Monro Names Valvoline Vendor of the Year
Valvoline has been named Vendor of the Year by the Monro Muffler Brake automotive service chain. Monro owns 600 stores in more than 18 states, operating under the Monro Muffler Brake and Service, Speedy Auto Service by Monro, Kimmel Tires-Auto Service, Tread Quarters Discount Tires and Mr. Tire brands. Valvoline has been principal lubricants and filter supplier to the Rochester, N.Y.-based chain since late 2002.
DST Asks: What Value Do You See in Sharing Detailed Sales Data?
An ongoing dilemma exists between all tiers of the supply chain due to the gulf caused by lack of collaboration and sharing of sales information that would ultimately benefit all — manufacturers, distributors, parts retailers and service providers. Where do you stand on these issues? Our objective is to generate the thought and dialogue that might provide energy to new initiatives. See our special offer at the end of this week’s column!
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.
Del-Nat Tire Names VP of Marketing
Jim Mayfield has joined Del-Nat Tire Corp. as vice president of marketing. His responsibilities will include all marketing and product management functions. Mayfield joined the tire industry in 1981 with Michelin Tire Corp., where he held various sales positions in replacement and OE sales.
“DST Asks”: Adding Service/Installation as an Additional Profit Center in a Parts Enterprise
How many readers know that Starbucks, the ubiquitous coffee retailer, actually began operating as a coffee roaster in Seattle, selling bags of whole bean coffee in Pike Street Market? It took a visionary leader, Howard Schultz, coupled with an ambitious operating plan and enterprise management technology to morph the business into the worldwide coffeehouse chain and merchandising success story we see today. And this all happened in an incredibly short period of time…with growth from 17 outlets in 1987 to 7,225 outlets today. All of this was based on the simple premise, “We already have customers who buy our coffee beans — what if we brewed the coffee for them, too?” We see a similar opportunity in parts distribution.
Tenneco Automotive Expands ‘Expert Plus’ Rewards Program
Tenneco Automotive’s Monroe shocks and struts and Walker exhaust brands have expanded the Expert Plus automotive service promotions and technician rewards program for 2004. Expert Plus is a comprehensive offering of national trade and consumer promotions, marketing materials, merchandising tools and installation incentives for automotive repair facilities and professional technicians. The program attracted more than 20,000 members in 2003.
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.
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.