St. Louis—When line cards are only as good as delivery times, the location of a parts store can weigh heavily on its success.  That is partly why Jeff Lowe, president and owner of Lowe Automotive Warehouse, merged with D&S Auto Parts in March, adding it to his aftermarket distribution group.

St. Louis–Mark Dirsa, owner of Auto Evaluators, made the leap in 1993 from a Volvo-loving technician to shop owner, specializing in Volvo and Subaru.  He said that soon after, he realized how many opportunities he was passing up by not diversifying.

Vandalia, Ill.--Getting shop owners what they want when they want it is vital to being a successful jobber, said Ken and Diane Torbeck, co-owners of Vandalia Auto Supply, who added that this is especially true in a rural community.

Auto Tire and Parts in Cape Girardeau recently celebrated its 100th anniversary at its newly remodeled headquarters with more than 700 of its customers. 

Research Triangle Park, N.C. – Fuel pump makers in the USA say unnecessary returns are costing millions in part returns.

Chicago— Mainstream media coverage of GM and Chrysler bankruptcies and subsequent dealership closures paint a picture of doom and gloom, but for industry veterans and others in the know, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

Gilberts, Ill.--Induction heating technology has been around for decades, but it was only in the late 1990s that Tom Gough said he figured out how to use it to improve his efficiency as an autobody technician.

San Diego--Marc Brungger said he believes the nation’s economic downturn will only accelerate a trend he’d been seeing: the collision repair industry becoming “hour-glass-shaped.”