Mitchell 1 Makes Fourth Quarter Updates to OnDemand5 Manager/ManagerPlus Software
Mitchell 1 has made fourth quarter updates to its popular OnDemand5 Manager/Manager Plus, Version 5.9 software. The software now features more functionality and enhancements, which have been added to the integrated NAPA catalog, including an upgrade to display the NAPA stores’ quantity on-hand, cost and distribution center quantities.
CAWA Board of Directors Elect Officers for 2008
LAS VEGAS — At its annual meeting to kick off the 2007 Industry Week in Las Vegas, the CAWA Board of Directors elected the following individuals to serve as officers for 2008: • Chair of the Board – Pat Winters, CARQUEST of California; • Vice Chair of the Board – David Finley, NAPA Auto and
Mitchell 1 CRM Now Available with Prominent Aftermarket Shop Management Systems
Mitchell 1 announced that it has opened up its Customer Retention Marketing (CRM) program to work with non-Mitchell 1 management systems including NAPA Tracs, Alldata Service Center, R.O. Writer and others. Automotive repair shops will receive the same CRM benefits and support as Mitchell 1 Manager customers.
John “Max” McGowan Celebrates 35 Years in the Aftermarket
Maximum Marketing Services has announced that its founder, John “Max” McGowan, is celebrating his 35th anniversary in the automotive aftermarket. McGowan founded Maximum Marketing in 1981 and currently serves as the company’s senior advisor. Based in Chicago, Maximum is a full-service agency that specializes in advertising, public relations, graphic design, direct marketing, sales promotion, web design, research and fulfillment for a variety of aftermarket and heavy duty clients.
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?
Executive Interview: Steve Handschuh, President and Chief Operating Officer, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association
Steve Handschuh is the president and chief operating officer of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and vice president of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). AASA, a market segment association of MEMA, exclusively serves and represents North American aftermarket product manufacturers. This week we talk with Steve Handschuh about AASA’s involvement at AAPEX as well as the changes the association has gone through this year including the creation of its first-ever members-only event, the AASA Vision Conference.
The First Automechanika Canada Premiers Next Week
TORONTO — The premier of Automechanika Canada will take place Sept. 26 – 28. Show organizers have said that anticipation is building for Automechanika Canada, which will be held at the International Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The show will feature more than 200 exhibitors from 16 countries. Manufacturers will be displaying products from around the
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 Pros and Cons of Importing in the Aftermarket
The Catevo Group presents an article on how to provide the highest-quality aftermarket products at the lowest possible prices while still making a profit. The authors discuss the challenges and benefits that come with global sourcing. "Today’s global marketplace requires new thinking on how you do business," The Catevo Group wrote. "Sourcing products from around the world in some cases has become not just another option but a necessity to compete and ultimately survive."
From Counterman.com: Survey Says
Counterman publisher Jon Owens discusses the importance of data in the aftermarket in his August column. He says the industry may believe that traditional distributors are losing business to OE dealer parts channels, but the data suggests otherwise.