Herman Trend Alert: Overtime to Increase
Under ideal conditions, employers have just the right number of employees to perform the work that needs to be done. Overtime payroll costs are minimal, incurred only in those rare instances when there is some unusual circumstance or a critical employee is ill or on vacation. Over the past few years, companies have reduced employment to minimum staffing levels. People have been asked to work extra hours from time to time on an “as-needed” basis. This strategy has been a preferred alternative to hiring more people and increasing fixed payroll costs.
Deadline for 2004 GAAS Scholarship Is March 31; Applications Available Online
The deadline to apply for a Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) scholarship – awarded to students planning an aftermarket career – is Wednesday, March 31. The scholarships are available to students in two-year technical college programs and vocational schools and four-year college programs.
ATMC Spring Conference to Focus on “Clean Diesel”
The Automotive Training Managers Council (ATMC) will hold its 2004 Spring Conference and Business Meeting on April 18-20 at the Holiday Inn Fairlane-Dearborn in Detroit, Mich. The conference will focus on heavy-duty/diesel emissions and new technologies. Numerous automotive presentations on clean diesels, new emissions-related systems and their impact on the service technician will be on the agenda.
Tenneco Offers New Limited Lifetime Warranties
Tenneco Automotive is promoting an expanded product guarantee program for 2004. Tenneco is now featuring limited lifetime warranties and a 90-day risk-free trial offer on premium Walker exhaust, Monroe shock and strut, DynoMax performance exhaust and Rancho off-road technologies. The new strategy will also enable aftermarket businesses to enhance bottom-line results while significantly increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty, according to Tenneco Automotive Vice President of Marketing Richard Alameddine.
ASA Announces Dates, Location, Theme for CARS 2004
The 2004 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) will be held Nov. 4-6. CARS 2004, sponsored by the Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) Mechanical Division, is an official event of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), held annually in Las Vegas. This year’s event will take place at a new venue — The Flamingo Las Vegas — more conveniently located near the Sands Expo Center, the home of the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX).
AutoZone Enhances Top Management Team, NAPA’s Steve Handschuh Named Senior VP
AutoZone (AZ) has announced new responsibilities and additions to the company’s senior management team. Steve Handschuh, current president of NAPA Auto Parts, has been named senior vice president of AZ commercial. Handschuh spent the last seventeen years at NAPA building its wholesale business. Mike Longo, currently senior vice president of store operations for AZ commercial and ALLDATA, has been named senior vice president for growth initiatives. Additionally, Brad Bacon, vice president and general manager of store operations, will become senior vice president of store operations.
Aftermarket Legislative Advocate Passes Away
A long-time friend of the aftermarket, Jack Heyler, died on Dec. 26, 2003 after a six-year battle with emphysema. Heyler was a tireless worker in support of the independent aftermarket, leading industry efforts to defeat legislation that would have extended state mandated emissions warranties to 10 years/100,000 miles; and to obtain passage of SB 1146, which mandated that car companies make emissions-related service information and diagnostic tools available to the independent service industry. He was active in the Automotive Service Counsels of California and the Society for Automotive Engineers, helping found the Service Technicians Society a SAE affiliate group.
Tenneco Automotive’s Walker Brand Launches Program to Boost Shops’ Exhaust Margins
Tenneco Automotive, manufacturer and marketer of Walker exhaust products, has launched a new product marketing and merchandising initiative designed to help shops recapture lost margins. At the heart of the program is an all-new Walker premium replacement muffler – the Quiet-Flow3 – which the company says delivers the precise sound, fit and guaranteed durability that is preferred by owners of late-model domestic and import vehicles.
Start Planning for National Car Care Month Now
For the second year, National Car Care Month will be held in April, providing tremendous opportunities to communicate with female consumers. That’s the word from the organizers of the Bluegrass Car Care Clinic in Lexington, Ky. For 15 years, the Professional Master Technician’s Association (PMTA) in Lexington, along with the Kentucky Indiana Automotive Wholesalers Association (KIAWA), have held vehicle check lane events during National Car Care Month (NCCM).
ACDelco to Sponsor MACS 2004 Convention
ACDelco will be a silver-level sponsor at this year’s Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide 2004 Convention and Trade Show, CRANK it UP!, Jan. 22-24 at the Caribe Royal All-Suites Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Susan Christophersen, manager of product service and training development for ACDelco, and Bob Stewart, A/C training program development, ACDelco service training, both will be presenting during the MACS 24th annual convention.