Federated Honors Member Tim Trudnowski With Industry Advocacy Award -

Federated Honors Member Tim Trudnowski With Industry Advocacy Award

The second-ever Federated Industry Advocacy Award was recently presented to longtime Federated member Tim Trudnowski at the annual Federated national meeting held in Phoenix, AZ.

The second-ever Federated Industry Advocacy Award was recently presented to longtime Federated member Tim Trudnowski at the annual Federated national meeting held in Phoenix, AZ.

 

(L to R): Federated members Tim Trudnowski, president of Parts Wholesalers, Inc. and Dick Beirne, president of United Auto Supply.

“At Federated, all our members play an active role in the aftermarket, but Tim Trudnowski really stands out with his willingness to volunteer his time and knowledge to help the industry prosper,” said Rusty Bishop, CEO of Federated Auto Parts. “Over the past year, Tim has done an admirable job as vice chairman of AWDA and we know he will do a tremendous job when he takes over the chairmanship this October. We congratulate Tim on receiving our Industry Advocacy Award, a recognition that he truly deserves.”

Trudnowski is president of Spokane-based Parts Wholesalers, Inc., one of Federated’s oldest members.  He currently serves as vice chairman of the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), a position he assumed in October 2011. In October 2012, he will become chairman of AWDA, a position he will hold for one year.

Parts Wholesalers, Inc. started its longtime affiliation with Federated Auto Parts in 1985. In 1986, the company purchased its first stand-alone store, the original Motion Auto Supply, in the Spokane valley. While this store location was eventually closed in 1989, the name continues on. Today, Parts Wholesalers, Inc. is a 100-percent employee owned company consisting of eight store locations that operate as Automotive Jobbers Supply and Motion Auto Supply. They also supply parts to independently owned jobber stores in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana.

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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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