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. He volunteers his time on multiple industry committees in the auto care industry and was the 2014 recipient of the Auto International Association (AIA) “Young Executive of the Year” award.

MAHLE Service Solutions now stands on its own as a ­division of MAHLE Aftermarket. How has the transition gone since MAHLE purchased RTI Technologies from Bosch in January 2013?

The integration of RTI Technologies into MAHLE Aftermarket has gone extremely well. The first part of the transition involved converting systems and procedures into the MAHLE format.

The next phase of the transition involved growing sales. This really started with the ­hiring of Max Dull in the fall of 2013 to lead the division as general manager. Max put together a great sales and ­marketing team with common goals and a clear vision. They have spent a lot of time listening to customers and positioning the division to be a leader in the tool and equipment ­segment.

One of the most significant advantages that MAHLE brings to the acquisition is providing the resources of a multi-billion dollar global technology and manufacturing organization. At the same time MAHLE has kept the division in York, Pennsylvania which has helped us retain the advantages of a smaller, agile company that can respond quickly to market changes and customize products for unique situations.

The final part of the integration has been the expansion of MAHLE Service Solutions into new products and new markets.

Speaking of new products, how has the reaction been to your new ­TechPRO diagnostic scan tool?

We introduced TechPRO to the industry at AAPEX 2014 in Las Vegas and had great feedback from technicians who stopped by our booth to participate in TechPRO demos. Our work over decades of providing diagnostics to OEM’s for end-of-line manufacturing test systems really helped us bring that same speed and stability to an aftermarket scan tool for the first time.

We touted TechPRO as a “game changer” and we really believe that it is the most technologically advanced device available for professional technicians. One feature that technicians have raved about is the tool’s versatility. It’s easy to take TechPRO into the bays because it is software-based. The vehicle communication interface (VCI) and software can be used with a technician’s current desktop, laptop or tablet, so it’s very portable. TechPRO also eliminates the need to buy or lease extra hardware. Plus, regular ­vehicle data and software updates are downloaded automatically and seamlessly via the Internet.

The other thing that techs are excited about is TechPRO’s speed — it can decode a vehicle identification number (VIN) in mere moments with just one click. We measure our speed of diagnosis in seconds, while our ­competitors are looking at minutes.
TechPRO will be available for ­purchase later this year.

While you’ve expanded into the ­diagnostic tool segment, what’s ­happening with your equipment ­supply business for the A/C market?

The MAHLE Service Solutions engineering team participates on a variety of committees and task forces that look at the worldwide state of refrigerants. Our voluntary service to the ­industry helps keep us abreast with what is going on in the world of ­refrigerants and to provide our input and expertise.

A large part of our team from York just returned from participating in the 2015 Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide Trade Show. This is recognized as the top show for the A/C market. We were really encouraged by the participation in the show by the industry. Plus, the show gave us the opportunity to introduce ACX, our new line of ArcticPRO® A/C ­service equipment.

In fact our ArcticPRO ACX1280 ­machine received the “Best Use of Technology” new product award at the show. The award was selected by an impartial panel of automotive press members, so we are quite proud of this achievement.

The ACX1280 is designed to help shops service the new R1234yf refrigerant worldwide in a competent, efficient and safe manner. One of the nice features of the machine is the ­option to purchase it with either an internal or external refrigerant identifier system.

The other ArcticPRO machine we introduce is the ACX1180 series that helps shops process R134a refrigerant. It is a flexible machine that can be easily customized to meet the exact needs of technicians. Both machines meet all relevant SAE standards.

Can you explain how you’ve ­expanded distribution under MAHLE’s ownership?

Last year we announced the opening of a new satellite warehouse in the Los Angeles area to support customers on the West Coast. The new warehouse in Bell, California enables us to quickly fulfill orders for West Coast customers. We stock our most popular maintenance machines, service parts and ­accessories within a one day ground shipping area for nearby customers. In addition, this new warehouse allows us to fulfill even more orders nationwide after our main warehouse in York is closed for the day.

In addition, we now stock inventory at the MAHLE Aftermarket Canada distribution center in Burlington, ­Ontario to expand service to Canadian customers. Plus, we now have a ­location in Toluca, Mexico. So we are excited that MAHLE Service Solutions can service the industry from a broad North American footprint.

How will the departure of Max Dull affect MAHLE Service Solutions moving forward?

Max was instrumental in completing the integration of RTI Technologies into what is now MAHLE Service ­Solutions. Following the acquisition, we identified a few different challenges that had to be overcome in order to reach the goals we set for the new division focusing on the tool and equipment segment of the industry. Max’s visionary leadership laid the foundation for a new customer-­focused structure that is paramount to MAHLE Service Solutions’ success. This focus will not depart with Max, but will be expanded on and continue to grow as the division grows.

We were very fortunate to have an industry veteran and proven leader in Max Dull for the time that we did. His experience proved invaluable, and we wish him the very best of luck in his future endeavors.