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Deadline Approaching for Counter Pro of The Year Nominations
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By Counterman
Each year, Auto-Wares Group of Companies selects one top technician from its Certified Service Center Network. This individual represents the group at the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance’s Technician of the Year competition. Casey O’Sullivan, shop foreman at Interstate Auto Care, received this year’s title as Auto-Wares Group of Companies’ technician of the year.
Honoring Experience and Team Dedication
“Having had Casey on our team for over 25 years, I speak for the rest of my team in congratulating Casey and the other tech of the year nominees for this well-deserved nomination,” said Bill Nalu, owner of Interstate Auto Care. “Like every year, the field of competition promises to be challenging, but the fun and camaraderie that they will share during this event will be something they will never forget.”
Prize Package and National Alliance Technician of the Year Competition
O’Sullivan was honored with a prize package including a gift card, a Blackstone grill and a custom winner plaque. Casey will represent Auto-Wares Group of Companies at the National Alliance Technician of the Year competition, July 7-10, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan – The Motor City. During the competition, the finalists from the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance will take a written test to determine who will take home the title of Auto Value & Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year.
Dedication to Learning Sets O’Sullivan Apart
O’Sullivan earned the
link hidden, please login to viewtitle by excelling among many strong applicants. Auto-Wares praised his training log, which reflects a deep commitment to growth. Casey is an ASE Master Technician. He began working in the field at just 18 years old and now leads through experience and dedication. He also attends industry events such as Tech Expo to stay current with new developments. Leadership Recognizes Commitment and Skill
“I couldn’t be happier for Casey. His dedication to his craft is on another level. I’ve known Casey for about 18 years, and one thing that he has never stopped doing is learning,” said Michael Hellenberg, sales manager for Auto-Wares. “I am very proud of Casey for his accomplishments in the business and look forward to him representing Auto-Wares in the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year program.”
Program Recognizes Top Technicians Nationwide
The purpose of the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year is to honor and award the professional technicians in the automotive aftermarket service and repair industry. The program recognizes the top professional automotive technicians across North America. Nominees were evaluated on technical skill, diagnostic expertise and training record.
“Casey represents the best of the aftermarket — skill, professionalism, and pride in the work,” said Brian Burkett, director of sales at Auto-Wares. “We are proud to recognize him as our Technician of the Year.”
For more information about the program, visit
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By Counterman
Niterra North America will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its Sissonville, West Virginia, campus on May 9, 2025. The celebration also marks the grand opening of the Niterra Distribution Center, a major expansion to the site. The company said the milestone represents three decades of growth, innovation, and support for the West Virginia community.
link hidden, please login to viewsaid the new facility adds 75,000 square feet to the Sissonville campus and creates approximately 30 new jobs. Sustainability and Efficiency Define Niterra Distribution Center
According to the company, the Niterra Distribution Center features cutting-edge technology and eco-conscious design. Automated storage and retrieval systems improve inventory accuracy and operational efficiency. Energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems help reduce environmental impact and cut operational costs. Enhanced security systems safeguard products and personnel at every stage of the distribution process. Expandable capacity allows the company to scale as customer demand increases,
link hidden, please login to view said. Commitment to Community and Long-Term Growth
“We are incredibly proud to reach this 30-year milestone,” said Michael Schwab, president and CEO of Niterra North America, Inc. “Our success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees, the loyalty of our customers, and the support of the Sissonville community. The opening of our new distribution center is a significant step forward in our journey, expanding operational capacity and improving logistics efficiency. We look forward to many more years of success.”
The grand opening event will be at the Sissonville campus on May 9, starting at 11 a.m. It will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a tour of the new facility.
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By Counterman
March 31, 2025, marked a milestone in engine oil development—the first license date for the
link hidden, please login to view. While that might sound like just another specification in a long line of upgrades, for professional parts counter pros selling to independent repair shops, it’s a moment that carries real-world impact. Understanding what’s new—and how to help shop owners explain it to their customers—could be the difference between a routine oil sale and a value-driven recommendation. First, What Is GF-7?
GF-7 builds on the progress of the GF-6 specification introduced in 2020. Like its predecessor, GF-7 is split into two categories: GF-7A for most modern gasoline engines and GF-7B for low-viscosity formulations like 0W-16, commonly used in vehicles from Japanese OEMs like Toyota. The key takeaway? GF-7 oils are fully backward compatible. If a customer’s vehicle previously called for GF-6, GF-5, or even GF-4, a GF-7A product can safely be used. For 0W-16 applications, GF-7B covers those needs—just make sure the shop isn’t using a 0W-16 oil in an engine not designed for it.
“When they developed the GF categories almost 30-plus years ago, the idea was that it’s an evergreen category, so they’re all backward compatible,” Dr. Michael Warholic, global technology director,
link hidden, please login to view. “The caveat is that GF-7B category. Some engines don’t like thin oil because they’re just not made to operate that way. You have to be careful about misapplication. “The OEMs identified that and developed a shield icon with 0W-16 label to make it easy to identify it versus 0W-20 or heavier oil,” he said.
How to Identify GF-7 on the Shelf
Paying attention to the API designation and symbols on the bottle is key. Counter pros should be looking for the API “donut” and the Starburst or Shield symbols:
• The Starburst still signals general GF-category oils (GF-7A).
• A Shield symbol identifies 0W-16 oils under the GF-7B track.
• Look for API donut to know it’s GF-7.
“It boils down to: if you see the Starburst, it’s a qualified GF oil. If you see the donut on the back, it has the API credentials on it,” Warholic explained.
There’s a one-year transition period where GF-6 oils will still be in circulation, but by March 2026, GF-7 will be the standard.
“Model Year 2026 is when we expect the OEMs will start to notice GF-7 oils in the owner’s manual,” added Karl Kocher, director of light duty product strategy, Valvoline.
Why Should Your Shop Customers Care?
Not all oils are created equal, and consumers are becoming more selective. GF-7 brings improvements in durability, fuel economy, wear protection and emissions performance. This includes:
• Deposit control: GF-7 increases limits on piston cleanliness to limit deposits, helping prevent buildup that can lead to costly repairs like ring sticking.
• Wear resistance: Chain wear limits are tighter to protect timing systems and avoid check-engine lights.
• Cold start protection: Improved low-temp viscosity performance means oil flows better when the engine is most vulnerable—at startup.
• LSPI protection over time: GF-7 includes a new test for aged oil’s ability to resist Low-Speed Pre-Ignition, protecting direct-injected turbo engines long after the oil change.
• Ash limit: For the first time, GF-7 introduces an ash cap to help reduce emissions—a nod to the increasing regulatory pressure on internal combustion engines.
Selling the Upgrade
In addition to standard GF-7 products, some oil suppliers are offering “above and beyond” formulations. Valvoline’s Restore & Protect, for example, is a fully synthetic motor oil that aims at both older, high-mileage vehicles (restore) and new vehicles (protect). While the oil sports a proprietary formulation, Valvoline has noted two proprietary technologies–Active Clean, which removes deposits, and Liqui-Shield, which prevents deposit formation.
“The active technology behind the Restore and Protect products is the same in our GF-6 and our GF-7 products,” Warholic confirmed. “For GF-7, it’s built on a slightly different platform to meet the requirements. The Restore and Protect technology is above and beyond even the deposit performance required for GF-7. It exceeds that performance and does something that no other oil does or that’s actually required by GF-7. It is our own proprietary technology.”
That’s especially valuable in older engines that were exposed to less advanced oils under earlier standards like GF-4 or GF-5. With Restore and Protect, your shop customers can offer a tiered service—a standard GF-7 oil for maintenance, or R&P for vehicles showing signs of engine wear or for customers wanting the best protection available.
Bottom Line for Counter Pros
• Understand the labeling: Starburst = GF-7A; Shield = GF-7B; look for API SQ on the donut.
• Ask about the vehicle: Year, model, and what oil is currently being used.
• Explain backward compatibility: GF-7 oils replace earlier categories in most cases.
• Be proactive: As model year 2026 approaches, shops will need help identifying the right oils—GF-7A or GF-7B—and transitioning their inventory.
GF-7 isn’t just a new acronym—it’s the new baseline. The counter pros who get ahead of it now will be the ones their shop customers rely on tomorrow.
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By Counterman
In partnership with NAPA,
link hidden, please login to view the Babcox Media brand serving professional independent automotive shop owners, is seeking to recognize and celebrate the vital role of mentorship in the automotive service industry. The ShopOwner Mentorship Award sponsored by NAPA will honor exceptional automotive shop owners, service advisors and technicians who are actively investing in the future of their profession by mentoring the next generation of automotive professionals.
link hidden, please login to view are open now. “The automotive industry faces a significant skills gap,” said Emily Schneider, Senior Director of Marketing at NAPA. “Experienced professionals are critical to guiding and supporting young technicians and students entering the field. This award is our way of recognizing and celebrating those individuals who are making a real difference. We are excited to partner with proponents of industry partnerships – ShopOwner and Tomorrow’s Technician – to encourage ongoing mentorship programs.”
The Mentorship Award celebrates automotive professionals dedicated to mentoring and developing future technicians in-house as well as through partnerships with vocational and technical schools. It is open to automotive shops of all sizes and affiliations in the 50 United States, recognizing mentorship’s vital role in fostering talent and strengthening the industry.
Two nominees will be recognized each month in print, digital and video formats. One nominee will be named the 2025 winner, and will be recognized by NAPA and ShopOwner at a special event to be held later in the year.
“Many shop owners struggle to find good people at any time, let alone during an ongoing labor shortage,” said Doug Kaufman, editorial director of ShopOwner. “Even when they do find an ideal candidate, they don’t have any guarantee of a good fit. Instead of perpetuating a revolving door of transitory ‘jobs,’ we are looking to celebrate a commitment to building careers through training and mentoring.”
For more information about the award and nomination process or to enter, visit
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By Counterman
The Meineke Dealers Purchasing Cooperative Inc. (MDPCI) announced Advance Professional as the winner of the 2024 Vendor of the Year Award. Advance has been a member of the Meineke Dealers Purchasing Co-op (MDPCI) for many years.
Over the past few years, the program has grown at unprecedented rates, MDPCI said. The MDPCI Vendor of the Year is determined based on several factors, with one being survey results from the Meineke dealer group. In addition to non-subjective categories that are measured, the dealer survey is based on criteria ranging from the cost and quality of parts and services, to vendor support, to the overall ease of working with the vendor. Selection for this award is a testament to the commitment
link hidden, please login to view has made to the MDPCI program and Meineke Dealers throughout the US and Canada, according to MDPCI. Ron Soto, executive director of the MDPCI, said, “The growth of our program with Advance and their support of our efforts has been tremendous over the past year. It is a testament to the true partnership they have provided our dealers and the delivery of the commitment they made to the MDPCI to help increase profitability of the Meineke Service Centers nationwide. Advance has developed an exceptional program working with the MDPCI as partners and helped Meineke dealers across the country. We look forward to continued growth in 2025 and beyond.”
Upon receiving the award, Pete Masini, Advance director of strategic accounts, said, “On behalf of the entire Advance/Carquest Professional team that supports Meineke Dealers every single day, I’d like to express how honored we are to be named ‘Vendor of the Year’ for Meineke Dealers throughout the U.S. and Canada in 2024. Moments like this do not typically happen by accident, and it takes an effort on both sides to build partnerships like the ones we have with our Meineke partners. Our relationship has been a journey to reach this point, and every day, more and more Meineke dealers are giving
link hidden, please login to viewProfessional the opportunity to earn their business. Thank you for your support. Our promise is to continue our passion for providing you with industry-leading service that you can rely on, quality parts, solutions to support your business growth, and a partnership to last for many years to come.” The post
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