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By Counterman
The APA/Trustar 2025 Annual Meeting, held March 21-24 in New Orleans at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, was a success on many levels, from recognizing supplier and shareholder achievements to forging and renewing business partnerships. Automotive Parts Associates said it prides itself on prioritizing in-person connection opportunities for members, suppliers and shareholders, with this event being an ideal forum for networking.
Guests heard from leaders across the industry, including Ted Hughes with the Auto Care Association and Simeon Gutman with Morgan Stanley. Group sessions on topics ranging from electric vehicles to cybersecurity were offered, as well as the opportunity for one-on-one meetings between members, shareholders and suppliers.
“The business is still people to people, and I think get-togethers like this prove that even more. A lot of business was written, a lot of friendships renewed, and a lot of business relationships renewed, so we had a lot of fun,” said
link hidden, please login to view link hidden, please login to view President Steve Tucker. “We did a lot of business and it was good to see everybody get together. We had a little over 300 people total in attendance and multiple countries [represented], including Germany, Switzerland, the United States and Canada.” The long weekend was capped off by a special awards banquet hosted at the WWII Museum. Attendees wined and dined under restored war planes and got a chance to view one of the exhibits. After dinner, an awards ceremony was held to honor those making significant achievements in the past year.
DENSO came home with the coveted “APA Supplier of the Year” Award, saying it’s through hard work and good partnerships through
link hidden, please login to view that they are able to accomplish everything over the past 365 days. “It just shows that everybody’s efforts are recognized from my sales guys to the people in the warehouse, to all the key functional departments in our business. It’s a team effort, and to be recognized from this group is super important,” Jose Ramirez, senior manager of light-duty and heavy-duty aftermarket sales for DENSO, said. “For us, it’s a big deal, but I think it’s something for all of us to be proud of as a company. Not just the sales guys, but everybody.”
“We value our suppliers, we value our shareholders and members. We are able to get to come together and promote the industry and promote the business as one,” Tucker said.
All of the award winners from this year’s gala, as well as additional images, are showcased below.
2025 Supplier Awards
APA Supplier of the Year Award – DENSO Distinguished OE Partner Award – Hitachi Outstanding Marketing Partner Award – Bosch Cornerstone Award – Standard Motor Products Ambassador Award – Wheeler Fleet Solutions Technology Award – Pricedex Phoenix Award – Holstein Parts APA Supplier Champion Award – David Arriaga APA Shooting Star Award – Judy Sanell 2025 Shareholder Awards
Dan Freeman Excellence Award – Singh Auto Parts
Milestone Awards – 80 Years APA Shareholder
AB&S Warehouse Factory Motor Parts Milestone Awards – 30 Years APA Shareholder
Royal Auto Parts Schulz Motor Parts Wheeler Fleet Solutions Tinker Auto Parts Milestone Awards – 10 Years APA Shareholder
Ideal Auto Parts Inc. Victory Imported Parts New Shareholder
Bob’s Speed & Auto Parts Hamilton Discount Auto Parts New TruStar Members
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By Counterman
FleetPride, Inc. announced its annual supplier awards during its recent Supplier Summit at the Gaylord Texan Hotel and Resort in Grapevine, Texas. These companies were selected for their outstanding support and partnership with FleetPride over the last year, the company said.
“
link hidden, please login to view values our strategic supplier partnerships. Our annual supplier awards are an opportunity to recognize those who consistently provide exceptional support to us through field work, supply chain, digital or strategic initiatives,” says Michael Keller, FleetPride vice president of category management and strategic sourcing. “Congratulations to all of our award winners. We greatly appreciate your partnership.”
link hidden, please login to view named Dana Spicer Inc. as its Supplier of the Year, noting the company’s excellence in communication, partnership, innovation, training and growth. This included fielding thousands of customer calls via a real-time call center; driving product innovation while supporting program enhancements, special initiatives and marketing opportunities; and supporting FleetPride’s digital efforts using scorecard reporting to drive continuous improvement. “Dana Spicer excelled in all areas of partnership,” Keller says. “Their efforts were consistent through their support of our programs, marketing opportunities, field work, and other initiatives such as data management, and they committed to building strong working relationships. FleetPride values their partnership and we are pleased to name them as our supplier of the year.”
“We are honored to receive the supplier of the year award, recognizing our dedication to our strategic partnership with FleetPride,” says Bill Nunnery, senior director, aftermarket sales and marketing for Dana Spicer. “This award underscores our commitment to our customers, product innovation, superior marketing, and progressive digital solutions. It’s a testament to the hard work of our entire team. We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration and delivering outstanding results together.”
FleetPride awarded several other suppliers for consistently driving communication, partnership, innovation, training and growth throughout the year:
Atmus Filtration: Focused on collaboration, strategic alignment and program management to deliver strong sales growth. Consistently aligned with FleetPride objectives by focusing on increased brand awareness and customer engagement. Conducted business reviews and provided field support, product expertise, training, hands-on assistance and marketing support. Baldwin: Delivered exceptional customer support as FleetPride’s most front-facing supplier in 2024. Worked closely with the Supply Chain team to ensure consistent shipping performance, and with our marketing team to create a strong digital program. Bendix: Provided valuable guidance related to product assortment and effective stocking strategies. Increased field engagement and created customer-specific training sessions with consistent focus on continuous improvement. Continental Battery: Focused on communication across the FleetPride organization to create value-add programs and drive high levels of internal and external customer satisfaction. DA Lubricants: Supported FleetPride’s sales team by creating and filming training videos while working closely with the supply chain team to ensure consistent and reliable on-time delivery and high in-stock rates. Dayton: Focused on mutual growth and building product assortment while supporting initiatives tied to providing data, supporting FleetPride’s digital platforms, and expanding various product categories. Grote: Launched innovative technology in the warning and visibility spaces, making roadways safer. Ensured FleetPride branches were equipped with new product displays by supporting restock efforts. Helped capture new business with ride-along opportunities. MAT: Supported FleetPride in reducing manual processes at the branch level to improve productivity. Managed a nationwide, dedicated training program, which supported customer-facing certifications and showed commitment to successful partnerships with sales teams. Focused on effective communication at every level of the organization. Muncie: Prioritized continuous improvement by identifying and overcoming challenges to ensure evolving supply chain and manufacturing processes. Supported our front lines by making numerous branch visits, conducting training and fieldwork, and fielding thousands of calls regarding sales opportunities, application requirements and technical support. Odyssey: Created new programs to gain incremental volume. Built strong partnerships at the strategic account and customer levels. Proactive approach with large customers produced unique, tailored solutions that underscore commitment to innovation and customer success. Ranger Brake: Actively collaborated with the field sales teams to meet special program and customer needs. With a “win-win” mindset, consistently proved their ability to keep pace with FleetPride’s sales growth, maintaining overall service levels, on-time delivery rates and first-fill rates. Stoughton Parts: Executed an assortment strategy that added thousands of products specifically for strategic accounts. They also focused on building relationships throughout FleetPride, helping drive year-over-year incremental growth.
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By Counterman
In celebration of International Women’s Day this Saturday, March 8, NAPA will be giving away 1,000 free copies of “The Car That She Built”, a children’s book that pays tribute to the women who have paved the way for the next generation of innovators and leaders in automotive technology.
“Our collaboration with TechForce and the She Built Foundation underscores a shared mission to inspire and empower young girls, encouraging them to envision and pursue exciting careers in skilled trades,” said Cassie Bell, chief people officer at
link hidden, please login to view. “By showcasing the achievements and potential of women in the automotive industry, we aim to break down barriers and open garage doors for future generations.” Readers can sign up for their free copy
link hidden, please login to view The campaign will launch on Friday, March 7, and run through the end of Women’s History Month (March). The post
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By Counterman
line announced details of its sixth annual Mechanics Month initiative. Beginning Monday, March 3, the annual campaign celebrates what Valvoline called the often-unsung heroes of the mobility industry and beyond: the mechanics who keep the world moving forward.
According to Valvoline, this year’s theme, “The Future is in Your Hands,” shines a spotlight on mechanics across the globe, highlighting their expertise, skill and heart for the critical work they do each day. From independent workshops to dealerships, construction sites to fleets, mechanics solve problems that others can’t. Yet, fixing machinery is only part of the job; mechanics serve as educators and partners to their customers, offering peace of mind when it matters most, Valvoline said.
“Valvoline Global is proud to honor the important contributions of mechanics worldwide,” said Jamal Muashsher, chief executive officer of Valvoline Global. “Mechanics Month is about recognizing the mechanics in our local communities who not only maintain the present – but also shape the future – by keeping people around the world moving forward.”
Global Recognition of Local Mechanics
As part of Mechanics Month,
link hidden, please login to view teams in over 60 countries will celebrate local mechanics, working with community members to acknowledge their service. Notable celebrations spanning multiple regions include: Providing over 100 toolboxes, including safety gear and Valvoline-branded merchandise, to mechanics at workshops throughout Thailand. Hosting thank you dinners featuring games, prizes and live entertainment for mechanics and their families throughout Southeast Asia. Teaming up with Hendrick Motorsports for surprise deliveries of Valvoline Mechanics Month packages to hardworking team mechanics in the U.S. Working with select distributor and school partners to offer dozens of scholarships across Mexico and El Salvador. Offering brand and product training to over 200 mechanics and various scholarship programs and initiatives throughout China. The company will also feature mechanics in global web and social media spotlights during the month of March.
Grand Prix Meets Gratitude
As the Official Lubricant Partner of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® (AMAF1) Team, Valvoline Global will further collaborate with its AMAF1 partner to highlight the importance of continuously building a pipeline of talented mechanics.
For the second year in a row, AMAF1 will participate in Valvoline Global’s Aspiring Mechanics Program as they invite students from Milton Keynes College (United Kingdom) to learn from F1 mechanics.
The Valvoline Global Aspiring Mechanics Program, established in 2024, is focused on educating and supporting future mechanics as they grow their skills. Through this program, the company aims to play a direct role in minimizing the growing shortage of mechanics globally, while raising awareness of the importance of the trade, Valvoline said.
Join the Celebration
You can learn more about Valvoline’s celebration of mechanics by visiting
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By Counterman
German lighting specialist
link hidden, please login to view announced it has partnered with Brian Deegan in an agreement that will run into 2026. Deegan has equipped his 2025 Can-Am Maverick R side-by-side with a number of the latest HELLA LED lighting technology to help him both see and be seen, the company said. “A new addition this year – and a brand I’m stoked to be with because it has so much heritage and has been around for over 125 years – is
link hidden, please login to view lights,” said Deegan, when he introduced the Maverick R to his fans. “They’re big in rally, too, which is cool for me!” “When a legend like Brian Deegan chooses HELLA lighting, it’s a big deal,” said Rob Tinson, vice president of sales and marketing for
link hidden, please login to view. “He knows performance, reliability and visibility win races, and we’re proud to provide the lighting technology that’ll keep him at the front of the pack!” Built for King of the Hammers and competing in other events, the Maverick is fully equipped for desert racing. The team added a full-length HELLA Black Magic 40” single row LED lightbar above the front roll bar, providing powerful illumination. Additionally, 3.2” HELLA Black Magic LED Cube lights were added to the front winch bar to spotlight obstacles and hazards.
HELLA explained it joined an impressive motorsports roll call on the Deegan Maverick R, which also included Bilstein shocks, Evo tune, Obor RocScraper tires, Method Beadlock wheels and PRP seats, giving Brian the best chance of finishing the race and reaching the podium.
In qualifying for the 2025 Can-Am UTV Hammers Championship, #38 qualified 24th of 100 drivers, which equated to third in the 4900 Pro Stock Turbo UTV class. In the race, a technical issue resulted in a DNF, although Deegan was classified 49th, HELLA said.
In addition to his Can-Am Maverick R racer, HELLA also provides lighting for Brian’s personal Ford Raptor R and the water truck he uses to take care of his beautiful dirt track compound where the family
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