Las Vegas -- The Automotive Service Association (ASA) and Mitchell 1 have teamed up to provide repair shop owners a way to measure their company's performance against shops in their local area and nationally, said Mitchell 1 Product Manager Jon Vance.
Read Full Article
Upcoming Editorial Focus
This Month: Engines & Engine Rebuilding / Heavy Duty Trucks
December: New Technology & Design / Diesel & Hybrid Technology
Subscriptions
Online Newsletter
Search Articles
Search Auto-Tech Schools
Associations
Articles Written By Kevin Loewen:
ASA and Mitchell 1 team up to provide shop owners with real-time key performance indicators (November 2008)
Collision industry celebrates victories on three pieces of legislation (November 2008)
Diverse offerings to professional repair shops allow machine shop's continued success (November 2008)
Santa Fe Springs, Calif. -- While the staff at L&R Automotive Supply Co. focus on providing machine shop services for the professional repair industry, Manager Don Derting said, they stay busy by working in many niches, including standard engine and head rebuilding, performance work, restorations, and forklift engine rebuilding.
Engine parts company defies shrinking market by finding new segments (November 2008)
For Bellflower collision shop, retrenching means $6 million in sales (November 2008)
Auto Collision Solutions rises from the ashes of M2 and continues to grow (October 2008)
Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. -- For Aaron Holmes, the demise of M2 Collision Care Centers meant that he lost his job but got a chance to own his own group of body shops. Holmes said he grew up in the collision repair industry, with his parents founding Holmes Body Shop in 1974, which had grown to four locations by the time he went off to college and now has nine locations. While he was in college, his parents separated, with his father retaining Holmes Body Shop and his mother joining Caliber Collision Centers for about a year before opening Glendora Auto Craft, he said.
Known for performance, Energy Suspension finds strong growth in repair and heavy-duty markets (October 2008)
San Clemente, Calif. -- While the polyurethane suspension products manufactured by Energy Suspension have long had followings among racers, restorers, and street performance enthusiasts, in recent years the company has been drawn more and more into the traditional repair industry and into supplying heavy-duty parts, said Performance Division Sales Manager Mike Papazian.
NACE attendees to benefit as CARS joins show at Mandalay Bay (October 2008)
Las Vegas -- With the Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) joining the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the first time on Nov. 5-8, Automotive Service Association (ASA) President Ron Pyle said the collision and mechanical repair industries will both benefit.
Tire sales reinforce repair business for Tustin Goodyear store (October 2008)
Tustin, Calif. -- As Tustin Ranch Tire & Auto Center prepares for its 10th anniversary in November, Manager Jim Crowell said business remains strong at the shop despite the slowing economy. "Our customer base continues to grow," Crowell said. "I am seeing lower-end shops in the area going out of business, and people's friends and neighbors seem to be referring them to us."
Banks Power continues to adjust to an ever-changing market (September 2008)
Azusa, Calif. -- Banks Power has built a reputation in many circles over the past 50 years as it has continued to adjust to the ever-changing performance parts market, said New Business & Market Development Manager John Espino.
Banks Power continues to adjust to an ever-changing market (September 2008)
For Fletcher Jones collision center it's $1 million a month on Mercedes models (September 2008)
Newport Beach, Calif. -- While breaking the $1 million a month mark has proved an elusive goal for many large collision repair businesses, Fletcher Jones Motorcars Collision Center successfully passed the mark years ago while also turning away anything that does not have the Mercedes-Benz star on the front, said Collision Center Manager Larry Busby.
GM clinic focuses on emission system diagnostics (September 2008)
Justice Brothers hosts large ASC-CA meeting (September 2008)
Performance and powertrain help Guaranty Chevrolet expand beyond its collision base (September 2008)
Toyota Highlander offers crossover convenience (September 2008)
BMW 335xi Sedan leverages technology to improve performance and efficiency (August 2008)
Economy's storm clouds let through a ray of light for some shops (August 2008)
Malibu Hybrid offers subtle savings with steady performance (August 2008)
Management trainer says that with the right approach, now is a great time to own a repair shop (August 2008)
Bowling Green, Ky.--While there is much talk about doom and gloom on the evening news, Gary Gunn, CEO and president of Automotive Service Leaders, said he believes that there is a lot of opportunity for repair shop owners today. Read Full ArticleO'Connor says aggressive management is especially important in a tightening market (August 2008)
Federal Way, Wash.--While an economic storm is buffeting the industry, Bob O'Connor, president of R. L. O'Connor and Associates, said there is still plenty of opportunity for repair shops to improve their business. One of the first steps, he said, is for shop owners to take a close look at their businesses to gauge the impact.
Viper specialty offers launch point for L.A. shop's growing performance business (August 2008)
Los Angeles -- The arrival of a Viper at many shops would be an occasion for everyone to come take a look, but at DC Performance Inc. it is likely to be one of several expected that day. After six years, the shop has acquired an international reputation for being one of a handful of independent shops that specializes in Dodge's flagship model and can wring out serious performance--whether for the street or the track.
Doug's finds a place for custom work in a collision repair shop (July 2008)
Chatsworth, Calif. -- When Doug's Custom Paint & Body opened in two stalls in 1977, the focus of the business was clearly on performing custom paint work. The shop sublet frame and metal work to focus on the complete paint jobs, restorations, and a great deal of painting and striping for local van-conversion businesses. Read Full ArticleFamily-owned auto parts business thrives by serving installers and finding new markets (July 2008)
GAAS panel discusses how shops choose which parts to use (July 2008)
NAPA Auto Parts explores Southern California for new store locations (July 2008)
Recognizing shop's potential allows Fisk Automotive owner to expand his goals (July 2008)
South Bay Ford Fleet and Truck Center launches from the closing of Ford West (July 2008)
ASA mixes business with pleasure at annual convention (June 2008)
Santa Clara, Calif. -- The Automotive Service Association hosted its annual convention at the Hyatt Regency in Santa Clara on May 1-3, tackling issues as diverse as parts quality, legislative efforts that affect the industry, and increasing the association's visibility with the public.
Strictly German shop expanding its repair coverage, building performance cars (June 2008)
Aadlen Bros. Auto Wrecking offers used parts for any budget (May 2008)
Sun Valley, Calif. -- Since being founded in 1962, Aadlen Bros. Auto Wrecking has continued to adjust its business model to meet the needs of wholesale and retail consumers of used auto parts, said Andrew Adlen, one of several family members who continue to run the company. Read Full ArticleASCCA hosts educational day to promote the value of membership (May 2008)
Coast Cadillac uses relationships to expand its collision repair business (May 2008)
Long Beach, Calif. -- After a year as the manager of Coast Cadillac's collision repair shop, Todd McQuiddy said the dealership is well on its way to maximizing its 5,000-square-foot facility.McQuiddy said sales have increased by about 15 percent on average and that the collision repair shop had its best month ever in February with sales in excess of $300,000. While the improvements are welcome, he said he believes the shop can still increase its sales from an average of about $250,000 a month to around $350,000. Read Full ArticleDistributor grows in undercar market with immediate delivery, high fill rates, 'no-limits' warranty (May 2008)
Upgraded braking products for fleets and performance enthusiasts offer a profit opportunity for shops and distributors (May 2008)
Camarillo, Calif. -- The performance braking industry is now able to offer consumers numerous ways to improve their vehicle's braking performance, said The Brake Man President Warren Gilliland, while offering a new profit center for distributors and shops. While performance braking products have long been popular with racers and street-performance enthusiasts, he said the fastest-growing market is now for fleets with vehicles that carry large loads or tow frequently.
Denso pursues opportunities in the aftermarket (April 2008)
Long Beach, Calif.--As one of the largest suppliers of OE air-conditioning systems and compressors, Denso provides products to most of the OE manufacturers worldwide. So, Denso Manager of Aftermarket Planning for Thermal Products David Jack said, it was only natural for the company to pursue an aftermarket parts strategy, which began in 2000.
From technician updates to bachelor's degrees in automotive management, Cerritos College serves the industry (April 2008)
Santa Clarita shops drop smaller DRPs to focus on profitability (April 2008)
Santa Clarita, Calif. -- Rick Jackson, owner of Valencia Body Shop and Centre Pointe Collision Center, said he recently chose to withdraw his shops' memberships in several direct repair programs in order to focus on its larger insurance partners and more profitable work.
Swiss Motors specializes to offer technological know-how and affordable repairs (April 2008)
Culver City, Calif. -- Swiss Motors Co-owner Robert Husser said that by specializing in BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche, the shop is able to keep up on technology and offer consistently accurate and affordable repairs. Those lines were chosen because "we always knew German cars," said Husser, noting that he and partner Marcel Bont met while apprentices in Switzerland.
From technician updates to bachelor's degrees in automotive management, Cerritos College serves the industry (March 2008)
Norwalk, Calif. -- For 50 years Cerritos College has helped educate current and future automotive technicians, and in June work will begin on $15 million in improvements and upgrades to the automotive facilities, said Transportation Technologies Department Chairman Steve Berklite. Read Full ArticleGalpin Auto Sports targets profits on anything from selling T-shirts to 'pimping' rides (March 2008)
Gene Winfield continues to affect hot rod market after more than 60 years (March 2008)
Mojave, Calif. -- It's become a cliché to call someone an automotive legend. It seems that every new automotive television show mints a new legend, or even a group of them, and the roster of autograph signers at SEMA grows exponentially each year.
Proper tools and training make diagnostics a profit center for Craig Johnson Automotive (March 2008)
Scholarships available for students looking at automotive careers and children of industry pros (March 2008)
Since its inception, the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) has served as not only a place for industry participants to come together and discuss emerging trends in the industry but also to raise funds to provide scholarships that will help encourage young people to continue their education and consider a career in the automotive aftermarket.
Scholarships available for students looking at automotive careers and children of industry pros (March 2008)
Since its inception, the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) has served as not only a place for industry participants to come together and discuss emerging trends in the industry but also to raise funds to provide scholarships that will help encourage young people to continue their education and consider a career in the automotive aftermarket. Read Full ArticleFocusing on customer experience allows Fountain Valley shop to prosper (February 2008)
Nitrogen spray equipment promises shops improved quality, transfer efficiency, profits (February 2008)
Lafayette, La. -- Mike Haydell is not afraid of making bold claims about what the Nitrotherm Spray System can accomplish for a collision repair shop's paint department. "It reduces the actual paint time by up to 50 percent and provides material savings of 10 to 25 percent" Haydell said, adding that if shops are willing to make process changes, they could see significant additional savings.
SEMA helps organize hot rod and restoration training (February 2008)
Indianapolis -- The 10th annual Hot Rod & Restoration Trade Show on Feb. 29 and March 1 in Indianapolis will be preceded by 35 training seminars during an education and training day on Feb. 28 presented by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Hot Rod Industry Alliance.Read Full Article
Careful estimating, established customer base allow Signal Hill body shop to have its best year ever (January 2008)
Signal Hill, Calif. -- Owner Bob Lillegard said 2007 was the best yet for Alvin's Auto Body & Paint, which he purchased in 1986. He said he attributes the success to having built up a loyal customer base and making sure he is paid for the work that the shop performs.
Jurasic Equipment celebrates third anniversary (January 2008)
NACE celebrates 25 years with an examination of the changing industry (January 2008)
Las Vegas -- The International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) of 2007, sponsored by the Automotive Service Association, has become the gathering point for the U.S. collision repair industry, serving as an excellent gauge of the mood of the industry.
Nissan's Titan excels in fun and function (January 2008)
Orange County CAA raises thousands for charity with toy truck competition (January 2008)
SEMA's Store of the future offers ideas for jobbers and shops alike (January 2008)
Las Vegas -- Since 1998, Brian Dyches, vice president of global insight and strategy for Watt Strategy + Design, has presented SEMA Show seminars on store design, and for the past two years he has run the Store of the Future at the show, giving SEMA members the opportunity to meet for 20 minutes for a free one-on-one consultation with a professional store designer and to browse displays including store layout and signage.
Toyota places a renewed emphasis on wholesale parts sales, especially mechanical (January 2008)
Owners seek to apply manufacturing background to collision repair shops (December 2007)
Quality Parts Coalition battles OEs on use of patents to criminalize aftermarket parts (December 2007)
Las Vegas - Manufacturers and distributors of aftermarket collision repair parts formed the Quality Parts Coalition (QPC) in May to fight efforts by automotive manufacturers to use patent law to effectively make it illegal to import aftermarket collision repair parts.
Dedication to service makes Martin Auto Color an award winner (November 2007)
Diesel engine repair and performance specialty keeps Van Nuys shop focused (November 2007)
Van Nuys, Calif. -- The opening of Diesel Performance Shops in 2002 was the result of setting a goal and working toward it, said Owner John Hamlin. "That was my goal," he said. "If you don't have goals, you won't get anywhere."
Jasper Engines & Transmissions keeps in touch with the trends to keep growing (November 2007)
Jasper, Ind. -- With more than 65,000 engines remanufactured every year, Jasper Engines & Transmissions has long been known for its remanufactured engines, but as OE engine quality has improved much of the company's recent growth is coming from remanufactured transmissions as well as niche markets.
Bakersfield shop owner leads ASC-CA (October 2007)
Bakersfield, Calif. -- For Eye Street Automotive Owner Bob Klingenberg, the importance of belonging to the Automotive Service Councils of California (ASC-CA) ranges from its ability to help with the details of running his business, such as office forms, all the way up to having a voice in the major issues, such as "Right to Repair" and "Super-Warranty" legislation, that could determine whether he can stay in business or not.
California tire-shop owner develops tool to assist in alignment of newest tires and wheels (October 2007)
Newbury Park, Calif. -- As the tire and wheel industries began to favor technology such as lipless wheels, rim-guard tires, stiffer sidewalls, and larger diameter wheels, tire-store Owner Dean Pellegrino began noticing increasing problems in his shop's ability to complete a proper alignment. Read Full ArticleLift training and maintenance urged to prevent damage and injuries (October 2007)
Waterborne proves to be an improvement for two Southern California shops (October 2007)
Hyundai looks beyond rising car counts to increase parts and service sales (September 2007)
Fountain Valley, Calif. -- Frank Ferrara, executive vice president of Hyundai Motor America, is in an enviable position. With Hyundai's new-car sales climbing from 91,217 in 1998 to 455,520 in 2007, the company's parts and service business is all but guaranteed to continue climbing in coming years. Read Full ArticleOutgoing SEMA chairman discusses a changing industry (September 2007)
City of Industry, Calif. -- While the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is best known for its annual trade show that draws more than 2,000 exhibitors and 110,000 attendees to Las Vegas every year, the association has dozens of programs it is working on every day for the good of the specialty auto parts industry, said Mitch Williams, who ended his two-year term as SEMA Chairman in August. Read Full ArticleBay area's Elgin Cams supplies custom cams across the country (August 2007)
EPWI sees selection and service as the way to grow in a challenging market segment (August 2007)
Denver -- While consolidation and tightening margins have become omnipresent in many automotive segments, perhaps the greatest consolidation has occurred among machine shops. With declining engine rebuilding as a market fact, Engine and Performance Warehouse Inc. (EPWI) has redoubled its efforts to ensure that it is able to gain market share and continue to grow. Read Full ArticleNew trade association formed for Colorado collision repair industry (August 2007)
Shops complain of Pacific Yellow Page scam (August 2007)
Small improvements can lead to big gains in shop's profits, management trainer says (August 2007)
Lynn, Mass. -- After more than 20 years as a management trainer for automotive parts and service businesses, Vin Waterhouse has determined that the difference between a barely profitable repair facility and a very profitable one can be as little as three minutes an hour in additional labor. Read Full ArticleTruck Fest attracts enthusiasts for two days of shopping (August 2007)
Technology and information access are crucial to profitability, AWDA chairman says (July 2007)
Sioux Falls, S.D. -- As the automotive parts and service industry becomes increasingly competitive and margins narrow, access to timely information on how to fix the vehicles and identify the correct parts can have a significant impact on whether the repair is profitable for the shop or its supplier, said Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) Chairman Tim Sturdevant, president of SAE Warehouse. Read Full ArticleHanksville Hot Rods seeks a niche that complements other performance shops (June 2007)
Highlands Ranch, Colo. -- Hank Padilla said that when he and his wife, Jennifer, set out to decide what type of automotive business they wanted to own, one of their goals was to do something that would complement other hot-rod and racecar shops in town, not simply compete with them.
Toyota places a renewed emphasis on wholesale parts sales, especially mechanical (June 2007)
Torrance, Calif. -- For Toyota Motor Sales USA, 2007 is a benchmark year in many ways. The company is celebrating its 50th year, has been named the Vehicle Manufacturer of the SEMA Show, and its parent company has displaced General Motors as the largest vehicle manufacturer in the world.
For Jerry Raskind, wholesale development manager, the positive news allows him to focus on one of the few areas where Toyota has not been a runaway success -- wholesale mechanical parts sales.
Read Full ArticleCounty Line Auto Parts prospers as a modern recycling facility (May 2007)
Kingsville, Mo. -- The four owners of County Line Auto Parts have taken decades of experience working in the automotive recycling industry and converted them into a successful, modern recycling facility.
Dennis Roberts Jr. and his wife, Krystyn, purchased the facility in 2003 along with his brother Kent who left in 2005and were quickly joined in the operation by Co-owners Don Morris and Joe Roederer, who had been countermen with the pair at Greenleaf of Kansas City, Krystyn Roberts said. She said their path to owning their own recycling facility has been turbulent at times but that the business has grown significantly and has earned a reputation as a top option for local mechanical and collision repair shops, which make up 75 percent of their business.
Read Full ArticleLKQ's Lieberman trumpets recycling industry's growing professionalism and service offerings (May 2007)
Laguna Beach, Calif. -- Much has changed about the automotive recycling industry in the decade since LKQ Corp. was formed, said Herb Lieberman, corporate industry liaison for LKQ. While LKQ can not take credit for all of the changes, with more than 75 recycling facilities dismantling more than 5,700 vehicles a week, it has become a driving force, he said. OK Wheel Alignment keeps its undercar focus (May 2007)
Custom paint jobs allow Missouri shop to stand out and stay full (April 2007)
Infiniti FX combines a comfortable drive with the latest technology (April 2007)
Longer bed adds to function of Nissan Crew cab (April 2007)
Mopar launches a unique powertrain distribution and marketing program with Tracy Industries (April 2007)
Training and tools help shop tackle diagnostic challenges (April 2007)
Vision expo draws from near and far for training and trade show (April 2007)
ASE continues to grow and adapt to meet the industry's needs (March 2007)
Leesburg, Va.--The National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), which will celebrate its 35th anniversary this year, is well known for its broad offering of certification tests for the automotive parts and service industry. However, many do not recognize how the organization has expanded to include certification of professional and vocational education programs and its other work to help improve the image of the industry and meet its changing needs. Read Full ArticleI-CAR adds Mobile Qualification Test option for the Rocky Mountain region (March 2007)
Longview Community College offers the repair industry a variety of training options (March 2007)
Lee's Summit, Mo. -- Longview Community College, which opened in 1969, continues to offer both students interested in joining the automotive service industry and professionals in the industry a variety of training options.The core of the school's automotive programs is its General Automotive Technology Program, which averages about 140 students a year, said Stan Abrahamson, director of Automotive Technology. Read Full Article
OSHA to inspect dozens of western Missouri collision repair shops in 2007 (March 2007)
SEMA Light Truck Personalization Report identifies growing sale opportunities (February 2007)
AASA examines 'Leadership in a Changing Global Aftermarket' (January 2007)
NACE suggests accelerating change in the collision repair industry (January 2007)
Home |
Accounting |
Contact Us |
Link Exchange |
Site Map |
Send A File |
RSS Feed 
National | Northwest | N. California | S. California | Mountain | Midwest | River Valley | Training | Motorsports | Offroad
National | Northwest | N. California | S. California | Mountain | Midwest | River Valley | Training | Motorsports | Offroad
Parts & People is published monthly by Automotive Counseling and Publishing Company, Inc.
Copyright © 2007 Parts and People
Copyright | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2007 Parts and People
Copyright | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy