively to the segment, including the National Auto Body Council (NABC), which sent a stern letter to CBS News stating that the segment didn’t live up to its sensationalized billing, when Dan Rather told the viewing audience to stay tuned to see how consumers are possibly being ripped off by collision repair shops.
High Schoolers Earn Certifications from Industry
A diploma isn’t the only important document that some students have in hand when they graduate from high school these days. A growing number of students, educators say, are graduating with specific, industry-defined skills certifications that can have immediate value in the job market. Industries in which such certification is available include computer maintenance, automotive repair, nursing, graphic arts and food service.
ASA Chief Staff Executive Addresses Consumer, Insurer Issues on Two CBS Programs
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) and its Chief Staff Executive Ron Pyle played a significant role in two CBS programs that addressed the issue of insurer-owned body shops. Pyle was recently interviewed at ASA’s headquarters in Bedford, Texas, and appeared Wednesday, Feb. 11, on the “CBS Evening News” during its “Eye on America” segment. On Thursday, Feb. 12, Pyle provided follow-up coverage on this issue when he was interviewed again by CBS during an appearance on “The Early Show.”