VIPAR Holds Annual Meeting, Celebrates 20 Years
VIPAR Heavy Duty recently held its annual business conference, marking the marketing group’s 20-year anniversary before an increased gathering of distributors, suppliers and industry associates attending the meeting in Marco Island, Fla.
“The strong turnout we achieved was reflective of the positive upbeat attitude that pervaded our annual business conference and the value that our distributors and supplier partners see in our event,” said Steve Crowley, president, VIPAR Heavy Duty. “While there were mixed opinions regarding the business climate that lies immediately ahead of us, there was a strong determination among attendees to evolve with these times and maximize the opportunities before them.”
The conference, which was themed “Evolution,” included a keynote presentation on “Adapting to Change” by outdoor adventurer Ed Viesturs.
“Ed helped inspire our distributor members with his adventures climbing the world’s highest mountains without the use of supplemental oxygen,” said Jeff Paul, director of marketing, VIPAR Heavy Duty. “His message was timely considering the need for adaptability in the constantly evolving business environment. Importantly, he told us that in reaching the top it’s not just what you’ve achieved, but how you’ve achieved it and that getting to the top is optional, but getting down is mandatory.”
Other presentations included a report on VIPAR Heavy Duty’s strategic direction, along with a progress report on the organization’s launch of its new distribution centers with brake remanufacturing facilities, an update on business development plans, the introduction of 2010 marketing strategies and programs and a report on business technology systems.
VIPAR’s 2010 conference will be held November 14-19, 2010, at the Marco Island Marriott in Marco Island, Fla.
FTR: Truck Orders Likely To Decline After 2007 Engine Inventory Is Gone
Heavy truck demand for 2010 is likely to slow after 2007 engine inventory is exhausted, according to the latest issue of The North American Commercial Truck and Trailer Outlook published by FTR Associates.
FTR recently increased its 2009 Class 8 forecast due to a surge in orders in October, but those orders are likely to reduce early 2010 freight-induced demand, as the order activity in October was driven by truck operators lining up for the last of pre-2010 emissions engines. For 2010 models, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set tougher guidelines that will require trucks to have more expensive emissions-control technologies.
“2009 will end with modest freight growth, and we expect 2010 growth to be in the 2.8 percent range,” said Eric Starks, FTR president. “However, given the huge decline in freight over the last few years, the increase in freight in 2010 will not be enough to entice fleets in large numbers to buy new, more expensive technology when such equipment is first made available. Many have usable miles on older equipment to get them through the initial uptick in freight demand without taking the risk of adding unfamiliar engine technology to their fleet.”
ASE Announces 2010 Officers, Governors
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) recently announced the officers for its board of directors for 2010. The organization made the following appointments:
- John Pfennig, manager of service education for Navistar, Inc. in Warrenville, Ill., was elected chairman;
- Roger Foss, national field support manager, Toyota Customer Services, Toyota Motors Sales, USA, in Torrance, Calif., was elected vice chair;
- Mike Phillips, vice president, Organizational Development, NAPA Auto Parts/Genuine Parts Company, Atlanta, Ga., was elected treasurer;
- Rob Barto, manager, Technical Training Design, Nissan North America, Franklin, Tenn., was elected secretary; and
- Joe Torchiana, president, One Stop Tire and Auto Service, Inc. West Chester, Pa., assumes the role of past chair.
“ASE’s success rests, in part, on our industry embracing the goal of voluntary certification for service professionals,” said Tim Zilke, ASE president. “The outstanding support of the ASE program by the organizations that encourage such talented people to serve on our all-volunteer board demonstrates their commitment to improving our industry.”
Also announced were newly elected members to ASE’s board of governors, representing various segments of the industry such as manufacturing/distribution, service employees, service employers and more. The new governors are:
- Monty Roberts, personnel recruiting and retention manager, BMW Group, Westwood, N.J.;
- Michael Durkin, director, Dealer Service and Warranty Operations, General Motors, Grand Blanc, Mich.;
- Brian Watkins, director of training, Midas International, Itasca, Ill.;
- David Helge, vice president Maintenance and Safety, Idealease, Inc.,
North Barrington, Ill.; - Kevin Coogan, master diagnostic specialist, Lexus of Thousand Oaks, Thousand Oaks, Calif., and
- David Fogle, shop foreman, Baker Motor Company, Charleston, S.C.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing board members for their service over the years,” Zilke continued. Stepping down as their terms expired was Rod Davis, vice president of Dispute Resolution, Council of Better Business Bureaus; John Brekke, technician at Go Toyota Arapahoe; Jim Uffer, president of Truck Tech, Inc.; and Bill Willis, president of Willis GM Automall & Willis Ford, Inc. “Each of these individuals devoted countless hours to the betterment of our industry and the thousands of automotive service professionals who proudly wear the ASE Blue Seal. We thank them for their service and wish them continued success.”
PTM Releases PTM-Vision for Parts, Repair Businesses
PTM Inc. announced the released of its new, Windows-based software called PTM-Vision, designed to provide “automation for every facet of a parts and repair shop business,” the company said.
Among the areas of automation are point-of-sale, inventory management, accounting, shop time and labor management, fleet maintenance, shop scheduling and many other routine business functions.
“What makes PTM-Vision the most advanced enterprise software product is a number of things,” said Todd Adams, development specialist. “First is the platform size – supporting the new Intel 64-bit processor technology. Almost all of the current software products in our industry are designed for 32-bit processor technology. Second, is the breadth of the software; PTM-Vision is one of the rare products in this industry that integrates all accounting functions into a shop management software product for Microsoft’s Windows platform. This makes PTM-Vision a true enterprise software solution. Last, but not least, is the speed and ease-of-use of the PTM-Vision interface. PTM-Vision’s SK-5 Technology is the most flexible user interface in the industry.”
