Beck/Arnley Establishes Marketing Advisory Council
Beck/Arnley has established a special Marketing Advisory Council to assist with future product, marketing and communication efforts. The new Marketing Advisory Council will include top Beck/Arnley sales and marketing personnel, associates from its marketing agencies and select members of its customer base. The council will meet twice a year to examine issues and current technology in an effort to improve its customers’ businesses, maximize marketing tools and provide what it called “cutting edge solutions” to industry issues.
DST Asks: Does Your Computer Business System Help You Manage Inventory Consigned to Customers?
“The only way you could ever do business with me is if you gave me your product for free.” Somewhere along the line, a supplier frustrated in his inability to convince a retailer to carry a product line heard that rejection for the umpteenth time and finally decided to take the retailer up on it…literally. He thought, “Why not give him our product for free?” The concept of vendor consigned inventory was born.
Clevite Launches New Engine Builder Club
Clevite Engine Parts recently launched the Clevite Engine Builder Club, a new, one-of-a-kind club aiming to further the professional careers of engine builders across the country and around the world.
Yokohama Announces Changes in Corporate Governance, Fiscal Results
On May 13 at its board of directors meeting, The Yokohama Rubber Co. announced changes in directorships and the introduction of the position of “corporate officer.” The changes will become effective upon approval at a shareholders meeting scheduled for June 29. Hisao Suzuki, vice president, representative director, will retire from the board of directors, and Yasuo Tominaga will assume the responsibilities of chairman and representative director. Tadanobu Nagumo will become president and representative director.
DST Asks: Does Your Business System Include Enhancements to Help Manage and Collect Outstanding Receivables?
Regardless of the size of your business, accounts receivable collections and credit management are a never ending task. Having proper credit and collections procedures in place that are solely dependent upon the utilization of your personnel’s time can be a costly endeavor. Technology can dramatically reduce those costs.
Executive Interview with Rex Falkenrath, Founder and CEO of Hi-Tech Engine Components
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Rex Falkenrath, founder and CEO of Hi-Tech Engine Components. Falkenrath founded Hi-Tech in August of 1973. With more than 31 years in business, Hi-Tech Engine Components has developed a full line of engine parts and kits sold nationally through parts store chains and program distribution groups. Join us as we learn more about Hi-Tech Engine Components and the engine parts market.
DST Asks: What Topics Would You Like to Read About?
Right now, today, perhaps no other industry is as poised and ready to transform itself as the automotive aftermarket parts and service industry to leverage technology usage to dramatically enhance productivity and boost bottom-line performance. That’s why we took the opportunity, after publishing three months worth of weekly columns, to ask our readers what they would like us to discuss in the next three months. The responses were interesting and thought provoking. Here’s a general recap of what we’ve covered so far and, based upon your feedback, topics for the near future.
Auto-Wares Tech Expo Grows Customers & Skills
Every spring, Auto-Wares grows customer skills through a full weekend of technician training. Inside the Lansing Convention Center in Michigan, a line snaked out of the door that lead to a room where scores of automotive technicians were preparing to take the State of Michigan Mechanic Certification test, the state’s mandatory version of the ASE exam. Inside the Lansing Convention Center in Michigan, a line snaked out of the door that lead to a room where scores of automotive technicians were preparing to take the State of Michigan Mechanic Certification test, the state’s mandatory version of the ASE exam.
DST Asks: What Factors Do You Look at When Measuring the Cost of Managing Inventory?
Manufacturers and very large distributors have benefited from the productivity- and efficiency-enhancing features of automated warehouses for years. That technology is now available to virtually any size business. What factors do you take into account in measuring the cost of managing your inventory and do you have the data available to make those measurements?
DST Asks: Have You Explored the Benefits of Formless Printing Technology?
Many firms throughout the supply chain have discovered the benefits and enormous payback of investing in formless printing technology (formless printing eliminates the requirement for costly preprinted forms, such as invoices). Have you explored the potential ROI benefits that formless printing could provide your business within months of implementation? Have you further explored the potential benefits of direct electronic communication of formed documents via e-mail or e-fax?