Job Without Glitter May Be Gold — Skilled ‘Blue-Collar’ Workers Get Top Dollar
Think you have to earn a college degree to collect a hefty paycheck? Think again. A work-force shortage is driving up demand – and salaries – for skilled workers in “blue-collar” trades within the construction, automotive, health-care and service industries.
DST Asks:Does Your Multi-Store Business Management System Capture and Consolidate Operating Information?
It’s the American way. Start your own business. Perfect your methods. Hire good people. Grow your customer base. Perfect the idea at one location, then expand by adding new locations that share the same business model. Thousands of successful retail enterprises have started in exactly this way. It’s a fundamental way to apply the principle we all learned in Economics 101 – economies of scale. Business 101 would call it leverage. Good entrepreneurs call it survival!
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.
Source Direct Signs to Distribute Automotive Cleaning Products to Ace Hardware
Source Direct Holdings, a manufacturer of private label automotive and consumer household cleaning products, has signed an exclusive agreement with Marden, Inc. for the distribution of all Source Direct product lines to Ace Hardware Corp., one of the leading hardware cooperatives in the U.S. Ace Hardware distributes to its retailers from more than 20 wholesale warehouses.
Transtar Autobody Technologies Selects BJM Associates for Advertising and Marketing
Transtar Autobody Technologies has named BJM Associates as its new advertising and marketing agency. Transtar Autobody Technologies develops and markets automotive refinish products, including VOC compliant clearcoat and primers, adhesives, sealers, coatings, plastic repair, compounds, glazes and waxes for the collision repair industry.
Executive Interview with Howard Kesten, President and Founder of Workboards
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Howard Kesten, president and founder of Workboards, which launched the automotive job site, aftermarketJobs.com, in December 2003. A two-time guest speaker at AAPEX, Kesten is also founder and CEO of APA Search, Inc., an executive search and human resources consulting firm serving the automotive industry. In 18 years, he has placed more than 1,600 automotive professionals. Join us as Kesten provides an introduction to aftermarketJobs.com and shares with us his predictions for the future of the aftermarket and the job market.
High Schoolers Earn Certifications from Industry
A diploma isn’t the only important document that some students have in hand when they graduate from high school these days. A growing number of students, educators say, are graduating with specific, industry-defined skills certifications that can have immediate value in the job market. Industries in which such certification is available include computer maintenance, automotive repair, nursing, graphic arts and food service.
General Parts to Offer AutoComLink Suite of Software Products
Automotive replacement parts distributor General Parts Inc. has announced a merger with Automotive Communications Link Inc., a provider of business management software for automotive repair professionals. Automotive Communications Link does business under the name “AutoComLink.” Through the merger, General Parts will offer AutoComLink products, which includes an Internet-based auto parts ordering application (EZ2LINK), a repair estimator system (EZ2Estimate) and a business and inventory management system for automotive repair facilities (POWERLINK).
ASA Chief Staff Executive Addresses Consumer, Insurer Issues on Two CBS Programs
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) and its Chief Staff Executive Ron Pyle played a significant role in two CBS programs that addressed the issue of insurer-owned body shops. Pyle was recently interviewed at ASA’s headquarters in Bedford, Texas, and appeared Wednesday, Feb. 11, on the “CBS Evening News” during its “Eye on America” segment. On Thursday, Feb. 12, Pyle provided follow-up coverage on this issue when he was interviewed again by CBS during an appearance on “The Early Show.”
CBS News to Address Insurer-Owned Shop Issues This Week, ASA’s Ron Pyle to Be Featured
Two CBS programs are scheduled to address the insurer-owned body shops issue this week. The first program is slated to air today, Wednesday, Feb. 11, on the CBS Evening News during its “Eye on America” segment. Ron Pyle, ASA’s president and chief staff executive, was recently interviewed for the segment at ASA’s headquarters in Bedford, Texas. Pyle will provide follow-up coverage on this issue when he is interviewed again by CBS during an appearance on The Early Show Thursday, Feb. 12.