Federated 'Dream' Winners Have 'Dream Weekend' -

Federated ‘Dream’ Winners Have ‘Dream Weekend’

Thunder, lightning and some heavy rain could not keep the winners of the Federated "Dream Weekend" from having a great time. Five Federated service provider customers watched some major league baseball and dirt track racing, and then they got behind the wheel of some dirt track cars and learned how to race from NASCAR and dirt track legend Kenny Schrader. Not a bad way to spend a weekend in St. Louis.

Thunder, lightning and some heavy rain could not keep the winners of the Federated “Dream Weekend” from having a great time. Five Federated service provider customers watched some major league baseball and dirt track racing, and then they got behind the wheel of some dirt track cars and learned how to race from NASCAR and dirt track legend Kenny Schrader. Not a bad way to spend a weekend in St. Louis.

“Our five winners had an incredible weekend that I know they will always remember,” said Phil Moore, senior vice president for Federated. “The ‘Dream Weekend’ promotion was a fun and action-packed 48 hours.  Although the Federated Ironman 55 race was eventually postponed because of rain, everyone had a great time and we got to see a lot of racing action before the downpour.”

The five Federated service provider customers who attended the Federated “Dream Weekend” were:

• Dave Christopher — Christopher’s Car Care, Tallmadge, Ohio

• Howard Fulton — Cassel’s Garage, Melbourne, Fla.

• Brad Heimbach — Brad’s Motor Market Place, Lafayette, Ind.

• Rodney Gisler — Performance Plus, Three Rivers, Texas

•Troy Stariha — Kalama Auto Supply & Repair, Kalama, Wash.

 

The weekend began on Friday, Aug. 3 with a major league baseball game featuring the world champion St. Louis Cardinals hosting their arch rivals, the Milwaukee Brewers, at beautiful Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis.

On Saturday, Aug. 4, the dream weekend continued with a tour of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and a night of dirt track racing at the Federated Auto Parts I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo.  The main event, the Federated Auto Parts World of Outlaws “Ironman 55” was postponed because of a severe storm.  However, the winners still saw a lot of great racing in the qualifying heats from the comfort of track owner Schrader’s personal suite. The “Ironman 55” has been rescheduled for Oct. 13 at the Federated Auto Parts I-55 Raceway.

The dream weekend concluded back at the raceway on Sunday, Aug. 5 with a dirt track driving experience taught by instructor Schrader. The winners got behind the wheel of one of Schrader’s dirt cars and learned the ropes from the dirt track master.

For more information, visit www.federatedautoparts.com.

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The True Cost Of Comebacks

Comebacks are a hot topic today. You need to track all comebacks, determine the reason (tech error, part error, training issue, other) and then calculate the true cost of the comeback.

By Joe Marconi of Elite
Comebacks are a hot topic today. You need to track
all comebacks, determine the reason (tech error, part error, training issue,
other) and then calculate the true cost of the comeback.
Here are a few things to consider:
• The loss of time when performing the comeback; time that the tech can use to
perform other work and generate profit;
• The misc costs, such as overhead costs, supplies, cleaners, etc.;
• Towing costs, rental, etc.;
• Cost to morale;
• Reputation damage; and
• Reduction to your profit margin.
For every part issue, you need to
inform your supplier. Sit down with suppliers on a regular basis. Don’t return defective
parts until you have listed the parts, and maintain a report. Document
everything.
Part issues are increasing. Every shop
owner I speak to is frustrated over this.
Remember, comebacks kill your bottom
line. The more comebacks you have, the more they’re killing your profits.
This article was contributed by Joe Marconi.
Joe is one of the 1-on-1 business coaches who helps shop owners through
the Elite Coaching Program, and is the
co-founder of autoshopowner.com.

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