Counterman

On May 1, MAHLE Aftermarket officially launched its first-ever “Powered by MAHLE” engine giveaway sweepstakes. The social media-driven promotion offers participants the chance to win a brand-new Chevy LS engine. The sweepstakes will be conducted through the MAHLE USA Facebook and Instagram social media pages. Participants just need to share a photo of their current engine, repair or maintenance project and tag MAHLE’s social account in the post. Full program details are available on the MAHLE Facebook and Instagram pages. “We thrive as a vehicle aftermarket supplier because of the unwavering support we receive from our loyal enthusiasts. That’s why it’s so important that we find opportunities to reward our followers through fun and unique contests that reflect their interests,” said Jon Douglas, president, MAHLE Aftermarket North America. “We especially love to develop programs that bring together our sponsors and business partners to be a part of these promotions and bring them to life for our followers.” The Chevy LS engine will be built by Tri-Star Engines and Transmissions, located in Baldwin, Wisconsin, featuring all applicable premium MAHLE components. This is the first in a series of four engine giveaways that will be a part of the “Powered by MAHLE” social media-based sweepstakes throughout 2023, with additional engines being provided by MAHLE engine-building partners up for grabs in the months of July, August and October. At the conclusion of the month of May, the first winner in the promotional giveaway will be selected at random from among all entries. A formal announcement about the winner of the inaugural “Powered by MAHLE” engine giveaway will be made in June. In addition to the engine, winners will be provided entry to the Performance Racing Industry show in Indianapolis in December and a one-night hotel stay featuring a dinner with Team MAHLE professionals. Additional engine builders will work with MAHLE to build the other three engines that will be awarded throughout this one-of-a-kind program. All entries received during May will be eligible for the additional months’ sweepstakes drawings. For more information about MAHLE Aftermarket and its brands, visit the MAHLE Aftermarket website or contact your local sales representative. No purchase is necessary. The post MAHLE Aftermarket Launches ‘Powered by MAHLE’ Giveaway appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

On May 1, MAHLE Aftermarket officially launched its first-ever “Powered by MAHLE” engine giveaway sweepstakes. The social media-driven promotion offers participants the chance to win a brand-new Chevy LS engine. The sweepstakes will be conducted through the MAHLE USA Facebook and Instagram social media pages. Participants just need to share a photo of their current engine, repair or maintenance project and tag MAHLE’s social account in the post. Full program details are available on the MAHLE Facebook and Instagram pages. “We thrive as a vehicle aftermarket supplier because of the unwavering support we receive from our loyal enthusiasts. That’s why it’s so important that we find opportunities to reward our followers through fun and unique contests that reflect their interests,” said Jon Douglas, president, MAHLE Aftermarket North America. “We especially love to develop programs that bring together our sponsors and business partners to be a part of these promotions and bring them to life for our followers.” The Chevy LS engine will be built by Tri-Star Engines and Transmissions, located in Baldwin, Wisconsin, featuring all applicable premium MAHLE components. This is the first in a series of four engine giveaways that will be a part of the “Powered by MAHLE” social media-based sweepstakes throughout 2023, with additional engines being provided by MAHLE engine-building partners up for grabs in the months of July, August and October. At the conclusion of the month of May, the first winner in the promotional giveaway will be selected at random from among all entries. A formal announcement about the winner of the inaugural “Powered by MAHLE” engine giveaway will be made in June. In addition to the engine, winners will be provided entry to the Performance Racing Industry show in Indianapolis in December and a one-night hotel stay featuring a dinner with Team MAHLE professionals. Additional engine builders will work with MAHLE to build the other three engines that will be awarded throughout this one-of-a-kind program. All entries received during May will be eligible for the additional months’ sweepstakes drawings. For more information about MAHLE Aftermarket and its brands, visit the MAHLE Aftermarket website or contact your local sales representative. No purchase is necessary. The post MAHLE Aftermarket Launches ‘Powered by MAHLE’ Giveaway appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Pick a parking lot, any parking lot, and you can tell what spaces get used the most by the number of oil spots. It’s easy to think of it as just a mess, but the unfortunate reality is it’s a bigger cause of pollution than meets the eye. Who remembers the Exxon Valdez? It was huge news in 1989 as the damaged oil tanker spilled almost 11 million gallons of oil into the ocean. If that seems terrible, think of this: It’s estimated that in America alone, we contaminate our water supply with approximately 180 million gallons of oil every year, and it comes out of our cars! When an engine is running, oil is everywhere inside. It splashes and runs all over the place, so just like a rainstorm will find a leak in your roof, if oil can find even the tiniest of holes, it will seep out. Aside from the environmental affects, it tends to coat the outside of the engine and the engine compartment, making it difficult to pinpoint the source. Most of the time, oil leaks aren’t discovered until there are drops in the driveway, or when a look under the hood discovers the problem – which means it’s already had plenty of time to make a mess. Professionally, they sometimes can be hard to find, but generally speaking, there are only a few common causes that make up the majority of the leaks “on the road.” Starting From the Top Valve-cover gaskets are one of the most common leaks. They’re on the top of an engine (the majority of the time), and when they leak, the oil runs down over everything. The big problem with this is if there’s another source of an oil leak, it will be hard to identify because it will be overrun by the oil from the cover gasket. In addition, oil can be very damaging and when it comes from the top down, it gets on hoses, wiring and other components that can slowly degrade from continuous exposure. This leads me to another point. Often, cleaning is the first step to finding a leak and to prevent it from damaging other components. Engine degreaser, cleaning brushes, shop towels and some form of oil-dry are excellent upsells. Valve-cover gaskets also are a common culprit for causing hidden leaks. A vast majority of the vehicles on the road feature a combustion-chamber design that locates the spark plug in the center of the combustion chamber, meaning access is through the valve cover. This requires spark plug tube seals to prevent oil from getting into the plug well and on the plug-wire boots. Regardless of the type of ignition, the plug-wire boots will be damaged if oil gets on them. If someone is replacing this style of valve-cover gasket, it’s a perfect time to sell plugs and wires while they’re in there, or if they’re doing plugs, why not sell a new cover-gasket set to prevent these leaks before they happen? Pressurized Leaks Most leaks are oil that simply finds a way out due to an aged gasket or seal, but some have a little extra help. Pressurized leaks (at least that’s what I call them) originate from a component that is directly connected to the oil-pressure circuit, such as an oil-pressure switch or the oil filter itself. Filters are easy to see, but switches, oil-galley plugs and filter flanges often are buried. An indication of a pressurized leak is one that starts to drip shortly after the engine is started and continues dripping at a consistent pace. Common Mistakes One of the most common service mistakes in general is not replacing the oil-pan drain-plug gasket during an oil change. Sure, you might get away with it once, but they’re designed to be replaced every time, and the telltale drop of oil that always hangs off the bottom of the drain plug is the giveaway. Who knows how many gallons a year this mistake alone could add up to! When replacing the oil filter, it should be routine to clean the filter flange and make sure the old seal isn’t stuck to it. But many people still ignore the practice. A dirty flange will prevent a good seal, and if the old seal is stuck to it, you’ll be faced with a major leak. Another common cause of leaks originates from using the incorrect gasket. There’s something to be said for quality, but there’s something to be said for the original design of a gasket too. Cork and cork-rubber gaskets are old news and old technology, but in many cases, they’re still the best for their application. This generally is a reference to vintage automobiles. The easiest way to know is to look up what the original style of gasket was. If a cork variation was original, and the engine still features original components, then stick with cork. Many of these engines featured rough cast surfaces on which a cork gasket would conform. In some cases, a rubber replacement will work, but generally, many new rubber seals are designed to work with smooth, machined surfaces. I’ve seen the most advanced gaskets in the world leak like a sieve, only to have an original cork seal it up in an instant. If you stick with the OE style of gaskets, it’s an easy way to ensure success. Shaft Seals Shaft seals, referring to crankshaft, camshaft and/or intermediate shaft seals, are common leak sources when an engine starts to get some miles on it. These seals see a lot of abuse due to the fact that the shaft is continuously rotating inside it when the engine is running. A thin film of oil keeps the shaft from instantly gripping the lip of the seal and ripping it to shreds, and on most seals, a small spring on the inside keeps the lip tensioned against the shaft. When these begin to leak, the oil has a tendency to get on the timing belt, if equipped, which can spell disaster. Often, the leaks can be seen originating from the area of the shaft, and if oil is present after removing the timing-belt cover, you can bet one or more is leaking. These seals can harden and leak with age, but lack of oil changes creates acidity in the oil that will damage them and shorten their life. This is yet another reason that regular oil changes are important. Installation Any gasket or seal is only as good as the installation. Many gaskets or seals are designed for low-torque applications, and some have very specific spots to apply a sealant. Following manufacturer instructions is the only way to do it. Too high or too low a torque can ruin the job, and “more is better” is not the slogan of any sealant company I know of. Since many gaskets call for small amounts of sealant, this also is another great upsell. When it comes to shaft seals with a spring-tensioned lip, a common practice is to use a small amount of grease to hold the spring in place, preventing it from falling out during seal installation. A good engine assembly grease should be used for this, since it will dissolve in engine oil. Fixing oil leaks is good for business. You sell parts. But it’s even better for the world and future generations. The post Common Causes of Oil Leaks appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Photo caption: GM ASEP students from Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, Iowa, Joseph Njue (left) and Tyler Tessman (right) work on an engine donated by GM in October 2022. (Photo courtesy of Des Moines Area Community College) In recognition of National Skilled Trades Day, celebrated on the first Wednesday in May each year, General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales (CCA) is recognizing the vital role that the more than 40,000 skilled auto technicians across GM dealerships bring to the GM owner experience. Through “Bring Us Your Talent,” GM’s marketing initiative to help GM dealers recruit and train new talent to fill the technician gap, unique career stories and journeys will be shared across several GM platforms including: The future of automotive talent – A video highlighting GM Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP) students sharing their journeys with Dale Earnhardt Jr., who knows firsthand the importance of under-the-hood expertise. What GM-certified automotive technicians are saying: Stories from automotive technicians at all levels on why they chose their career path, life on the job, advancement and more. These stories, along with information on pursuing career opportunities as an automotive technician at a GM dealer through GM ASEP, are live on BringUsYourTalent.com. GM brand social channels will also be featuring content honoring the experts who help keep us on the road. “With the progression of automotive technologies and the shift to electric vehicles, there is an ever-growing demand for skilled technician talent,” said John Roth, GM global vice president, Customer Care and Aftersales. “Not just today, but every day, we appreciate our dealership technicians who bring us their skills and continue to advance their training to take care of our customers.” “Bring Us Your Talent” launched in May 2021 to coincide with National Skilled Trades Day and targets potential talent with educational content on automotive technician career opportunities. The initiative also provides marketing and advertising assets to dealerships to help them drive technician recruitment and industry awareness in their markets. These efforts have helped to attract and build a pipeline of talent. Enrollment in the 51 ASEP schools across the United States is the highest it has been in 10 years. The post GM Celebrates Automotive Technicians on Skilled Trades Day appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Peterson Manufacturing announced the hiring of Bryan Dempsey as director of fleet sales. In this new position, Dempsey will build strong relationships and strategic partnerships, assess customer needs and recommend product solutions, and drive revenue growth and customer satisfaction, according to the company. Dempsey comes to Peterson with eight years of industry experience as manager of fleet maintenance for FedEx Ground, leading a talented team responsible for oversight of all fleet-maintenance categories nationwide. “Throughout his career, Dempsey has been responsible for specifying and maintaining the safest equipment possible, a perfect fit for the Peterson philosophy and strategy,” the company said in a news release. “His extensive knowledge of the complex challenges facing fleets and understanding of the importance of maintaining equipment to the highest safety standards will ensure the growth of Peterson’s fleet customer segment and play a pivotal role in supporting the needs of our current fleet customers.” Dempsey was an officer in the U.S. Air Force prior to FedEx Ground. He holds a B.S. in manufacturing engineering from Robert Morris University in Moon Township, Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Sarah, currently reside on their farm in Eastern Ohio. “In today’s environment, our customer’s needs are constantly changing,” said Al Anderson, vice president of sales & marketing for Peterson Manufacturing. “At Peterson, we believe that one of the best ways to understand those needs is to have someone working with our customers who knows firsthand about their pain points and just how important it is to reduce downtime and increase efficiencies.We believe that with Bryan on board, we can truly engage with our fleet customers and offer fully customizable solutions.” The post Bryan Dempsey Joins Peterson as Director of Fleet Sales appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

The popularity of turbocharged gasoline engines has surged over the past 20 years. According to the Department of Energy, approximately 1% of all 2000-model-year light-duty vehicles were turbocharged. Fast-forward to today, and more than one-third of all light-duty vehicles are turbocharged. So, why the rapid change? That’s simple: fuel-economy standards. Current CAFE standards call for automakers to increase the average fuel economy of their lineups to 54.5 mpg by 2025. To meet these regulations, automakers have needed to innovate. This innovation has led to the advent of new technologies that have changed the entire industry. Today, automakers are building vehicles that are safer than ever before, with more creature comforts. They’re more powerful despite the fact that the engines are smaller in displacement – yet the average customer doesn’t realize that anything has changed. Two of the key technologies that have helped to boost fuel economy and horsepower with less displacement are gasoline direct injection and turbocharging. Direct Injection These systems are able to measure and control the amount of fuel entering the combustion chamber more accurately, boosting fuel economy and maximizing power output. The low-pressure fuel pump is mounted inside the fuel tank, and it sends fuel through the fuel lines and up to the high-pressure fuel pump. This pump is mounted on the engine and is driven by a special lobe on the camshaft. The fuel pressure then is increased to extremely high pressures; some applications may see 3,000 to 5,000 psi. The fuel then travels to the injectors that are mounted inside the cylinder head and injected directly into the combustion chamber. Why does the fuel pressure need to be so high? Port fuel injectors spray fuel in a vacuum, and that vacuum draws the fuel vapors into the combustion chamber. Direct injectors need to be able to overcome the higher pressures seen inside the combustion chamber, so the fuel pressure needs to be much higher compared to port injection. The increased fuel pressure has another benefit: The fuel is able atomize much better compared to port fuel injection. The more atomized the fuel is, the better it burns, and the engine can run much more efficiently. Turbocharging Turbocharging allows automakers to build engines that produce more power with less displacement, and sometimes with fewer cylinders. How does a turbocharger work? Let’s talk about it in simple terms. Gasoline engines burn a mixture of air and fuel. The engine can only draw in a fixed amount of air on its own, so the ECU controls the amount of fuel added to the combustion chamber to maintain the optimum air and fuel mixture. Turbochargers increase the air flow into the engine. This means that more fuel can be added, and the engine can make more power. Inside the turbocharger you’ll see a shaft with a turbine wheel on one end, and a compressor wheel on the other. The turbine is driven by exhaust gasses leaving the engine. This spins the compressor wheel that forces more air into the intake manifold. This increased air flow and pressure is known as boost, or charge air. The charge air typically passes through an intercooler or heat exchanger; this removes some of the heat and makes the air denser. The air then travels to the combustion chamber. A Winning Combination GDI and turbocharging each have their advantages, but when combined, they offer even more. In many late-model vehicles, lower-displacement engines with GDI are able to produce 20% more power with 20% less displacement when compared to bigger engines from a decade ago. Everywhere you look, it seems that engines have gotten smaller in displacement. Ford has its EcoBoost four-cylinder and V-6 engines, Nissan/Infiniti has its 3-liter VR engines and Chevrolet recently started offering a 2.7-liter turbo in the Silverado. Ford and Chevy also offer three-cylinder turbo engines in some of their smaller offerings. These smaller-displacement engines offer better fuel economy than the engines they’re replacing, but without turbocharging they wouldn’t be able to offer the same sort of power. This is where smarter boost comes into play. Smaller-displacement engines can use smaller turbos to fill in gaps in the powerband. Smaller turbos are able to spool up faster, leading to better response and more predictable power delivery. Modern turbos are mounted closer to the engine than ever before. This means the exhaust gasses don’t have to travel as far once they leave the combustion chamber, and the turbo can spool up faster. Add-On Sales Opportunities As parts professionals, it’s our job to know how these systems work, and what our customers need to know whenever they’re replacing components in the system. Here are a few tips and tricks to be aware of next time you’re selling GDI or turbocharger parts. The fuel system needs to be depressurized before starting a repair. There are a number of ways this can be achieved. Your customers could remove the relay for the supply pump inside the fuel tank and crank the engine. With no supply of fuel, the HPFP won’t have anything to pressurize. However, a better alternative is to use a scan tool to depressurize the system. This method typically redirects the fuel back to the fuel tank, so it won’t put any strain on the system. They can confirm that the fuel system has been depressurized by checking the reading from the fuel-pressure sensor. Your customers should pay close attention to the seals on the injectors. In most applications, the seal ring that seals the injector to the combustion chamber cannot be reused. These seals often are made of materials such as Teflon and will require special tools to install them. The seal needs to be carefully and uniformly stretched as it slides into position. Then it’s resized to fit into the groove on the end of the injector. It’s best to check the OE service information whenever servicing the injectors. The high-pressure fuel line is another component that may not be reusable during service. In many applications, the fittings on the ends of the line will have a sealant applied inside the threads, or the fitting may stretch or crush during install to form a tight seal. You also might see a yellow tag or sticker on the fuel line that says, “HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL LINE, DO NOT REUSE,” or something similar. During turbocharger service, it’s important to avoid some of the most common installation errors. An example would be failing to properly clean gasket surfaces, neglecting to replace gaskets during service or failing to clear out debris from a previous failure. A restricted or blocked oil-supply line can quickly lead to oil starvation and turbocharger failure. Your customers always should clean the area where the engine-oil supply and return lines connect to the engine crankcase, being sure to prevent any debris from entering the engine oil or crankcase. Oil contamination can lead to additional engine damage. Always remove and inspect the engine-oil supply and return lines for blockage or restriction, or replace them entirely. Finally, always replace the crush seals on banjo-bolt connections. The post Turbochargers and GDI: A Winning Combination appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

From its humble beginnings as a piston-ring supplier to Toyota in the 1940s, Honda now is the world’s largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines. Aside from automobiles and motorcycles, Honda also makes engines for lawn and garden equipment, generators, ATVs, personal watercraft and outboard engines for boats. That may skew the numbers a little, but it still adds up to more than 23 million units annually. Bigger than Harley-Davidson, Honda also is the largest global manufacturer of motorcycles, and the company remains the No. 2 Japanese automaker, right behind the company that gave founder Soichiro Honda his start! In the automotive market, Honda has the distinction of introducing the first North American hybrid vehicle (the 2000-model-year Insight beat the OG Prius to market by about six months), as well as being the first Japanese manufacturer to offer a luxury brand. The Acura nameplate debuted with two models (the Legend and Integra) in 1986, four years ahead of the first Infiniti (Nissan) and Lexus (Toyota) models. When it comes to decoding the past 20 years of Honda VINs, most of the standard rules apply. The first character of the VIN will identify the country of origin, with “J” identifying Japanese-built Hondas. North American-built vehicles will display “1, “5” or “7” for the U.S., “2” for Canada and “3” for Mexican-assembled units. The lead “7” is a relatively new addition to the list of U.S.-built WMI codes; in this case the WMI “7FA” is assigned to the Indiana SUV plant. Other U.S. companies with “7” VINs include Tesla and Rivian. Honda maintained an assembly plant in the United Kingdom through 2021, so there are some Civics and CR-Vs with a VIN that begins with “S” – the identifier for the U.K., more commonly seen on Jaguar and Land Rover VINs. VIN positions 4 through 6 are combined to identify the model line and engine type. For example, the 2017 Civic came in two-door, four-door and five-door configurations, with either a 1.5-liter engine (codes FC3, FC1 and FK7) or 2-liter engine (codes FC4, FC2 and FK8). There is no single digit to identify the engine, but oddly enough, the seventh digit repeats the body information (two-, four- or five-door) and states the type of transmission (manual, automatic or CVT). With a limited number of engine and transmission combinations, one would think that these could have been encoded into a single digit, rather than repeating body configurations! Once we get to the eighth digit, where so many manufacturers encode the engine, Honda provides the trim level (EX, EX-L, LX, Sport, etc.). Once again, the relevant information is obscurely tied to the body configuration. If the eighth digit of our 2017 Civic is a “5,” that could decode as a two-door or four-door LX or Si, or a five-door EX. See? Clear as mud! Things go back to normal for the remainder of the VIN, with a ninth-position check digit; model year decoded in the 10th position; and assembly plant and production number in places 11 through 17. The assembly plant has special significance when it comes to referencing Honda paint codes. Modern Honda paint codes are broken down into three parts: a letter prefix to identify the basic color family; a three-digit number; and either a “P” or “M” suffix if the color is a pearl or metallic. Automotive refinish companies often will call out the assembly-plant code in addition to the basic paint code, in an effort to color-match the paint as accurately as possible. Alternate mixing formulas exist for many colors that are applied at more than one assembly plant, to account for any minor differences in color resulting from manufacturing or application variations. Touch-up pens generally don’t require this level of color-matching, but our body shop customers often are called upon to blend repairs seamlessly, and these details make all the difference! By turning piston rings into a global engine-manufacturing dynasty, and making a successful transition from motorcycles to automobiles, Honda has shown just how powerful and influential a small company with forward-thinking engineers and global vision can become. Honda makes some of the most innovative products within its many categories, and seems to find success in each. You would think the company that engineered something as brilliant as V-TEC could figure out a way to encode some relevant information into a 17-digit VIN! The post Decoding Honda’s VINs appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

KYB Americas Corp. has promoted Ryan Dickerman, KYB’s East region sales manager, to national sales manager. The newly created position will allow Dickerman to utilize his background and experience to guide the KYB sales teams in the East, Central and West regions. KYB Americas said it will announce several internal promotions in the coming weeks, including two newly created positions. “KYB Americas Corporation is committed to the growth and development of our associates, which includes promoting from within whenever possible,” the company said in a news release. Dickerman has been with KYB for nearly 16 years. He started as a customer service representative in 2007 and has advanced through the organization. His KYB resume includes roles as customer service manager, territory sales manager and the most recent position of regional sales manager. In that role, Dickerman oversaw sales efforts in 23 states and Puerto Rico and managed six territorial managers. “Ryan is a bright and energetic person that is highly regarded by customers and has earned the respect of the entire KYB organization,” Business Director Mike Fiorito said. “We look forward to Ryan leading our traditional sales team in the USA market.” Dickerman will report to Paul Kratzer, director of sales for Canada and USA. “Ryan will do a great job managing our sales team,” Kratzer said. “Ryan’s past roles at KYB have prepared him to take on the next level of responsibilities. His commitment to our customers and associates will lead him to success.” “I’m thrilled to continue my career with KYB and I look forward to exploring all this new role has to offer,” Dickerman added. When he’s not playing soccer or keeping in shape through CrossFit, Dickerman attending his children’s sporting events or following the New York Mets. KYB has not named a replacement for the position of East region sales manager. More announcements regarding KYB promotions will be forthcoming, according to the company. The post KYB Americas Promotes Ryan Dickerman to National Sales Manager appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

FCS Automotive recently announced the release of 88 new part numbers. The release includes 20 complete strut assemblies, 34 shock-absorber assembly kits, 11 shock-absorber and coil-spring assemblies, 14 heavy-duty fleet shocks and nine bare struts and shocks. All of the units are in stock and ready to ship. “FCS remains committed to be first to market with new numbers, while providing the most comprehensive market coverage in North America,” the company asserted in a news release. “Many of these numbers are not available from the competition.” The new numbers cover some of the most popular applications on the road today, including the Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Suburban, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, Ford F-250, Ford Transit, Jeep Cherokee, Mazda CX-9, Tesla 3, Bluebird, Ford F-750, Freightliner, International and more. “As a global supplier in more than 40 countries, FCS products are always produced to meet strict OE quality processes backed by extensive in-house testing and IATF16949 and ISO14001 certifications,” the company said. For more information about FCS products, contact FCS at 866-708-4554 or visit the FCS website. The post FCS Introduces 88 New Part Numbers appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Genuine Parts Co. (GPC) reported record first-quarter sales of $5.8 billion, up nearly 9% over first-quarter 2022. Net income was $304 million, up from $246 million in first-quarter 2022. “We are pleased with the continued strength and momentum in our business and excited to report results that exceeded our expectations for the quarter,” said Paul Donahue, chairman and CEO. “Our performance was a clear example of how our multi-year strategic transformation to a global automotive and industrial company is a competitive advantage that distinguishes GPC in the marketplace. We benefited from our business mix and the geographic diversity of our operations with continued strong performances in our international automotive businesses and in the industrial segment. We are extremely proud of the outstanding work by all our GPC teammates.” Global sales for the Automotive Parts Group, which includes NAPA Auto Parts, were $3.5 billion, up 7% over first-quarter 2022. A 6.6% year-over-year increase in comparable sales and a 3.5% benefit from acquisitions contributed to the number. Industrial sales were $2.3 billion, up nearly 12% from the same period in 2022, and reflecting a 12.1% increase in comparable sales. “Global Automotive sales were driven by the strong performance of our businesses outside the U.S., which helped to partially offset a slow start to the year in our U.S. automotive business,” said Will Stengel, president and chief operating officer. “In the Industrial segment, however, our broad-based strength in sales drove our eighth consecutive quarter of double-digit sales comps. The Industrial team is also operating well, posting the 11th consecutive quarter of margin expansion. Our first-quarter performance is a clear reflection of our balanced portfolio and One GPC approach to executing our strategic initiatives and taking care of our customers.” “We are pleased with the solid start to 2023 and continue to expect another strong year of profitable growth,” Donahue said. “Our updated outlook for the full year reflects the confidence in our strategic plans and ability to execute through continued economic uncertainty. We believe GPC is well- positioned with the financial strength and flexibility to support our growth plans and provide for disciplined capital allocation and enhanced shareholder value.” The post NAPA Auto Parts Parent GPC Reports Record Q1 Sales appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Let’s face it: We all spend a LOT of time at work. Based on a 40-hour schedule, a little over one-third of our waking hours is spent behind the counter each week. In reality, many counter professionals and managers regularly exceed that 40-hour figure, covering missed shifts, performing opening/closing duties and the various “after-hours” commitments that arise here and there. In our “off-hours,” we try to recharge and relax in preparation for the next workday. It’s not only our job duties that can drain our internal batteries each day. Sometimes, the environment itself (and the way we interact with it) can be just as tiresome as being overly busy, understaffed or dealing with difficult customers. Ergonomics can play a big role in your personal comfort at work, enhance your time off and have a lasting impact on your overall mental and physical health. Many of us are on our feet for the majority of our workday, and our choice of footwear can have a direct effect on more than just our feet. Shoes come in a wide range of styles, but many types of footwear are task-specific, and often are associated with a particular job or role. You don’t see nurses rushing around the ER in stiletto heels, and you don’t see cowboys on horseback wearing Air Jordans. Have you ever seen a diesel mechanic wearing Crocs on the job? Functional footwear choices don’t have to be extreme like these examples, but given the amount of time we spend on our feet, a comfortable and well-fitting shoe can only make our time at work more pleasant. Whatever your personal style, a good work shoe should offer arch and ankle support, cushioning and protection for your feet. Composite or steel toes may a good choice if you’re regularly lifting or moving heavy objects. Good shoes also promote better posture, reducing leg, back and neck fatigue! Counter staff might stand in one position for long periods of time, so a cushioned mat behind the counter can alleviate some of the discomfort commonly associated with standing on hard concrete all day. We often find mats or rugs on the customer side of the counter, along with stools for the customer to have a seat while they wait. These stools may make for a more comfortable customer experience, but aren’t necessarily the best choice for counter staff. Store policies may prohibit any type of stool or chair behind the counter, but if allowed, an adjustable office-type chair offers a more comfortable option for a wider range of body types than a traditional fixed-height stool. Whether sitting or standing, your workstation should be arranged in such a way as to make typing, mouse-clicking and reading your screen as natural as possible. Ideally, your keyboard and mouse should be at elbow height, and your monitor(s) arranged slightly below eye level. Stretching your arms to type and bending the neck to view a screen create an imbalance in posture and unnecessary fatigue. If you have enough counter space, placing your (cordless) mouse between yourself and the keyboard also can minimize reaching or stretching. Otherwise, keep that mouse as close to the side of your keyboard as practical! Parts countertops tend to be higher than an office desk, and lend themselves well to the standing position. Very tall or short employees may find that traditional counter heights don’t work well for them, so additional modifications to monitor and keyboard positioning may be necessary to create a comfortable workstation. Many of us require some sort of glasses (prescription or otherwise) to see things clearly or close-up. I prided myself for years on being able to read tiny part numbers, but these days I often wear glasses, and occasionally break out a magnifying glass when all else fails! The recommended distance between your eyes and the computer screen is approximately 24 inches, with a monitor tilt of 10 to 20 degrees. This is generally further away than the 18 inches common when reading printed catalog material, so if you’re wearing glasses and often switch between media, you may find that one or the other is a bit fuzzy. Detailed work and smartphone use also require different depths of vision, so those “cheater” glasses aren’t really a “one-size-fits-all” solution. If you find yourself struggling with your vision in any situation, it’s better to consult an optometrist rather than the cashier at the dollar store! The post Staying Comfortable Behind the Counter appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Niterra North America Inc., formerly NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.) Inc., announced that the company is introducing 20 new part numbers for its O2-sensor line. The new part numbers, sold under the company’s NTK brand, represent an increase in coverage for more than 4 million domestic, European and Asian vehicles in operation, according to Niterra North America. “These 20 new part numbers fit a variety of late-model domestic and import vehicles and range from entry-level economy cars to luxury cars to cargo-vans to sport-utilities,” said Matthew Bickford, NTK product manager, aftermarket. “NTK is committed to application coverage leadership and providing service providers the latest OEM technology and we are excited to be able to extend our latest sensor technology into the aftermarket with these applications.” For more information about Niterra and the NGK Spark Plug and NTK product brands, visit ngksparkplugs.com. The post Niterra Adds New Part Numbers to NTK O2-Sensor Line appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

MotoRad kicked off the first quarter of 2023 by introducing more than 100 new products in nine categories. The new products include closure caps, knock sensors, coolant housings, coolant-temperature sensors, thermostat assemblies, oil-filter caps and water-pump thermostat assemblies. Manufactured in Tier 1 OEM facilities “with top-quality certifications, the new products undergo comprehensive testing to ensure uncompromising quality,” according to the company. All of the new products are ready for order. “With MotoRad’s global fill-rate average of 97.81% and category management expertise, they can ensure your shelves are stocked with the right parts for optimal product availability,” the company said in a news release. For more information, reach out to your MotoRad sales rep or visit the MotoRad website. The post MotoRad Lauches 100 New Products in Q1 appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

The WAI LIN2 wiper motor carries the latest technological advancements, according to the company. The new smart motors process operation requests sent over a bidirectional LIN 2 (local interconnect network) Bus interface with the SCCM (steering column control module) and rain sensor (optional). WAI’s LIN2 smart wiper motors are designed to deal with common faults and failures of wiper motors. Through replacement, WAI’s LIN2 smart wiper motors have shown to reduce replacement comebacks, by simplifying a complex and often difficult part replacement, according to the company. The LIN2 protocol offers the latest in intelligent control and ensures accuracy and compatibility for all vehicles that use it. With built-in diagnostics, the smart wiper motor will automatically align to the vehicle settings for wiper speed and matches the number of speed increments. The wiper motor electronics smart technologies feature Transpo intelligent design. Transpo electronics design is a critical part of the WAI Global product development. Transpo is well known for designing and engineering innovative and high-quality electronics pulse boards, chip technologies, and rotating electronics components. “WAI engineering works hard to develop solutions for smart wiper technologies that support all connection protocols including LIN2,” said Bizhan Roozrokh, head of engineering at WAI. “Our goal is to enable installers to be able to complete a wiper motor replacement quickly with no technical programming steps. The product should be plug-and-play to get customers on their way. The electronic ecosystem is a rock-solid foundation that reliably and accurately adapts and controls all wiper functionality regardless of environmental circumstances.” WAI implements a design principle called the synergistic design platform that is applied to advance all sub-elements of the product. This results in improvements and innovations such as ultra-light aluminum housings that are engineered to prevent sensitive electronics failure due to corrosion, leading to a longer service life. Each unit contains 100% all-new, precision-assembled components. “WAI has extensive coverage to ensure we have you covered with our extensive range of all makes and models,” WAI said in a news release. “All parts and components are tested against OEM specifications to equal or exceed them.” The post WAI Introduces Smart Wiper Motors appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Delphi Technologies, a BorgWarner brand, announced that it released 87 parts across its product lines, the first of several parts announcements to come in 2023. “We’re pleased to further expand our parts coverage for vehicles in any stage of their lifecycle,” said Jenna Boone, general manager of Delphi Technologies North America. “We have multiple product announcements planned throughout 2023 and beyond, so we’re excited to demonstrate the growth in our portfolio while remaining dedicated to our quality and reliability.” Of the five new products to its fuel-delivery line, three are first-to-market fuel-pump module assemblies (FG2262, FG2669 and FG2667), according to the company. The new products cover approximately 2.43 million vehicles in operation (VIO) in the United States and Canada, covering both domestic and import brands such as the Chrysler Pacifica and Voyager, Nissan Rogue and Acura TLX. Sparta has added 22 parts to its portfolio. The specialty line by Delphi Technologies for high-mileage and early-model vehicles now covers an additional 11.36 million VIO for the United States and Canada. The added products include fuel-tank sending units, fuel-pump module assemblies and fuel-pump strainers for brands such as Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, Chrysler, Nissan, Jeep and Hummer. “Our goal with Sparta is to fulfill a request we’ve been receiving for years: a fuel line specifically dedicated to earlier makes and higher mileages with the Delphi Technologies quality technicians have come to know,” said Malcolm Sissmore, vice president, sales and marketing of Delphi Technologies. “We have a lot of great things in store for this year, Sparta included.” Delphi Technologies continues to launch steering and suspension parts across all makes and model years, adding 21 new parts to cover 17 million VIO in Canada and the United States. More than 10 types of parts were announced, some of which include tie-rod ends, ball joints, control arms, stabilizer-bar link kits and more. Regarding the company’s engine-management portfolio, the product line announced a total of 39 new parts. Sixteen of the new parts are manifold absolute-pressure sensors, bolstering an additional 20 million VIO for the United States across brands such as Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Volkswagen, Dodge and BMW. A sizeable addition for the engine-management line are 10 new ABS wheel-speed sensors for a total of 10 million VIO in the United States for brands such as Lexus, Ford, Chrysler and Toyota. Other parts announced include ignition coils, engine crankshaft/camshaft position sensors, an air-charge temperature sensor and a mass airflow sensor. For more information about recently release Delphi Technologies parts, visit the “New” tab on delphi. mypartfinder.com. To browse Sparta offerings, visit sparta.mypartfinder.com. The post Delphi Technologies Adds 87 Parts Across its Product Lines appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Dana Incorporated and TruckPro LLC received the 2023 MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers Channel Excellence Award presented by Epicor thanks to their recent collaboration. The companies worked together in the development of the Dana EZ-ID Tool for Spicer ReadyShaft, which helps heavy-duty parts distributors and their customers to identify the correct replacement Spicer ReadyShaft driveshaft assembly for virtually any common commercial-vehicle application. Craig Bishop, head of NA Aftermarket Sales for Dana, and Steve Lockridge, vice president of sales & marketing operations at TruckPro, accepted the award on behalf of their respective companies at the 2023 MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers Vision Conference in Rosemont, Illinois. The annual MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers Channel Excellence Award presented by Epicor recognizes innovation and collaboration between suppliers and channel partners that drive aftermarket growth. The Dana EZ-ID application addresses a problem commonly faced in heavy-duty service bays: the absence of a product tag, part number or other identification on a worn driveshaft. The Dana solution streamlines the research into approximately 10,000 parts combinations to help the user quickly and easily order the correct replacement unit, speeding the repair and increasing vehicle uptime. “This is an example of a great idea made better through collaboration among a manufacturer and a valued channel partner,” said Tim Hardin, senior vice president and general manager, Global Auto, Data and Extend Services, Epicor. “Developing the Dana EZ-ID Tool for Spicer ReadyShaft required a significant investment in time, resources and shared insight – and the benefits are impressive for all parties.” “We are very proud of this achievement as it embodies Dana’s philosophy of ‘People Finding a Better Way,’” Bishop said. “It would not have been possible without the innovative spirit of our team members along with the strategic collaboration with our valued customer, TruckPro. Thank you to MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers and Epicor for recognizing the significance of the EZ-ID visual search application, and the industrywide solution it delivers for customer uptime.” “The Dana EZ-ID Tool has expanded our capabilities to service complete driveshaft assemblies throughout our network of over 150 TruckPro locations and advanced service shops,” Lockridge explained. “This program is an excellent example of two industry leaders working together to provide a better way to service our customers. We would like to thank MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers and Epicor for this opportunity to acknowledge this collaboration.” “This award recognizes the achievements in collaboration and innovation between suppliers and their channel partners to drive growth together,” said Paul McCarthy, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers president. “We give this award to encourage an openness to the behaviors we all know we need to see – innovation and collaboration across the value chain. We congratulate Dana and TruckPro for a great example of that collaboration: bringing real value to the end customer, and utilizing technology and partnering to bring speed, accuracy and efficiency to fulfillment.” To learn more about the Channel Excellence Award, visit the Channel Excellence Award web page. The post Dana, TruckPro Receive MEMA Channel Excellence Award appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and DTE Energy (DTE) announced Toyota’s enrollment in MIGreenPower, DTE’s voluntary renewable-energy program. Toyota’s participation puts all of TMNA’s R&D operations in Michigan on a path to attribute 100% of their electricity use to renewable energy projects starting in 2026, according to the company. This includes the company’s R&D headquarters in Ann Arbor along with six other facilities across Washtenaw County. TMNA’s clean-energy commitment covers a 20-year period and will have the environmental benefit equal to avoiding 29,000 metric tons of CO2 or the greenhouse gas emissions from more than 6,200 gasoline-powered passenger cars driven for a year, according to Toyota and DTE. “Renewable-energy programs like DTE’s MIGreenPower program are crucial to helping companies seeking a reduced carbon footprint to achieve their goals,” said Kevin Butt, director of environmental sustainability for TMNA. “From our R&D facilities in Michigan to our production and corporate facilities across the nation, Toyota aims to achieve carbon neutrality throughout our operations by 2035.” MIGreenPower is among the largest voluntary renewable-energy programs in the United States. The program enables DTE Electric’s residential and business customers to attribute an even greater percentage of their electricity use to Michigan-made wind and solar projects beyond the 15% DTE already provides. To date, the company has more than 800 businesses enrolled in the program along with more than 85,000 residential customers. On an annual basis, MIGreenPowercustomers have enrolled 4 million megawatt hours of clean energy in the program, which has the environmental benefit equivalent to avoiding more than three million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually or the greenhouse gas emissions from more than 630,000 gasoline-powered passenger cars, according to DTE. Program participation is accelerating the development of new wind and solar projects in Michigan. By 2026, DTE will add more than 2,000 megawatts of new clean-energy projects to meet program demand, according to DTE. “We are excited to welcome Toyota to the MIGreenPower program,” said Brian Calka, vice president, renewable sales and Project Development for DTEEnergy. “Toyota joins a growing list of Michigan-based automotive manufacturers and suppliers who are enrolling in MIGreenPower to meet their sustainability goals. Currently, more than 70% of MIGreenPower business customers are involved in the automotive sector.” DTE is Michigan’s largest producer of and investor in renewable energy and is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. In its CleanVision Integrated Resource Plan filed in November 2022 with the Michigan Public Service Commission, DTE proposed increasing investment in solar and wind energy, accelerating the retirement of coal plants, and investing in the development of new energy storage. If the new plan is approved, the company noted it will add more than 15,000 megawatts of new renewable energy projects over the next two decades. The post Toyota on Path to Achieve 100% Renewable Energy appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

As one of the most powerful industries contributing to the U.S. economy, motor vehicle suppliers today have to balance both being influential as well as influenced by the challenges and opportunities in today’s ever-evolving industry. According to a 2019 study conducted by IHS Markit and commissioned by MEMA, the motor vehicle supplier industry continues to maintain its stronghold as one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the United States. Total employment in this sector makes up roughly 2.5% of the U.S. GDP and provided approximately 4.8 million direct and indirect jobs and induced employment in 2019 (when the study was conducted). Impacting not only the country’s economy but also public safety and the environment, this is an industry with major impact and a powerful voice. For the March AMN/Counterman cover story, we asked some of today’s top leaders in the supplier industry to tell us what’s top of mind for their businesses right now. What challenges and opportunities keep them up at night? What is their sense for the business environment in 2023 and other questions specific to their particular market segments? We’ve asked them to speak on topics such as EVs, the role of remanufacturing in achieving sustainability targets, the biggest contributors to innovation, the state of the supply chain, U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and more. Chloe Hung Chief Executive Officer, Autel U.S. As a leader in the EV charging space, what are your expectations for the EV market this year and moving forward? There’s little doubt that the EV market will continue to see significant, sustained growth this year and beyond. Several factors contribute to that belief, including the introduction of EVs by almost every vehicle brand last year, with many setting goals of EV-only lines within the next decade or so. Another is the passage of the infrastructure bill that incentivizes EV purchasers and offers stimulus funds to businesses, communities and municipalities interested in implementing charging stations. What can the aftermarket do – techs especially – to prepare for the increasing adoption of EVs? I think this moment in time offers technicians a unique opportunity – as electric and hybrid vehicles are starting to come to their shops – to not only educate themselves about electric vehicle servicing and repair but also to start to transition their shop layout, equipment and tools from what traditional-fuel vehicle repair requires. This equipment will include new diagnostics products, Level 2 chargers for repair and service bays and, possibly, Level 3 chargers for customer and public use. This reassessment of space could allow shops to keep services in-house that they might have previously been subbing out, including ADAS calibrations. EVs and advance driver-assistance systems (ADAS) are rising in parallel. One would be hard-pressed to purchase a new vehicle without automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keep assist, and the march toward autonomous vehicles continues though less fervent than previously anticipated. The belief is that the continued growth of the electric vehicle will only accelerate the use of ADAS components in vehicles, as the EV design lends itself quite efficiently to using such sensors. Performing calibrations in-house is a revenue generator that enables shops to keep the funds lost in subletting calibrations and to earn additional revenue by offering such services to other shops. What are your thoughts about the business environment for the aftermarket in 2023? As supply chain and chip shortage issues continue to be resolved, 2023 may be when the aftermarket experiences real growth. In addition, more drivers are returning to their daily commute, resulting in more vehicles being repaired and serviced, which should also drive aftermarket growth. What are the opportunities your company is most excited about at this time? On the EV charger front, we consistently develop new AC and DC charging solutions for every commercial need, including repair and service centers, fleet managers, multi-unit dwellings, parking facilities, retailers and traditional fueling centers. And in diagnostics, we are incredibly excited about the opportunities our recently signed collaboration agreement with Repairify will mean for our companies and users. Via the arrangement, Repairify will deliver OEM-remote solutions, including diagnostics, calibrations and programming to our Remote Expert platform users. Conversely, what are the biggest challenges for your business in 2023? Autel has been fortunate to experience tremendous growth in the last few years. We purchased a 50,000-square-foot building, hired additional staff and expanded into a related but new industry for us, EV chargers. And we are about to finalize our selection of a factory site in the U.S. to produce chargers to comply with the infrastructure bill’s “Made in America” provisions. A lot is going on. But the challenges remain the same as when Autel started in the United States nearly 15 years ago, with just a handful of us working out of a small office. It is to develop products that enable our customers to realize genuine value. It holds true for the diagnostic tablet we make for the shop technician and the charger that a new EV driver just installed in his home garage. Eric Luftig SVP, Product & Engineering, Dorman Products As a company that prides itself on creating problem-solving products, what would you say are the biggest contributors to innovation at Dorman and why? It definitely starts with directly engaging our customers – the people on the front lines fixing cars and trucks every day. We’ve built several mechanisms for getting their feedback over several decades now, from our dedicated Ideation team that talks to repair professionals on a daily basis, to our newly expanded Dorman Training Center offerings that hold technician training classes around North America. We’ve also structured our business to foster new insights and seize new opportunities. We have an enormous portfolio, with hundreds of different categories and more than 120,000 individual products. To both support that and keep innovating, we’ve expanded our teams of product experts and engineers, and organized groups focused on distinct vehicle systems. That allows us to be specialists at scale. Our culture is also a driver of innovation. We started as a small, family-run company, and even now that we’re a global enterprise, people are still highly encouraged to propose new ideas and play an active role in contributing to our company’s future. That makes our entire workforce a wellspring of problem-solving. What are your thoughts about the business environment for the aftermarket in 2023? We see many positive trends on the horizon for this year. We love to see vehicles staying on the road longer and traveling more miles, which portends stronger business for the aftermarket. We’re also continuing to see strong trends toward digitalization, with more consumers shopping for parts and service online than ever before. That’s required companies like ours to make new investments in technology, data and product content, and we were honored last year with multiple awards highlighting this work, including from the Auto Care Association and several of our retailer, distributor and cataloging partners. We think the business environment will be very positive for manufacturers and sellers who are dedicated to delivering better digital experiences this year and in years to come. What are the opportunities your company is most excited about at this time? Conversely, what are the biggest challenges for your business in 2023? We are most excited about continuing to invest in our technology, our people and growth into a wider range of vehicles. We are increasingly platform-agnostic, whether it be light-duty or heavy-duty, automobiles or specialty vehicles, or ICEs or EVs and HEVs. Dorman was one of the first companies to develop aftermarket solutions for hybrid vehicles a decade ago, and we’re hard at work developing more solutions for increasingly popular all-electric vehicles today. In the past couple years, we’ve also welcomed Dayton Parts and SuperATV to the Dorman family, and we look forward to growing with both of these highly respected brands. As far as challenges, everyone knows there’s a lingering COVID hangover that still impacts global supply chains, but we are already seeing those issues start to resolve themselves. We believe the hard lessons from the past few years have made us much better as a company and prepared to deliver better service to our customers this year and beyond. Michael Kitching President and Chief Executive Officer, GB Remanufacturing With sustainability becoming an increasingly important topic to the aftermarket, what are your thoughts on the role that reman plays in the increasing efforts to meet sustainability measures? How does GB Remanufacturing help customers meet current and future sustainability goals? Great question for a remanufacturer! Remanufacturing and the use of remanufactured parts should be at the forefront of any and all sustainability initiatives. Consider the amount of energy and resources being consumed from start to finish to produce new, OE parts. These parts are necessary in the production of a new vehicle, but once the vehicle enters the aftermarket, we should be considering a sustainable alternative, and that’s where remanufactured products come into play. Remanufacturing or sustainable manufacturing restores a part to OE specifications, and oftentimes the result is a part that is better than the OE part that failed. Replacing the parts that wear out and fail, replacing or fixing known failure modes, recalibrating the part and testing the part to OE specifications are all part of the remanufacturing process. The beautiful thing about remanufacturing is that, more often than not, we get to reuse the “shell” of the original part that never wears out and that saves precious resources. In almost every instance, our remanufacturing processes save raw material, energy and labor when compared to a similar new product. This allows us to offer our customers a product that is equal to or better than a similar new product at a significant cost savings. High-quality remanufactured parts and competitive pricing give our customers the opportunity to enhance or increase their sustainability initiatives within their companies. Remanufacturing is a win-win proposition for both our customers and the planet. What are your thoughts about the business environment for the aftermarket in 2023? I’m not going to pretend to be an economist, but I can tell you with certainty that our business remains strong through the first two months of 2023, with solid growth expected for the remainder of the year. This is following an extremely strong 2022. Historically, consumers keep their existing vehicles longer, drive more and repair their vehicles themselves or at independent repair facilities in times of high inflation and/or recessionary times. This is all good news for the automotive aftermarket, and has been very good for our company in past similar economic cycles. As a remanufacturer in the aftermarket, we provide products to consumers and shops that allow them to save either themselves or their customers money, while offering them parts that meet or exceed OE specifications – two key advantages in economic uncertainty. Supply chain, inflation and labor issues remain real for us. The supply chain is improving each and every month. We invested heavily in safety stock several years ago and that has helped us tremendously throughout the last few years. Raw material and freight costs continue to increase on a monthly basis, which is concerning. The labor market is unlike anything I’ve ever seen in the almost 37 years we’ve been in business. It’s very frustrating and concerning. I don’t see the labor situation getting any better with current legislation and the business climate in California, unfortunately. What are the opportunities your company is most excited about at this time? Conversely, what are the biggest challenges for your business in 2023? Opportunities for our business in 2023: We are excited about furthering our plan towards becoming an even more sustainable company. In addition to remanufacturing an extensive line of remanufactured gasoline and diesel fuel system related products, we are working hard at critiquing every aspect of our business and asking ourselves “What can we do better?” in regards to making sure that we reduce, reuse, recycle and remanufacture in every department. While looking at our own operation, we want to be an advocate for remanufacturers in our industry and around the world through education and by using our products as a testament to the quality of remanufactured goods. Additionally, we are doubling down on our efforts to keep as many jobs related to GB Remanufacturing and our product lines right here in the USA. Finally, we are looking to expand into a few different product lines, and will be working hard on this project in the coming year. Challenges for our business in 2023: I touched on this subject in the previous question, but our largest challenges, in no particular order, are supply chain related issues, inflation and attracting and retaining team members. If we could solve these three issues, life would be really good! Eric Sills Chief Executive Officer, Standard Motor Products You have personally testified before Congress on issues such as supply chain challenges and U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. What are your thoughts on these issues as they stand today? Are we seeing improvements? What still needs to change in your opinion? Thankfully we are seeing a lessening of supply chain disruption, both from a delay perspective as well as relief from the outsized cost inflation of transportation. That said, we are far from back-to-normal. It surely has taken longer than anyone would have expected and I believe it highlights the fragility of the global supply chain the world has come to rely on. Which leads me to the second part of your question: U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. I am a firm believer in regional competitiveness, and moving from global supply chains to regional ones. Certain things make sense to manufacture here, while others are a better fit for Mexico. But it took decades to build out the China model, and moving things back will not be an easy or quick task. What are your thoughts about the business environment for the aftermarket in 2023? I continue to feel good about market conditions. The majority of the trends are positive – aging car parc, increasing VIO, rebounding miles driven – we all know the stats. And while there are legitimate concerns about heading into difficult economic times, the aftermarket tends to outperform, especially for non-discretionary product categories. For most Americans, their vehicle is their means of going about their lives – it needs to operate properly and safely. What are the opportunities your company is most excited about at this time? Conversely, what are the biggest challenges for your business in 2023? While automotive technology has always evolved, it is now doing so at an accelerated rate. And while this is certainly a challenge, it also presents tremendous opportunity for those willing to invest in it. This has always been the case for SMP. We’ve been told many times over our 100+ year history that we were going to get killed by new technology – electronic ignition, fuel injection, etc. – and yet each time we turned the challenge into a major component of our business. So, while it is clearly growing more daunting, and while we are facing external battles like data access that are increasing the challenge, we continue to invest in manufacturing capabilities, to train technicians on these new systems, and to hire great talent to get it all done for us. Matt Roney President, DRiV DRiV is known to have some of the most venerable brands in the aftermarket. What goes into maintaining a strong brand reputation for a product that’s been around a long time, while also ensuring customers that it is on the cutting-edge of technology and innovation? Ultimately, brands are built on trust, and trust is developed over a long period of time delivering sustained performance. The various brands within DRiV, including Monroe, MOOG, Fel-Pro, Walker, Champion, Wagner and many others, each stand for a variety of factors that instill trust in the thousands of installers who choose our products, the distributors who carry our products and the consumers who ultimately rely on our products. Some of the common threads across the DRiV brands include high quality and durability, superior product performance and a commitment to partner with our customers to ensure our products are available when our customers need them. By continually delivering on these promises, we build and reinforce the trust in DRiV and each of our individual brands. This requires a commitment to innovation, operational excellence, brand marketing support and customer relationships. For example, our engineers are busy developing new solutions, including over 1,400 new part numbers to be introduced in 2023 and many first-to-market innovations like our patented carbon fiber bearing designs to create stronger and more durable chassis control arms and ball joints. In addition, we are innovating in data analytics to evaluate forward-deployed inventory to work with our channel partners to ensure the right, targeted products are available quickly to each repair shop by zip code. On the operational excellence front, we continue to invest in our world-class manufacturing facilities to manufacture in the regions we sell with the best quality and durability. From a brand marketing perspective, we continue to support all our brands in market, clearly defining each brand’s value proposition and why our products are superior to the competition. Finally, as we partner with our customers throughout the value chain, our Garage Gurus team continues to provide much-needed training and technical knowledge to the technician community. Through the Gurus program, we provide technicians with the opportunity to keep up with the latest vehicle technologies for increasingly complicated repair jobs on newer vehicles. It’s the sum of these investments that maintain our brand reputation while innovating for the future. What are your thoughts about the business environment for the aftermarket in 2023? The last few years have been anything but an ordinary business environment. We’ve seen a rise in pandemic-fueled DIY in 2020, followed by a rebound in DIFM with the stimulus payments in 2021, and some corrections in 2022 as inflation and supply constraints muted market volumes. Looking ahead, we expect some reversion back to somewhat more normal activity in 2023, and with an aging and growing car parc we expect volume growth for the next few years. What are the opportunities your company is most excited about at this time? Conversely, what are the biggest challenges for your business in 2023? We are extremely excited about firmly establishing our commitment to service the global car parc across the full range of technologies for years to come. Where other companies are moving away from categories like engine and exhaust, we see an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to VIO coverage and availability in these segments. In addition, we continue to lead the way in training for emerging technology areas like ADAS and electrification and have a range of products well-suited to these vehicles along with our full lineup of powertrain-agnostic products like shocks and struts, chassis and braking. The biggest challenges for our business are not unique to DRiV, as companies around the world are wrestling with the macroeconomic impacts of the war in Ukraine, increased inflation and the shortage of skilled labor. Global supply chains remain strained, and therefore we remain committed to our strategy to manufacture in region. I mentioned our commitment to training, as that is also a response to the continued technician shortage across the industry. Through our Garage Gurus program, we annually offer academic scholarships to students who are enrolled in collegiate or high school technician and repair programs. Another challenge for us is the status of Right to Repair legislation across the U.S. So far in 2023, 20 states have filed legislation to address the issue, so we will be watching that carefully as the bills progress through state legislatures. Finally, as inflation continues to impact the industry, our commitment to operational excellence and innovation will help ensure we are providing the right value to our customers for years to come. The post Auto Parts Manufacturers Share Their Perspectives appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Counterman’s “Guess the Car” contest challenges our readers to solve an automotive riddle, for a chance to win $100. And each month, we receive hundreds of responses from aftermarket professionals trying to guess the model of the vehicle depicted. The correct answer for the February/March contest is the Chrysler Pacifica. The winner is Elissa Herbert, retail specialist/counter sales for NAPA Auto Parts in Ambler, Pennsylvania. Now, let’s get to know the “Guess the Car” champion. CM: How long have you been working in the auto parts business? EH: I started in the automotive industry as a technician when I was 14. I was working part-time in auto parts also. I probably started [full-time] in auto parts when I was in my early 20s. CM: What do you like most about your job? EH: I like to help people – especially women who come in and don’t know anything [about cars]. I’m like, “Listen, I got you.” It’s kind of scary coming into these places, because they’re all full of guys. When [women] see me, they’re a little relieved, like, “Oh I can talk to you.” CM: What’s the strangest question a customer has asked you? EH: Once I had a customer call me for a set of brake pads: one rotor and one caliper. I had to get the caliper down from the very top shelf and it was quite heavy. When the customer came in to pick up his parts, he said he only needed the brakes and rotor, not the caliper. I jokingly gave him a hard time about how difficult it was to get down, and now I have to put it back. He asked me if he could make it up to me by taking me out to dinner! I accepted the offer and we dated for four years after that. CM: What’s the coolest car you’ve ever owned or worked on? EH: My first car was a 1986 [Camaro] Z28, and I loved that very much. And it was older than me, so I was trying to keep it running as long as I could. CM: Do you have any interesting hobbies? What do you do for fun? EH: I go hiking with my husband and daughter. We usually take our little 5-pound morkie, who likes to go for miles and miles. CM: What’s your dream car? EH: A Bugatti Veyron. CM: Doesn’t matter what year? EH: No, it’s just always been a Bugatti for me. I love them all. The post Meet the ‘Guess the Car’ Champ: Elissa Herbert appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

NTN, the parent company of BCA Bearings, recently announced the launch of BCA’s 2023 “Summer Cruisin’” promotion. During the promotion, BCA’s warehouse-distributor customers can earn BCA-branded, premium merchandise with orders of BCA wheel-hub assemblies, bearings and seals. “We are excited to unveil the theme of our 2023 summer promotion” said Georgianne Dickey, director of marketing. “The Summer Cruisin’ theme is meant to evoke the feeling of hitting the road for a summer cruise in a classic car, hanging out with friends and family at a car show, or just cruising with your windows down in your freshly washed car. The promotional items were selected to complement the ‘Summer Cruisin’’ theme, so they are all items that an auto enthusiast would want to keep handy for the summer. We look forward another successful summer promotion with our BCA customers!” BCA’s Summer Cruisin’ promotion enables customers to earn tiered packages of BCA branded merchandise with qualifying orders, which they can then use to conduct their own localized promotions. This allows the BCA-branded merchandise to reach every level of the distribution channel, from the counter people who recommend BCA products to the technicians who install them. “The Summer Cruisin’ promotional items pay homage to summer car care activities that we all undertake to keep our prized vehicles fresh and clean,” NTN said in a news release. “Start off with a carwash bucket kit to sparkle up the exterior, shop towels to clean and polish inside and out, and a multi-function car duster to give the finish a final shine. Use the funnel to top off your fluids, throw on the stylish trucker cap, and now you’re ready to cruise. As your cruisin’ down the road, you can keep your trunk neatly organized with the tailgate carry-all, while keeping refreshments cold in the wheeled cooler. Once you arrive at your destination, you have a can coolie to keep your drink cold, a gameday director’s chair to relax in comfort, and a clamp-on umbrella to keep you cool in the shade. Now you’re Summer Cruisin’ with BCA!” BCA’s 2023 Summer Cruisin’ promotion runs from April 1 through June 15, so keep an eye out for BCA merchandise coming to a summer cruise near you. For additional details about BCA’s 2023 Summer Cruisin’ promotion, contact a BCA sales representative or customer relations advocate. The post BCA Bearings Announces 2023 ‘Summer Cruisin” Promotion appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

The University of the Aftermarket, through Northwood University, is accepting registration for online courses for automotive-industry professionals to earn continuing-education units to obtain special industry designations. “Our Distance Education program offers in-depth, semester-long business skills classes taught by Northwood University faculty,” said Thomas Litzinger, executive director of the University of the Aftermarket. “We collaborate with companies, associations, and groups throughout the motor vehicle aftermarket to create custom industry-specific educational programs.” The CEUs can be used toward AAP, ACP and MAAP designations, and translate into college credits toward an associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree. “Northwood University and the University of the Aftermarket recently enhanced our ACP, AAP and MAAP designations, and we are introducing a SPAAP designation,” Litzinger stated. “Our industry designations are designed to promote continuous education within the automotive industry and to recognize professionals who are committed to personal and professional growth.” SPAAP is designed for industry executives who want to take the next step in their educational journey by participating in rigorous master’s-level coursework. “Our SPAAP will set the new standard for excellence in education for our industry and will be highly sought after by leading executives,” Litzinger added. “The development of our SPAAP designation indicates the University of the Aftermarket’s dedication to the Automotive Aftermarket, to continuous education and to the empowerment of the human condition.” The University of Aftermarket, through Northwood University, provides a number of online classes for industry professionals, including: Strategic sales and marketing Heavy-duty parts and service marketing Aftermarket field sales management Business law Principles of management Organizational behavior Business productivity software Principals of marketing Selling & sales management Consumer behavior World culture and customs The culture of leadership For more information, visit https://admissions.northwood.edu/corporate/uofa. The post UofA Accepting Registration for Online Summer Courses appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Penzoil recently introduced the “Long May We Drive” campaign, celebrating the thrill of driving and carving your own path on the open road. “Every person has a unique story to tell when it comes to driving, and every vehicle can tell a thousand tales,” Penzoil explained in a news release. “No matter where and what someone drives, or whether cars are used for hugging curves in the road, commuting to work or packing up kids and heading for the mountains, Pennzoil wants to celebrate the pursuit of the next mile with this campaign.” Featuring real drivers with a passion for car culture, “Long May We Drive” focuses on the stories of those who are passionate about taking care of their engine, those who relish the open road or those racing into the record books track by track. One of those real drivers, who not only owns the road but also moves the industry forward, is Larry Chen, an automotive content creator. Chen and his daughter are featured in the campaign, tinkering in the garage like a normal weekend, alongside a real cast of drivers including offroad enthusiasts and a five-star-rated rideshare driver. Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 Pennzoil Ford Mustang and two-time NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) champion, is a key driver in this campaign, highlighting his dedication to pushing his engine to the limits. Pennzoil also is proud to spotlight a budding relationship with motorsports enthusiast Torsten Gross. In the campaign, Gross demonstrates his drive to celebrate mobility and challenge the norm. As a racecar driver and a C6 quadriplegic who uses hand controls, Gross created the Just Hands Foundation to allow others in similar conditions to experience the thrill of driving at racecar speeds. “Pennzoil is proud to champion his mission of equalizing mobility in motorsports, supporting the Just Hands Racing team’s development of more cars modified with hand controls to hit the racetracks nationwide so people with disabilities can experience the thrill of racing,” the company said. Cars provide an irreplicable source of freedom and self-expression, and the love of the drive is a common thread that connects us all. “Wherever your car is going to take you, Pennzoil will be there,” the company said in a news release. “The ‘Long May We Drive’ campaign serves as a reminder that each person’s path of driving is unique, and Pennzoil invites you to join in this exciting ride!” The post Penzoil Celebrates the Next Mile With New Marketing Campaign appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Advance Auto Parts recently announced that Tom Greco has informed the company of his plan to retire as president and chief executive officer of the company at the end of the year. Following Greco’s retirement, he plans to serve in an advisory capacity through a transition period, the company noted. In connection with Greco’s planned retirement and the company’s succession-planning process, the Advance Auto Parts board has formed a succession committee, composed of independent directors. The board intends to retain a leading executive search firm to assist in a thorough and comprehensive search that considers both internal and external candidates, Advance said in a news release. “It has been a privilege to lead Advance and I am extremely proud of the talented team we have built as well as the accomplishments we have delivered together,” Greco said. “Since my appointment as CEO, we have successfully integrated a transformative acquisition while scaling the business and enhancing our operational efficiency, inventory and distribution capabilities to better serve our customers. “I believe now is the right time to begin to transition leadership for two primary reasons. First, we are in the final year of our three-year strategic business plan and are in the process of updating our next multi-year strategy. This transition will enable my successor to play a role in developing the next chapter of Advance’s strategy and help ensure the long-term success of Advance. Secondly, by planning for retirement in advance, I will be able to work with the board’s succession committee to identify my successor and facilitate a smooth transition. In the meantime, I’m committed to the execution of our 2023 plan to continue delivering for customers and driving long-term shareholder value.” Eugene Lee Jr., chair of the board of directors, asserted that Greco “has constructed a strong foundation that will enable success in Advance’s next chapters.” “Under his leadership, Advance has transformed its talent base and culture, delivered nearly $2 billion of revenue growth and more than doubled its adjusted earnings per share over the last five years,” Lee Jr. said. “Advance is now better-positioned to meet the challenges of today’s dynamic environment and as we undertake our search for the next CEO, we are focused on ensuring that the company continues to unlock its enormous potential and deliver long-term shareholder value.” The post Advance Auto Parts CEO Tom Greco to Retire appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Car-shopping marketplace Cars.com has revealed its 2023 Top Picks for electric vehicles in conjunction with the company’s 2023 EV Buying Guide. Cars.com experts examined the price, range, comfort and features of 40-plus EV models on sale in 2023 to determine the Top Picks for Value, Family, Luxury and Commuters. Cars.com’s 2023 Top EV Picks, which can be found in the Cars.com EV Buying Guide, are: Family EV 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 – The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a compact SUV with much more space inside than meets the eye – there’s room to carry a family and haul all the stuff that comes with them. Inside, parents will appreciate the storage nooks, perfect for stashing snacks or devices. For those with kids in car seats, the Ioniq 5’s backseat easily accommodates two car seats thanks to its abundant legroom and no-nonsense Latch anchors for easy connection. With a competitive EPA-estimated maximum range of 220-303 miles, depending on configuration, this family vehicle is ready for short and long road trips. Value EV 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV – The Chevy Bolt EV hatchback is a well-equipped all-electric vehicle with an EPA-estimated maximum range of 259 miles that starts at less than $30,000 before any applicable tax incentives. Featuring a 10.2-inch touchscreen multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, automatic climate control, automatic emergency braking and lane departure steering assist, this hatch delivers more than enough to satisfy budget-conscious car shoppers. Luxury EV 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 – The Genesis Electrified G80 is a gorgeous, electrified luxury sedan with an opulent interior that outshines the competition. The multimedia system is simple to use, easy to decipher and elegant. In addition, this luxury EV elevates the driving experience to one where there is practically no powertrain noise at all – unless you want there to be. Commuter EV 2023 Kia Niro EV – The Kia Niro EV is a fun and dynamic four-door compact hatchback with a comfortable ride and pleasant cabin – perfect for long commutes or traffic jams. With an estimated maximum range of 253 miles, owners shouldn’t need to plug in every night, plus the hatchback body packs a respectable amount of cargo and passenger space within a tidy, easy-to-park exterior dimension. For more, visit Cars.com’s 2023 EV Buying Guide. The post Cars.Com Reveals Top EV Picks for 2023 appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Idemitsu Lubricants America and O’Reilly Auto Parts have jointly announced a nationwide expansion of their partnership. As a result of this new affiliation, all Idemitsu transmission fluids now are available through O’Reilly’s national network of Auto Parts Stores. Idemitsu Lubricants America is the largest supplier of Japanese OEM lubricants in North America. Idemitsu’s Japanese OEM-specific transmission fluids are developed explicitly for each OE vehicle’s transmission application. This way, vehicle owners benefit from the same OE-quality product that their vehicle’s transmissions were designed to use for optimal functionality, according to the company. “Developed to meet the most stringent requirements of Japanese automakers, Idemitsu’s application-specific formulas guarantee no shift shocks, less clutch wear and reduced fuel and oil consumption,” the company added. Founded in 1911, Idemitsu a leading supplier of OE-specific automatic (ATF) and continuously variable (CVTF) transmission fluids to Japanese automakers, such as Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Acura, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Subaru and Mazda. “We’re so very pleased to be partnering with O’Reilly Auto Parts on such a large scale,” said Frank Lam, Idemitsu senior division manager for the aftermarket. “This new distribution relationship will allow more O’Reilly locations across the country and, more importantly, their automotive service and Japanese-branded vehicle-owner customers, access to Idemitsu’s OE-quality lineup of transmission fluids developed specifically for their vehicles.” The post Idemitsu, O’Reilly Auto Parts Expand Partnership appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article