Pricedex Announces PPS Membership, Sponsorship
Pricedex Software has signed on to become a major sponsor and supporter of the Professional Pricing Society (PPS), of Atlanta, GA. Founded in 1984, the Professional Pricing Society serves thousands of members, representing all leading industries in more than 50 countries, acting as the voice of the pricing profession. The society’s mission is to nurture a growing community of professionals committed to disseminating pricing expertise throughout the business world.
From Counterman.com: The Dealer Dilemma
While picking up some parts at your local jobber warehouse, you pull up once again and find the local automotive dealership delivery van parked in the will-call lot. Once inside, you see your salesman and when he comes over for some early-morning banter, you express your concern about what you are seeing. It’s sad but true — it appears the dealership is buying and selling aftermarket parts from the very same sources you use — and at the same pricing. Now, before you blow your top or want to defend the notion, let me have a chance to explain my view on the matter.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry: What Makes for a Good Location for Business Travel?
Business travel — it’s something most of us do. Las Vegas always seems to pop up on our business travel schedules at least once per year — and for good reason. Las Vegas boasts all the ingredients for a successful business meeting, conference or trade show — lots of meeting space, lots of hotel rooms and, of course, world-class entertainment and dining. This week, we asked a few well-traveled road warriors about what makes for a good business travel spot.
MACS 2008 Convention Registration Now Open
LANSDALE, PA — Registration for the 2008 MACS Worldwide Convention and Trade Show, CURRENT EVENTS, is now open in both the MACS online store and through the MACS office. The MACS 2008 Convention and Trade Show will feature more than 50 hours of mobile A/C, engine cooling system, heavy duty, off-road, and business training seminars,
From Counterman.com: Publisher’s Perspective — Store Brand Strength
During an industry event two years ago, Rollie Olson, owner of Parts Depot, a large member of Aftermarket Automotive Parts Alliance, publicly chastised parts manufacturers for not promoting their brands enough. Simply, he was unimpressed with the amount of brand promotion and brand building he saw from aftermarket manufacturers. It’s important to note Parts Depot’s affiliation with The Alliance, a group that competes against strong distribution brands like NAPA and CARQUEST. In the battle for service-shop market share, NAPA and CARQUEST use their own well-established brands to compete, while groups like The Alliance rely heavily on parts manufacturers’ brands. If parts manufacturers aren’t building and reinforcing their brands among technicians, who will?
Northwood®€™s 44th Annual International Auto Show to Focus on “Desire, Drive and Destination”
MIDLAND, MI – The theme for Northwood’s 44th Annual International Auto Show – the largest outdoor new car auto show – will be “The Desire, The Drive, The Destination.” According to show organizers, this concept allows viewers to choose where they are going in life and how the automobile helps them get there. The entire
Court Rules Against Automakers in Global Warming Case
From Detroit Free Press / Free Press Washington Bureau A federal judge on Wednesday rejected the U.S. auto industry’s attempt to block California and 14 other states from setting tough new fuel-economy standards, saying the industry had not proved the regulations were illegal, unsafe or unattainable. The ruling was a big loss for the industry
From Counterman.com: Store Brand Strength
Counterman Publisher Jon Owens writes about the importance of brand strength in his September column. Owens writes, "It’s time for manufacturers to realize that their brands represent a very important aspect (if not the most important aspect) of their overall value proposition to the large buying entities in this market. Beyond the important quality of their p rod ucts and their people, brands are assets that can actually deliver more value as a whole, beyond the sum of its many parts."
The Week in Review (Aug. 27-31, 2007)
by Arianne Anderson The Week in Review offers a snapshot of the most read stories of the week as seen on aftermarketNews. To access the complete stories, simply click on the highlighted links. If you missed reading one of our daily news emails, click on any of the dates listed at the bottom of the
From Counterman.com: Mitch’s World — Non-Euclidian Geometry
This month, Counterman columnist Mitch Schneider writes about physics and geometry and how these disciplines, coupled with the correct formulas, play critical roles in the lives of automotive professionals. Schneider writes, "Once upon a time, having the ‘right’ parts at the ‘right’ place, at the ‘right’ time and at the ‘right’ price was enough. That formula will not work as effectively in the future as it did in the past. Service professionals are looking for more today. They are looking for more and will respond to the distribution partner who gives them what they are looking for. Just ask anyone with a successful service center program."