Sanel Auto Parts Co. has been honored by the Auto Care Association with the Head of the Class Award. The award recognizes auto care industry companies that continually invest in employee education and training.

“Our employees are the backbone of Sanel Auto Parts, and we are committed to providing an excellent service experience for our customers. Well-educated and trained employees are the key,” said David Segal, president of Sanel Auto Parts, Co.

“We are truly appreciative of the Auto Care Association’s recognition of our efforts,” added Bobby Segal, Sanel’s chief operating officer and treasurer.

The Head of the Class Award is administered by the Auto Care Association’s Education Committee on behalf of the association, and promotes the value and benefit that investment in education and training provides to employees and their companies, as well as the entire auto care industry.

The committee cited the following criteria in selecting Sanel for the award:

• Education/training focused on leadership/management/operations and technical and sales skills in order to have “the most knowledgeable counter professionals.

• Embraces on-demand learning by investing in personal tablets for outside sales people to gain instantaneous access to information, and supports veteran salespeople in learning how to use the technology to bring value to customers.

• Introduced more safety and wellness education to reduce increasing healthcare premiums.

• Introduced a proprietary Learning Management System (LMS) to offer self-paced training programs, track employee participation and ensure training consistency; worked with employees to embrace this new technology.

• Associates required to attend specific classroom training and completed assigned LMS training.

• All employees, from upper-level management to entry level, are required to complete certain courses with additional course completion tied to job performance.

• Company invests annually in technology (hardware, software, tools and equipment) for the LMS, training centers and classrooms.

• Experiencing record sales growth, while promoting a strong organizational culture, reduced turnover, increased productivity and health-care cost reductions.

The award was presented Sept. 10 at the association’s Fall Leadership Days in Austin, Texas.