Executive Interview: Dan Moody, General Manager, MAHLE Aftermarket Business, North America
During his career with MAHLE, Dan Moody has served as project leader of several acquisition projects, including the Dana Engine Parts business and most recently, RTI Technologies. Moody began his career at Sealed Power Corporation (now SPX Corporation). He later served as president for the Dana Sealed Power/Perfect Circle group, and became group vice president of the Dana Engine Products Group before joining the MAHLE Group in 2006. Moody’s extensive experience strengthens MAHLE Clevite Inc. as the premier supplier of engine system components in North America and a leading supplier of filters to the import aftermarket.
Oceanside Transmission: Specialization And A Unique Business Plan Foster Partnerships With Other General Repair Shops
Oceanside Transmission has been in business since 1989 and over the years Owner Dean Kuhn has seen a lot of changes in the transmission business. Gone are the transmission-only shops of the past; to survive, a change in the shop’s business model was a must.
Getting Employees To Adopt The Right Culture
How many times during the day does a customer stop by or call, and ask to only speak with you, the shop owner? Do you know why? It’s because in general, the experience the customer has when dealing with the owner of a business is much different than when dealing with an employee.
Motor Works, Inc.: Successful Rockville, MD, Shop Is Built On A ‘Winning Combination’ Of Confidence In Staff And Respect For Clientele
When you’ve been a shop owner as long as Greg Skolnik has – since December 1979, to be exact – you’ve learned a thing or two about running a successful automotive repair business: Like ways to retain top-notch employees and how to build relationships with customers that keep them coming back year after year.
Editor’s Notebook: Be Your Own Steward
One of the most important jobs you have is to make sure your customers are satisfied and that they return to your shop for additional repairs and preventive maintenance. Exceeding their expectations should rank among one of your most important-customer service strategies.
Executive Interview: Jeff Blocher, Vice President Sales, & Dave McColley, Vice President Marketing and Product Development, Wix Filters
WIX Filter’s Jeff Blocher, vice president of sales, and Dave McColley, vice president of marketing and product development, work hand-in-hand to build the WIX brand. In their time working together on WIX Filters marketing, these two dedicated members of the WIX Filters and Affinia Group families have led a shift in the ways which WIX engages with customers, markets its brand and serves the aftermarket.
Brand Building: Plan For The Future … Now!
The great thing about a strong brand is that it works very hard in portraying exactly who you are and what your unique offer is. Ideally, when customers quickly see your logo, they should get a quick take on who you are as a business. So, yes, a logo is a real workhorse. But it does not work by itself. Designed well into your marketing materials, it should complement your message.
Are You Ready To Move Your Business Forward?
A recent report from Lang Marketing Resources Inc. reported that in spite of the economic climate, service stations, independent garages, repair specialists and foreign car specialists generated about 2.6 billion more in service revenue in the U.S. car and light truck aftermarket in 2011 vs. 2010. This revenue increase is coming primarily from the Do It For Me (DIFM) sector. In striking contrast, the same report projects that new car dealerships will lose more than $750 million in service market products. Service stations and independent garages now account for 29 percent of the total aftermarket DIFM market.
ACDelco Launches A Facebook Page
The ACDelco Facebook page features articles, informative videos and information on how to locate ACDelco Professional Service Centers and retail stores. ACDelco says it plans to post relevant industry and car care stories – such as gas-saving information, seasonal driving tips and “guess this part” features – and other news. Other tabs will be added throughout the year.
Executive Interview: Carolyn Cook, ACDelco General Director
Carolyn Cook, ACDelco general director, has been a field parts representative, regional parts manager, parts processing center plant manager and – most recently – director of aftersales for Chevrolet Europe. Since taking the reigns of ACDelco in July, Cook has spent a considerable amount of time on the road, talking with warehouse distributors and independent service centers about their businesses.