Tom and Joe Palermo shed some light on the challenges they faced as they embarked on new service territory, how they equipped their shop and team to take on additional vehicles and their varied service requirements, and the opportunities that resulted from establishing a new service “profit center” for their growing business.
Vehicle owners’ allegiance to brands should give us all something to cheer about. This is especially true for those of you who service import vehicles. Nine import nameplates – Infiniti, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru and Volvo – are among the 13 brands that experienced 10-year highs in loyalty rates in Q1 2015, according to new research from IHS Automotive.
Ted Hughes, AAP, was named head of marketing in North America for MAHLE Aftermarket Inc. in February 2011. Hughes leads the marketing department with responsibility for promotions, public relations, advertising, motorsports programs, and the advancement of all electronic and web-based activities. He’s approaching 15 years with the company, having served in various marketing roles since graduating in 2000 from Eastern Michigan University with a bachelor of business administration (marketing) degree.
Need a dose of good news for your business? Then hear this: The influx of new vehicles in the market will lay the foundation for bountiful aftermarket service and repair opportunities. And, with import vehicle sales continuing an upward climb, there will be a lot more import nameplates on the roads for years to come – music to all of our ears.
You’re providing the highest quality repairs and top-notch customer service so that your shop’s car count continues to increase, customers return time and time again, and profits continue to grow. All the while, you’re on the lookout for ideas to improve sales, cut costs, increase productivity, boost customer service and build your brand, which all contribute to taking your shop to the next level.
You’d probably agree that your most valuable assets walk out of the door every evening. You’d likely also agree that every one of your employees is unique, bringing a varying level of skills to your shop, but also each displaying different personality traits that can affect the harmony within your business.
Dan Freeman, who’s been at the helm of Automotive Parts Associates (APA) for 25 years, looks back on his storied and successful career, and looks forward to giving back to the industry in his well-deserved retirement that begins later this month.
The manner in which the majority of your customers prefer to communicate about vehicle service is changing, as their need for convenient and easy information access accelerates. You likely have noticed that their attitudes and expectations are vastly different than what you were used to encountering.
In the second of a two-part series, we delve deep into the process of selling a business by interviewing Art Blumenthal, nationwide automotive aftermarket business broker, who provides business valuations, exit planning and buying and selling adviser services. Part one of the executive interview appeared in the November/December issue of Shop Owner.
In the first of a two-part series, we delve deep into the process of selling a business by interviewing Art Blumenthal, nationwide automotive aftermarket business broker, who provides business valuations, exit planning, and buying and selling advisor services.
How many miles do you think a pampered engine could rack up? Hundreds of thousands? How about millions! Irv Gordon, a Long Island, NY, resident who has traveled the U.S. for nearly 50 years, can attest to that. He’s driven the same vehicle, a shiny, red 1966 Volvo P1800, racking up nearly 3 million miles.
The Consumer Confidence Index is up and that should spell good news for your business. Posting another gain in May, standing at 76.2 (up from 69.0 in April), consumer confidence is now at a five-year high.
