Counterman

My favorite billboard sign of all time was one that once stood over Woodward Avenue during the Woodward Dream Cruise. It had a picture of a 1970 Chevelle and a caption that said, “The only carbs we cared about were under the hood.” It harkened to a different time – a time of automotive passion that saw high horsepower out of low technology. It was the time of high compression and high octane. It also was the time of the distributor. Maybe that’s why I love them. They were simple, basic, maybe even crude by today’s standards – but they worked. And the ability to tune a car – to really make it run well – was left only to those who took the time to understand them. It’s been many years since distributors have been used on new vehicles, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t hundreds of thousands still on the road – and there are. Selling distributor components, from small parts to complete units, can mean big profit, and the key to it is understanding the distributor or, more importantly, helping your customer understand them. As a counter professional, your job – like that of a technician – often comes down to education. You are the teacher, and that’s what your customers expect. It’s very likely, at some point, that a customer will ask you if a distributor is better than modern ignition systems or even try to argue that they were. The answer, of course, is no. (I said I love them, not that they were better.) If you have to explain it, in a nutshell, there are too many wearing parts; too many opportunities for higher-than-normal resistance; continuous maintenance; and lack of precision spark control. Many people consider old technology better due to its simplicity, and it would be fair to agree on that point, but functionally it doesn’t hold a candle to anything new. The Basics So, let’s take a brief look at distributor technology. The first point-style ignition distributor was developed around 1910 to improve on the difficulties experienced with magneto-type ignition systems for automotive use. This point-style ignition was such a success that it was ultimately used in production cars until the mid-1970s. The primary service components were the points, condenser, cap and rotor, and the ignition coil was separate from the distributor. The distributor was driven by a gear on the camshaft or, in some cases, an intermediate shaft. When rotating, the ignition points opened and closed off a cam located on the distributor shaft. How did it all work together? It starts with understanding how an ignition coil works. The ignition coil has primary and secondary windings. When current flows through the primary winding, a magnetic field is created that surrounds the secondary windings. When the current flow is interrupted, the magnetic field collapses and induces high voltage in the secondary windings. The voltage and current from the secondary windings are directed to the spark plugs through the plug wires, distributor cap and rotor. Inside the distributor, the points are the switch that controls the flow of current through the primary windings of the coil. When the points are closed, the current flows and the coil becomes saturated. When they open, current flow ceases, the magnetic field collapses and high voltage travels to ground through the spark plugs. The reason that the secondary voltage is boosted to such a high level is that the primary winding of a coil contains approximately 200 turns of wire. The secondary windings may contain 20,000 or 30,000. This is why 12 volts supplied to a coil can be transformed into voltages of 20,000, to as high as 50,000. By understanding these fundamentals and the fact that ignition coils can differ in the number of windings and ultimately their output, you can see how the amount of and how long the current that flows through the primary side of the coil will affect coil output. Since the amount of time that the points are closed controls how long the current flows through the coil, the critical nature of point adjustment (dwell) becomes apparent. Now that we know where the spark comes from and how it gets to the plugs, there’s one component left to explain: the condenser. As the points open, current will attempt to continue to flow across them by arcing. The condenser quickly absorbs and dissipates this electrical energy and does the following two things: It eliminates arcing between the points, which would burn them up quickly; and it also puts an abrupt stop to the current flow through the coil, making the magnetic field collapse quickly for more accurate spark control. Electronic Ignition So, what is electronic ignition? After all, the points and condenser work off basic electronic principles, right? When electronic ignition first came out in the early 1970s, it (sometimes called transistorized ignition) was still a distributor with a cap, rotor and plug wires and, in many cases, a separate coil. It actually didn’t look different at all until GM released its High Energy Ignition (HEI) distributor, which housed the coil in the distributor cap and was visually much different. What was different was the points and condenser were gone! No more regular adjustments or regular maintenance; the points were replaced by electronic pickups made with solid-state components. The most common was a Hall-effect unit, which passed a rotating magnetic field in front of a Hall-effect pickup that would detect the magnetic field. Solid state meant the electronic components themselves had no moving parts; their operation is based on fundamental electronic theory. Electronic-ignition distributors were much superior to their point-and-condenser counterparts. One of the biggest drawbacks to points was that the rubbing block that contacted the cam on the distributor shaft wears constantly during use. Even though a set of points may ultimately last 10,000 miles, for example, since the rubbing block continuously wears, the dwell continuously changes, which causes the timing to change and the output of the coil as well. It’s easy to think, “If the rubbing block wears, the points will be closed longer. Won’t this allow more time for the coil to saturate, resulting in a higher voltage output?” This is not the case. The correct dwell setting ensures that the coil will be completely saturated. It’s true if the points aren’t closed long enough the coil won’t have enough time to saturate. But if they’re closed too long, that also means they’re not open long enough. If they are not open long enough, the field in the coil will not have sufficient time to collapse and produce the necessary voltage for proper spark before current begins to flow back into the primary side of the coil again. So, electronic ignition eliminated the wear and maintenance problems associated with points and condenser, but all electronic ignition distributors were not created equal. Enter GM’s HEI. Another drawback to points was they don’t last long under a constant 12 volts, so voltage through the coil and to the points was limited by either a ballast resistor or a resistance wire, depending on vehicle make. During cranking, the resistance was bypassed so full battery voltage would be supplied to the coil for starting, but then when the key was released to the “Run” position, voltage was limited. The lower voltage limited coil output and even after switching over to electronic ignition, some systems retained use of the ballast resistor, limiting ignition-coil output. GM’s HEI utilized full battery voltage all the time, and the result was an ignition system with a much higher output. Another aspect of ignition is that the higher the rpm, the greater the spark requirement. As engine rpm increases on a point-style ignition – even with the dwell set properly – the amount of actual time the points remain closed is less, resulting in a less time for the coil to saturate and less spark when the engine needs it the most. GM’s HEI was designed so that the dwell increases as engine rpm increases, providing high rpm performance as well as high output and dependability – whereas some systems retained fixed dwell. If you’ve been around old cars, you’re probably familiar with all of the different variations and names of electronic ignition systems throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s. The only one that stayed the same was GM’s HEI. Everyone else followed their lead. Timing Advance Before we get into selling components, which will be a walk in the park for you now, we’ll touch quickly on distributor advance. Two types of timing advance can be found in distributors: vacuum and mechanical. Sometimes they have only one type, sometimes both. Timing advance is required because once ignited, the air/fuel mixture in a cylinder does not burn instantly. It takes a certain amount of time to burn. The higher the engine rpm, the earlier the mixture must be ignited to reach the full burn, or maximum pressure at the precise time to force the piston down. This gets deep into engine theory and design, but the fact is that having the correct amount of advance at precisely the correct time has a monumental effect on engine performance. Mechanical advance uses weights that move outward from centrifugal force. As they move outward, they rotate the base plate of the distributor that supports either the points or electronic trigger mechanism. The higher the rpm, the more mechanical advance is applied until its mechanical limit is reached. Mechanical advance can be “tuned” using different weights or springs. Vacuum advance also rotates the same base plate of a distributor, but in response to engine-ported vacuum. The more vacuum applied, the greater the advance. This is utilized for low-rpm advance before the mechanical advance spins fast enough to come into play. Selling Distributor Components What can you capitalize on when selling distributor components? Cap, rotor, plugs and plug wires might be the easier topics, and they’re what a lot of people just ask for. The cap, rotor and wire condition generally can be determined through visual inspection, but if it’s time for a tuneup, a vehicle has a misfire or the customer can’t remember when they were done last, the door is open and it’s a perfect time to sell. Never guarantee that a cap, rotor and wires will solve a misfire or running problem. But, they can degrade from use and age, and they’re true maintenance items, so don’t forget to point that out. Spark plugs are a maintenance item that you almost can’t do too often. Some late-model vehicles that still have distributors have efficient fuel-injection systems and engine controls, and the plugs will last for a long time. It doesn’t make sense to unnecessarily replace a good expensive set of plugs on a fuel-injected vehicle, but I shy away from the really high replacement intervals like 100,000 miles. If someone hits 90,000 and says, “It doesn’t call for them until 100,000,” it’s time for plugs in my opinion (they’re getting worn regardless). For older vehicles with less efficient fuel and ignition systems, the plugs need to be replaced more often. OE-style plugs are the best to recommend with any system, and if it’s a classic that isn’t driven as much, don’t be afraid to recommend a fresh set. Most vehicle owners will know if they have points and condenser. When old cars were driven daily, points and condenser were replaced at least once a year, just because of mileage. It’s not necessary to do this now, since most cars with these systems don’t see a whole lot of miles. But, like before, if someone opens the door and can’t remember when they were done last, sell them the parts. It’s always a good idea to clean up the points and adjust dwell, however. If you stock any basic tools, a nice upsell is a point file, a dwell meter, a spark plug gauge and a timing light. This will cover the standard maintenance requirements of a point-type ignition and if they have electronic ignition, just the spark plug gauge and timing light will do. When someone is doing an ignition tuneup, be sure to ask them about the condition of their distributor-advance components. Vacuum-advance diaphragms go bad from time to time, so they should be checked and replaced, if necessary. Mechanical weights should be taken off and their pivot points cleaned and lubricated. In many cases, the mechanical-advance weights pivot on bushings that commonly wear out, and the weights themselves can have grooves worn in them if they haven’t been lubricated on a regular basis. It’s all a great opportunity for an upsell. Additional distributor components include seals and bushings and also the electrical connectors that plug into them (pigtails). If someone is removing their distributor for service, a new seal makes sense, but bushings are a harder sell since most people will generally buy a new distributor if the bushings are worn. But, the sale could be yours if you’re the one who helps them understand their distributor. Worn bushings are common on higher-mileage distributors and easy to spot on an oscilloscope, but since nobody really has one of those sitting around in their garage, they’re easy to check by grabbing the distributor shaft and attempting to rock it back and forth. Any noticeable play means the bushings are worn. Since the trigger wheel or points are driven directly off of the distributor shaft, just imagine what will happen to dwell and timing if this shaft is rocking back and forth in worn bushings. Dielectric Grease Dielectric grease is another great upsell. Forget about the silly little packets that give you just enough to get your finger or an application brush greasy – sell them a tube. No, you don’t need to, nor should you use an excessive amount of it, but it’s frustrating to deal with such a small amount. Plus, you can remind your customer of all the additional electronic uses for dielectric grease (don’t let the name throw you off). Dielectric grease does not conduct electricity at all. What it does do is seal electric components from moisture, which is why you can find it in a lot of electrical connectors and in bulb sockets. This was the original intention of it: to prevent moisture and corrosion from occurring. An added benefit is that when used on plug-wire boots, it keeps moisture out but also keeps the boot from sticking onto a spark plug or distributor cap, making removal much easier. An oddball – but one you will run across – is heat-transfer compound. You also may hear this referred to as thermal grease, thermal compound or even heat-sink compound. Have you ever removed an ignition module or other electronic module from either inside a distributor or another location and found that it had grease underneath? This is a compound that is specially formulated so that it transfers heat from the module to the mounting location. It is a true heat sink and very important. Modules that originally were installed with this will overheat if the proper compound is not reused. A Few More Add-Ons Just a few final things can finish off the perfect ignition-tuneup shopping cart. When someone is working on a vehicle that is from the early ‘70s, don’t forget to see if their car has a ballast resistor. (You’ll get used to these applications pretty quickly.) They commonly go bad and cause a no-start. It’s never bad to have an extra one in your glovebox. For the old point-style distributors, there is a specific grease for the distributor cam to lubricate the ignition-point rubbing block. Some points may come with a small packet. If not, be sure to recommend it. Anti-seize also is a good upsell, but it’s not necessary all the time. Make sure you recommend the proper use. If the plugs are located in a deep well – like a lot of double overhead-cam engines – advise your customer to check for the presence of oil. They may need a valve-cover gasket. And, last but not least, a light lubricating or penetrating oil is nice to have on hand. Many distributors have metal clips that hold the cap in place. These clips commonly get rusty where they attach to the distributor, and it’s nice to work some lubricant in and free them up. It makes it much easier to reinstall the cap. This might be a lot, but when you have the knowledge, your customer will keep coming back. The post Remembering Ignition Distributors appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

For Dave Marsh, turning personal strengths into something of value as a professional is what has guided him in his 32-year career with General Motors. In his current role as executive director for North America, Marsh handles Customer Care and Aftersales for ACDelco in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In this episode of “AMN Drivetime” hosted by Babcox Media CEO Bill Babcox, Marsh shares some of the wisdom he has accrued over three decades in the industry, including how to go beyond being simply competent to becoming an elite performer. Babcox and Marsh also discuss GM’s recent global rebranding initiative along with new marketing campaigns for the GM Genuine Parts and ACDelco brands. In addition, they discuss some of the bigger industry challenges today: supply chain challenges, parts proliferation, EVs, technology and innovation – oh, and a few favorite funny stories from the road. Watch the episode Listen to the podcast The post ACDelco’s Dave Marsh, A GM ‘Lifer,’ On ‘AMN Drivetime’ (Video) appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

For Dave Marsh, turning personal strengths into something of value as a professional is what has guided him in his 32-year career with General Motors. In his current role as executive director for North America, Marsh handles Customer Care and Aftersales for ACDelco in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In this episode of “AMN Drivetime” hosted by Babcox Media CEO Bill Babcox, Marsh shares some of the wisdom he has accrued over three decades in the industry, including how to go beyond being simply competent to becoming an elite performer. Babcox and Marsh also discuss GM’s recent global rebranding initiative along with new marketing campaigns for the GM Genuine Parts and ACDelco brands. In addition, they discuss some of the bigger industry challenges today: supply chain challenges, parts proliferation, EVs, technology and innovation – oh, and a few favorite funny stories from the road. Watch the episode Listen to the podcast The post ACDelco’s Dave Marsh, A GM ‘Lifer,’ On ‘AMN Drivetime’ (Video) appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

For Dave Marsh, turning personal strengths into something of value as a professional is what has guided him in his 32-year career with General Motors. In his current role as executive director for North America, Marsh handles Customer Care and Aftersales for ACDelco in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In this episode of “AMN Drivetime” hosted by Babcox Media CEO Bill Babcox, Marsh shares some of the wisdom he has accrued over three decades in the industry, including how to go beyond being simply competent to becoming an elite performer. Babcox and Marsh also discuss GM’s recent global rebranding initiative along with new marketing campaigns for the GM Genuine Parts and ACDelco brands. In addition, they discuss some of the bigger industry challenges today: supply chain challenges, parts proliferation, EVs, technology and innovation – oh, and a few favorite funny stories from the road. Watch the episode Listen to the podcast The post ACDelco’s Dave Marsh, A GM ‘Lifer,’ On ‘AMN Drivetime’ (Video) appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

For Dave Marsh, turning personal strengths into something of value as a professional is what has guided him in his 32-year career with General Motors. In his current role as executive director for North America, Marsh handles Customer Care and Aftersales for ACDelco in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In this episode of “AMN Drivetime” hosted by Babcox Media CEO Bill Babcox, Marsh shares some of the wisdom he has accrued over three decades in the industry, including how to go beyond being simply competent to becoming an elite performer. Babcox and Marsh also discuss GM’s recent global rebranding initiative along with new marketing campaigns for the GM Genuine Parts and ACDelco brands. In addition, they discuss some of the bigger industry challenges today: supply chain challenges, parts proliferation, EVs, technology and innovation – oh, and a few favorite funny stories from the road. Watch the episode Listen to the podcast The post ACDelco’s Dave Marsh, A GM ‘Lifer,’ On ‘AMN Drivetime’ (Video) appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

The American Heart Association offers a few tips for keeping your heart healthy during the holidays. According to the American Heart Association, scientific research over time has shown an uptick in cardiac events during the winter holiday season, and more people die from heart attacks between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 than at any other time of the year. The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, has tips and resources to help you and yours have a happy, healthy holiday season. “The holidays are a busy, often stressful, time for most of us,” said Donald Lloyd-Jones, volunteer president of the American Heart Association and Eileen M. Foell professor of heart research at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. “Routines are disrupted; we may tend to eat and drink more and exercise and relax less. We also may not be listening to our bodies or paying attention to warning signs, thinking it can wait until after the new year. All of these can be contributors to increasing the risk for heart attack at this time of the year. “This may be even more likely for many people who didn’t get to be with family and friends last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. It’s incredibly important to be aware of these risks. Take a few simple steps that can help keep you heart healthy with much to celebrate in the new year.” Here are some things to be mindful of (a list the American Heart Association recommends checking twice): Know the symptoms and take action. Heart-attack signs may vary in men and women, and it’s important to catch them early and call 9-1-1 for help. The sooner medical treatment begins, the better the chances of survival and preventing heart damage.Celebrate in moderation. ‘Tis the season for unhealthy changes in diet and higher alcohol consumption. Eating healthfully during the holidays doesn’t have to mean depriving yourself; there are still ways to eat smart. Look for small, healthy changes and swaps you can make so you continue to feel your best while eating and drinking in moderation, and don’t forget to watch the sodium.Plan for peace on earth and goodwill toward yourself. Make time to take care of yourself during the busy holiday. Reduce stress from family interactions, strained finances, hectic schedules and other stressors that tack on this time of year, including traveling.Keep moving. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week, and this number usually drops during the holiday buzz. Get creative with ways to stay active, even if it’s going for a family walk or another fun activity you can do with your loved ones. Stick to your meds. Busy holidays can make way for skipping medications, forgetting them when away from home or not getting refills in a timely manner. Here is a medication chart to help stay on top of it, and be sure to keep tabs on your blood-pressure numbers. Learn more about heart attacks here. The post ‘Tis the Season … For Heart Attacks appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

John Ziegler Jr. has rubber running through his veins. The third generation of a 102-year-old tire business, Ziegler grew up busting tires at his family’s Ziegler Tire retail stores in Canton, Ohio. After graduating from college, he worked for short time at a Firestone store, yet the family business, which claims to be one of the first and oldest Firestone dealers, called him back. A jack of all trades, Ziegler has worked on the retail, commercial and wholesale side of Ziegler Tire’s growing business, and now serves as the company’s vice president. Over the years, Ziegler Tire has grown to include three wholesale centers, two retread plants, 16 commercial centers and seven retail locations. From growing up in the business, Ziegler has plenty of stories about Ziegler Tire’s growing pains and triumphs and has met tire industry greats along the way. Learn about them and hear his stories in the latest episode of “Johnny g & Friends,” sponsored by Firestone. Click here to watch the full episode. The post John Ziegler Jr. Reflects On Challenges That Shaped Ziegler Tire appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Litens Aftermarket has just launched its new website, and the company says it is prepared to “continue as the largest supplier delivering the highest quality of power transmission products.” “With this updated website, our current and future marketplace partners will have a better experience and are going to find it easier to locate valuable information such as our parts catalog, new-number announcements, what’s new at Litens and much more,” said John Lussier, president of Tendeco. Litens’ technology is applied globally to more than half of the vehicles on the road today, working to reduce emissions, while improving fuel economy, performance and passenger experience, according to the company. “So, it is only right for our website to reflect our capabilities in full capacity, while acting as a hub of resources and benefits to our customers,” the company added. “This new website emphasizes how important the use of OE quality in the aftermarket is,” said Damien Gabel, managing director, ATech. “Low-tensioning devices, overrunning alternator decouplers (OADs), BASFiltr and TorqFiltr and mid-hybrid tensioners are largely participating in the global CO2 reduction. We hope that this new website will provide clarity to the replacement market, in regard to the latest technology used in current cars.” What’s New? Not only is the new website easy to navigate, but it also was primarily built by keeping the company’s consumer needs in mind. The site has a direct link that can guide users to Litens’ online store, where customers can find products through associated VIN, make, model, year or engine, for a quick and direct purchasing process. “As our new website features are premised on convenience, we hope to configure a user-friendly experience for our clients and partners through,” said Lussier. Features include: Showcasing frequently updated new-product releasesSharing a platform filled with engaging news storiesProviding contact information so anyone can reach Litens Aftermarket without difficultyExhibiting an all-encompassing high-performance line “To help save time, effort and energy, we have crafted our new website’s ‘Download’ section, which is a source of trustworthy information on our products and their respective descriptions,” said Lussier. “Here, our channel audience can also access installation sheets that will simplify and support the installation process.” For more information, visit Litens Aftermarket. The post Litens Launches New Technology-Focused Website appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

NTN, the parent company of BCA Bearings, has announced the addition of 25 new product SKUs to the BCA lineup of aftermarket products. BCA’s December 2021 release includes wheel-hub assemblies and kits for a number of import and domestic applications. The new SKUs augment BCA’s coverage for the fast-growing light- and medium-duty work-truck fleet segment, including Ford Transit Connect, Ram ProMaster as well as multiple Sprinter-based models. Other notable coverage additions include Tesla Model S and X, and on the other end of the spectrum, the seventh-generation Chevrolet Corvette. Also of note is added coverage for the 2020 Ford F-150, a first-to-aftermarket offering from BCA. In total, this release accounts for more than 11.1 million vehicles in operation for the United States. “This final release of the 2021 calendar year represents the addition of a diverse variety of coverage to the BCA product line.” said Rina Dafnis, assistant product manager – automotive aftermarket. “This release includes coverage for the largest and fastest-growing vehicle segments in the North American aftermarket. There is a growing demand to cover battery-electric and late-model work-truck vehicles, which are entering the aftermarket sweetspot, and our mission is to stay ahead of that demand. “We are also proud to be first to the automotive aftermarket with coverage for the top-selling vehicle in North America in 2020, the Ford F-150.” Throughout 2021, BCA added 56 new SKUs representing more than 23.6 million vehicles in operation in the United States alone. In 2021, the BCA catalog team also added carry-up applications for 140 existing SKUs, providing catalog coverage for more than 7.2 million vehicles in operation. The post BCA Adds Hub Assemblies For Import, Domestic Applications appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Products from First Brands Group were recently featured on the Lifetime series “Military Makeover with Montel.” In the episode, “Major Progress Happening at the Pryor Home Makeover,” First Brands Group Director of Marketing Kristin Grons thanks the Pryor family for their service and explains that maintenance will be performed on their vehicle using premium-quality FRAM filters, TRICO wipers and Raybestos brakes. The full episode is available for viewing on MilitaryMakeover.com, and the First Brands Group portion of the show can be seen at https://militarymakeover.tv/working-on-the-pyror-familys-car/. “Military Makeover with Montel” enlists designers, contractors and other professionals to offer hope and a helping hand on the home front to members of the military and their loved ones. Talk-show legend and military advocate Montel Williams, a veteran of both the Marine Corps and the Navy, leads the makeover team’s mission to transform the homes and lives of military families across the country. The post First Brands Group Products Featured On ‘Military Makeover’ appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Hahn Automotive Warehouse and Carparts Distribution Center have signed a definitive agreement for Hahn to acquire Carparts. Rochester, New York-based Hahn and Plaistow, New Hampshire-based Carparts are members of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance. Terms of the transaction, which is expected to close on or about Dec. 27, were not disclosed. Stan Lewis, president of Carparts, will continue with the company following the completion of the transaction. Hahn decided to acquire Carparts based on Carparts’ performance as a well-managed company with a commitment to growth and customer service in the New England market. “I am thrilled our family business is going from my family to another family business,” said Maggie Maleno, a long-time shareholder of Carparts. “It was important for my employees to have a welcoming place to work.” Lewis added: “We are extremely pleased to be joining Hahn to continue with the business of the combined Hahn/Carparts entity. This combination provides significant opportunities for growth for our customers, including enhanced sales and marketing efforts throughout the New England area.” The post Hahn Automotive To Acquire Carparts Distribution Center appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

The benefits of electric vehicles are evident: The ability to drive past a gas station may produce a warm smile; the sound of more change in your pocket from embracing a more sustainable alternative is like Mozart; and being low maintenance and reducing your carbon footprint help contribute to a greener earth. So, it’s no wonder that electric vehicles are gaining in popularity. While EVs continue to play a pivotal role in helping us meet global carbon-emission targets, are we prepared to deal with their associated waste streams and other environmental costs? Lithium-ion batteries, tires and used parts can be a burden on landfills. In addition, maintenance waste, such as coolant and brake fluid, must be properly disposed of. To understand the true value of EVs, it’s imperative to assess the total environmental, social and economic impact from the cradle to the grave. SEEING REALITY FROM ATOP A MOUNTAIN OF BATTERIES Most EV components are the same as gas-powered vehicles. However, the most significant difference is the battery. In fact, if you do a quick Google search for “electric-vehicle recycling,” the No. 1 item that comes up is the issue surrounding their batteries. Gas-powered vehicles operate on lead-acid batteries, which are widely recycled. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the lithium-ion versions used in electric vehicles. The batteries in EVs are larger and heavier by comparison, and they are made up of several hundred lithium-ion cells – all of which require dismantling. These cells are part of a power unit that contains hazardous materials. If not disposed of or disassembled properly, they can explode or be incredibly harmful to the environment. According to Smart Energy International, studies show that by 2040, there will be more than 7.7 million tons of EV batteries that need recycling. As more of us switch to electric power, the need for circular solutions, recycling facilities, and proper waste consulting and management grows. Manufacturers consider an EV battery’s end of life when it can no longer hold more than 80% of its charge. Think of it like a phone battery: After a while, the time that it holds a charge dwindles. To optimize the sustainability of an EV battery, we must find ways to divert it from landfills and give it life beyond its original purpose. Japanese carmaker Nissan found that true sustainability can be reached if we do just that with electric vehicle batteries. Nissan uses automated guided vehicles to deliver parts to workers on the factory floor as part of its production line. Traditionally, these battery-powered machines use lead-acid batteries that last only a couple of years. However, engineers have discovered a process that takes old EV batteries and repackages them to fit inside these robots that (ironically) are used to make electric vehicles. So, it all comes full circle. Governments and vehicle manufacturers are inching toward some level of recycling with electric vehicles, but battery recycling will require more than mere technological advances. The high cost of transporting these items can discourage recycling. However, companies that work with the right service organizations – that keep sustainability, waste and recycling top of mind – can have a massive impact on the betterment of our world. OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO ELIMINATE WASTE In addition to batteries, EVs, like traditional motor vehicles, are made up of metal and plastic fragments, tires, motor fluids, airbags and electrical components that should be recycled. Here are a few examples: • Scrap metals in electric vehicles can be easily recycled by auto wreckers and recyclers, which cuts down on the amount of waste in a landfill. • Tires are dumped and burned more often than we’d like to admit, creating an incredible amount of toxic air pollution. Old tires have infinite applications. They can be broken down and made into various useful commodities, such as insulation and material for resurfacing roads. • Coolant fluid, brake fluid and windshield washer fluid are used in EVs. These waste products can have a negative environmental impact, and we must do our part to reduce, reuse and recycle these items. • Glass from vehicle windows can be recycled into other glass products. • Although a controversial material, plastics from the dashboard and internal structure can be melted down and made into new products. • Upholstered seats can be harvested for their materials and turned into furniture. As the age of electric vehicles continues to blossom, businesses should continue to take steps to reduce their carbon emissions and positively impact their bottom line, including recycling standard vehicle-waste products and evaluating waste streams to look for room to grow. In doing so, operators can capitalize on the recovery value of their waste and reinvest their savings into electric vehicles – ultimately making EVs a more immediate viable business option. Ray Hatch has served as president and chief executive officer of Quest Resource Management Group, a national provider of waste and recycling services that enable businesses to achieve and satisfy their environmental and sustainability goals and responsibilities, since February 2016. The post EV Lifecycles And The Environment appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Continental has just launched a new website encompassing all of Continental’s OE-quality aftermarket replacement parts, diagnostic equipment and solutions for specialty vehicles. The new website at continentalaftermarket.com serves as a central location for all product information, cataloging, training, news and more. It allows easy access to all of Continental’s brands, including ATE brake systems, REDI-Sensor multi-application TPMS sensors, Autodiagnos automotive diagnostic tools, ClearContact premium beam wiper blades and Continental Special Vehicle Solutions. A major component of the new website is the Continental online parts catalog, which offers an easy and simple-to-use year/make/model look-up along with a VIN search, cross reference, Buyer’s guide, a where-to-buy feature and links to product information and specifications, how-to videos and technical-document downloads. In addition to the all-brand online parts catalog, the Continental website also features a “Training Central” section that provides a wide variety of online training programs, webinars and how-to demonstration videos to help users expand their technical knowledge about the products and their specific applications. Aftermarket products currently featured in Training Central include REDI-Sensor TPMS sensors, Autodiagnos Pro and TPMS tools and Continental hybrid-battery cooling fans and coolant inverter pumps. The Continental Special Vehicle Solutions section provides valuable insight into the expanding Continental portfolio of innovations designed to provide smart mobility, safety and driver comfort for commercial vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, off-highway and agricultural equipment, as well buses and recreational vehicles. For more information, visit: continentalaftermarket.com or contact [email protected]. The post Continental Launches New Aftermarket Website In North America appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Delphi Technologies, a brand of BorgWarner Inc., received the 2021 AASA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Award on Nov. 3 at AAPEX in Las Vegas. “Delphi Technologies has a long history of walking the walk,” said Megan Gardner, director of membership and engagement with AASA. “They continuously set the bar high for their organization and in doing so, challenge others to follow suit in the honorable fight for DEI and a healthy company culture.” Anita Barlow of Delphi Technologies (left) and Megan Gardner of AASA BorgWarner provides its employees with extensive programs and leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion and cultivates a workplace where diversity is welcomed, and employees are given opportunities to discuss inclusion openly. The company created regional DEI councils that review policies and procedures to ensure they are serving the needs of the employee base and implemented a global company ratio compensation analysis to take a stand against unconscious bias. To take it a step further, BorgWarner also has specific trainings to help its workforce understand unconscious bias and how to overcome it. It’s clear that DEI is core to the company’s success, employee retention and culture. “When we’re in an environment where everyone can be true to themselves, happiness and productivity come naturally,” said Anita Barlow, managing director, Remanufacturing, North America with Delphi Technologies. “This is critical in building high-performing teams, not just from a business perspective, but also a human one. When we feel like we can be ourselves, we feel a sense of inclusion and belongingness. This helps us from a company point of view to improve retention, productivity, and bottom-line profitability.” Barlow was invited by Gardner on stage to receive the award on behalf of Delphi Technologies Aftermarket, and then participated in a quick Q&A on the company’s councils, implementation of DEI, and the strong reputation Delphi Technologies has earned by simply doing the right thing. Daniel Tristan Receives DEI Individual Award Daniel Tristan, director of International for Spectronics, received the 2021 AASA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Individual Award. “AASA is proud to announce a new annual award, with the purpose of recognizing an influential leader in the automotive aftermarket that supports and represents the core values of diversity, equity & inclusion,” said Ben Brucato, senior director for AASA. “AASA is dedicated to challenging our industry to be forward thinking and retaining and attracting talent from all backgrounds and walks of life. We know it will make our industry stronger and more resilient.” Daniel Tristan of Spectronics (left) and Ben Brucato of AASA Tristan’s parents immigrated from Mexico in the 1960s, where his father started a service station in Texas and where Daniel started his automotive career as a small child. It was then that Tristan’s passion for hard work, leadership and DEI began to blossom. Tristan is one of the youngest members of AASA’s board of governors and also is the incoming chairman of the Overseas Automotive Council (OAC). His roles in leadership allow him to be a huge advocate for minorities in the automotive aftermarket, where he helps recruit and retain talent from all backgrounds. “As a Mexican American who started my career patching tires and doing oil changes, it is a privilege to be part of an industry that has given so much to me and my family,” said Tristan. Ben Brucato took the stage following the announcement of the AASA Advocacy Champion, to officially name Tristan as the first ever AASA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion. Bruce Ronning Receives Member Advocacy Award Bruce Ronning, senior vice president, Global Sales and Commercial Operations at DRiV, received the 2021 AASA Member Advocacy Award. “This award is to recognize one of our members who has gone above and beyond and who has been a proud representative of our industry,” said Paul McCarthy, president and CEO of AASA. “Bruce has made the needs and values of the aftermarket heard and understood by key external audiences and has stood up for the future of the aftermarket.” Ronning has contributed in several important ways over the past 20 months to justify this honor. He has acted as a vocal representative for aftermarket manufacturers in discussions with the U.S. Secretary of Commerce about supply chain and workforce challenges. He has provided valuable feedback on trade issues, dating back to the USMCA agreement and its favorable terms for the aftermarket, and then used his platform on the AASA board to encourage the concept of ports open 24/7. Bruce Ronning of DriV (second from left) received the 2021 AASA Member Advocacy Award. Most importantly, he and his company were not afraid to speak up on the importance of Right to Repair and maintaining a competitive market for consumer choice on where, and with what parts, vehicles are serviced. “I am humbled and grateful to be recognized by AASA with this award, as we at DRiV are always glad to work with Paul and the AASA/MEMA teams to do what we can to promote and ensure the future of our industry,” said Ronning. “I look forward to continuing our relationship and plan to do my part to ensure that the needs and issues affecting the aftermarket are taken seriously.” Catherine Boland, MEMA’s vice president of government affairs, Leigh Merino, MEMA’s vice president of legislative affairs, and McCarthytook the stage to officially name Ronning as the first-ever AASA Advocacy Champion. The post AASA Presents New Annual Advocacy And DEI Awards At AAPEX appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Designed to meet the versatility and adventure that Hyundai Venue and Kia Soul drivers demand, NRS Brakes recently released galvanized brake pads engineered for these smaller SUVs. NRS Brakes’ premium brake pads support the safety, adaptability and performance of both the 2021 Kia Soul and Hyundai Venue, according to the company. “Premium brake pads for both models include unparalleled friction to deliver superior performance, a patented NRS mechanical attachment and fully galvanized steel backing plates that prevent issues related to rust and corrosion that many other brake pads experience,” the company said in a news release. “In addition, durable brake pads from NRS Brakes require significantly fewer replacements, making them the most affordable option based on total cost of ownership over the life of the vehicle.” To view a complete listing of NRS galvanized brake pads and vehicle compatibility, visit https://nrsbrakes.com/. The post NRS Releases Brake Pads For 2020-2021 Kia Soul, Hyundai Venue appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

For U.S. Military Veterans returning to civilian life can be a major adjustment, fraught with challenges, including physical, psychological and financial burdens. Within the automotive aftermarket, many organizations recognize this and seek to provide support through various programs. Beyond this, there are a number of companies both within and outside the automotive aftermarket that recognize the unique and valuable skillsets that military veterans can offer in the civilian workforce thanks to their training, sense of loyalty and technical expertise, and seek to actively recruit these veterans for employment and franchise opportunities. One such company is Pep Boys. In fact, the company was actually founded by World War I veterans looking to start the next chapter of their lives. They ended up creating a business that has lasted a century. According to Pep Boys CEO Brian Kaner, “It’s important to us to continue to give generations of those who served the opportunity to write their own next chapter.” In addition to philanthropic initiatives, Pep Boys is a strategic partner of RecruitMilitary, the nation’s largest military-focused recruiting company. Pep Boys also supports a variety of internal workforce development initiatives, including “Race to 2026,” which recruits and supports the next generation of automotive technicians, including veterans, and is designed to help close America’s skills gap. “Once a team member is part of our service network, they can take advantage of ongoing training, apprenticeship and career development programs,” said Kaner. “As our service network continues to grow, hiring is a critical need, and veterans, reservists and active-duty spouses are highly desirable candidates. We have a number of leaders who are overseeing some of our best-performing stores and regions, and leading initiatives such as our advanced diagnostic and electric vehicle work who served our country prior to joining Pep Boys.” Kaner said those who serve bring a unique combination of both skills and values. “Depending on their role during their service, they bring applicable technical trade skills perhaps from working on military vehicles or with certain types of technology and systems. But, veterans and reservists also have a strong work ethic and outstanding integrity, and a shared commitment to a mission and accountability to each other, that comes from having served. These traits make them highly coveted and valued team members,” he noted. FRANCHISING OPPORTUNITIES Another area of significant opportunity within the automotive industry lies in the service and repair segment. A number of franchisors offer special incentive programs and resources specifically to support veterans. One of those is Moran Family of Brands, one of the nation’s leading automotive repair franchises under the brands Milex Complete Auto Care and Mr. Transmission, which counts 14 United States veterans among its 120 total franchisees. Moran franchise owners have been enlisted in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines branches of the military, as well as the National Guard. Moran is a longtime active member of VetFran, an initiative that grants a $5,000 franchise-fee discount, mentorship and training programs for any honorably discharged qualified veteran transitioning to civilian life. Experience in the military has proven to be a great fit for franchise ownership. Members of the military exhibit strong leadership and motivational skills, something that is important for business owners. Like the military, franchise ownership involves following proven systems and defined procedures. This means a veteran can enter a completely new field and be likely to succeed by following the franchisor’s proven business model and completing the training program. According to the International Franchise Association, although veterans make up only about 7% of the population, they account for 14% of all franchisees in the United States. In addition to helping provide franchise ownership opportunities for veterans, Moran also is actively involved in attracting veteran employees as service technicians at its stores. The franchise has developed a recruiting process that works with local veteran affairs offices in search of workers with experience in the truck pool, heavy-equipment repairs and aircraft repairs. These veterans often make excellent automotive service techs. As part of this process, Moran notifies veteran offices whenever a local shop is in need of adding a tech position at its location. Many of these veterans are younger and searching for opportunities shortly after returning from service. They often have the knowledge and technical skills for these service positions. The program has been mutually beneficial for both Moran’s individual shops and veterans looking to begin a successful career in auto repair. Currently, about 25% of Moran’s franchisees are military veterans. The company estimates that about 40% or more of its technicians are veterans, reserves or active-duty personnel. “We strive to keep people safe in their vehicles but, we understand that the military keeps us safe as a country. There’s no one we’d rather trust to employ in our shops than the one’s safeguarding our lives and our livelihood,” said Grant Maquet, Moran Family of Brands’ business development manager. “Veterans typically show the capacity for a strong work ethic, harness the ability to take any assigned task and hold the same core values that we do here at Moran Family of Brands.” SUPPORT FOR SPOUSES It is not only the veterans themselves who need support and resources when it comes to employment. Spouses of those in the military often need assistance as well. Currently, there are about 1 million military spouses in the global military community. It can be a challenge for military spouses to find and maintain employment with frequent permanent change-of-station moves. In the collision repair segment, Maaco is one of 45 new partners to join the U.S. Department of Defense Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) this year, which currently includes 544 employers in all. MSEP connects military spouses with hundreds of partner employers who commit to recruit, hire, promote and retain military spouses. Since its inception in 2011, MSEP employers have hired more than 200,000 military spouses. The MSEP continues to be a key element of the Joining Forces initiative to increase economic opportunity and mobility for military families. “Maaco has a longstanding history of giving back to active, reserve military members and veterans, so we are proud to add another layer of support through this remarkable program,” said Chris Dawson, president, Maaco. “We have several franchisees and employees within our Maaco family who have served, so we know military spouses have a unique set of diverse skills that bring incredible value to every business, no matter the industry.” The post Career Resources For Veterans In The Automotive Aftermarket appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

As soon as the Auto-Wares Group of Companies closes the books on its incredibly popular TechExpo event, the group responsible for planning the training event and expo starts the process all over again in the hopes of making it even better the next year. This intensive, year-long production is managed by a committee of about 20 Auto-Wares employees who focus on different crucial areas, such as sales, marketing, training and customer service, and meet every two weeks leading up to the event. At the heart of planning this popular annual event are Steve Helwig, director of training; John Sanford, vice president of business development; and Brittani McClain, director of customer service. And right now, they are busy getting ready for the 2022 TechExpo, which will be held Feb. 11-12, 2022, at the DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As one of the largest members of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Auto-Wares boasts some 200 company-owned retail store locations and 13 distribution centers. The outfit was founded in 1976 by Fred Bunting, Dick Collins and Wally Kocar out of a small facility in Grand Rapids, and, in 1978, became an Auto Value member of the Alliance. With operations that extend from Michigan to Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio, Auto-Wares draws more than 3,000 attendees to its TechExpo event every year. Now in its 23rd year, the popular event is a well-oiled machine. The last in-person event saw its usual attendance numbers with 3,200 registered attendees, comprised of 70% service dealers and 6% parts stores. The remaining attendees were exhibitors, students, Auto-Wares employees and other guests. To put it simply, this show is big, well-planned and fun. The crowd loves it. That’s why they keep coming back year after year. Auto-Wares draws more than 3,000 attendees to its TechExpo event every year. “This is the first big in-person event we’ve had since February 2020, just before the pandemic shut everything down,” said McClain. “What I’m hearing is that everybody just has this need or this want for an interaction between people, face-to-face. The auto parts industry is very unique in the sense that it’s heavily built upon relationship-building. And, I think that you can really feel it in this event – between the tradeshow floor, the networking that happens there, the relationships between our sales team and their customers, or the stores and our customers, and then the training classes. It’s empowering people from start to finish during the whole event to learn, and bring [that knowledge] back to their shops or to their stores and make network connections that will carry them through the next year until we do this again.” While everyone is eager to meet again face-to-face, even a global pandemic couldn’t slow Auto-Wares down in 2020. Last year, like many in the industry that hosted major in-person events, Auto-Wares had to quickly change gears to host the TechExpo as a virtual event. The success of the virtual event in 2020, hosted on the Cvent platform, led Auto-Wares to decide to host this year’s TechExpo as a hybrid event. For the 2022 event, Auto-Wares is offering both an in-person and a virtual option, for those customers in the Great Lakes region who couldn’t make the drive but still wanted to participate in training. “Our market footprint is the Great Lakes area, and it’s very hard for some of our Wisconsin and UP customers to come across the pond and get to Grand Rapids. So, with the success of our virtual event last year, we’ve struck a balance where we are going to have a hybrid offering,” said Helwig. “The live event is going to be held at the DeVos Center, but for some of our folks who can’t make it – maybe only the shop owner can make it, yet he has three techs that he would certainly like to train up – we’re having a virtual option for that too.” The virtual option will feature training presentation videos available on-demand, with the ability to connect with the presenters via email for any follow-up questions. “We’re kind of doing the best of both worlds and we’re looking forward to it,” said Helwig. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE According to the registration website for the 2022 TechExpo, www.avtechexpo.com, there will be 64 classes offered in a variety of disciplines, including light-duty, heavy-duty, diesel, electrical and auto body. In addition to technical training, repair shop owners and service writers will have the opportunity to improve skills in the areas of customer relations, shop management and personal growth. From presentations that cover topics ranging from the technical (think ADAS, drivability diagnostics, etc.) to the intangible, such as shop management and “winning over a difficult customer,” Helwig says the expo tries to be “all things to all people.” But it doesn’t stop there. Beyond the extensive training opportunities available at the show on Friday afternoon, there’s also a chance to network, connect with suppliers and just have a little fun, too. From 5-9 p.m. the tradeshow opens, featuring 200 different manufacturers and a whole lot of good food, said Helwig. “We’ve got one of the most impressive tradeshows anywhere,” Helwig said. “We’ve got 200 different manufacturers that are represented in our tradeshow. It gives us some time for our customers to make their way to the booths, to find out what’s new and exciting, talk directly with the manufacturer reps and get their perspective on different items that might help them. Whether they are a jobber, a technician or a service writer, we even have students from vo-tech schools and the high schools that have shop programs in attendance, as well. We have a very diverse audience that we cater to.” According to Sanford, attendees are hungry for solid content on new technologies coming into the aftermarket to ensure they are prepared to meet customers’ future needs. This also is a key reason why Auto-Wares places such a high premium on training and education. “Anything that is new and emerging can be scary. They need access to that so that they can understand it and then bring those customers to their businesses. And, we need that too, because the vehicle technology is evolving. So, it serves both of us well to stay current and as trained as possible,” Sanford said. “It’s just simply because a well-trained repair facility or parts store or counter person is going to be more capable and we want to help keep our customers relevant and give them all the tools they need to be as successful as possible. Because, if they’re successful, then we’re going to be,” he added. AWARD-WINNING WORK ETHIC The emphasis that Auto-Wares places on training and education goes well-beyond the annual TechExpo. It is deeply ingrained in the fabric of the company’s culture and is supported both internally and externally. This fact was recognized this past October, when the Auto Care Association named Auto-Wares as one of the recipients of its 2021 ACE (Auto Care Career and Education) Awards. The ACE awards recognize auto care companies dedicated to education, including investing in the growth of knowledge and skills within their organization and/or throughout the industry. Auto-Wares was honored with the Auto Care ACE Award in the Large company category for not only its work on the Tech Expo, but also its own internal employee training programs. In announcing the honor, Auto Care described Auto-Wares’ dedication to training and education as follows: Large company: Auto-Wares Group of Companies – Grand Rapids, Mich. Throughout a nearly five-decade history of expansion and auto parts success, Auto-Wares Group of Companies has consistently relied on employee training and education to power its growth. A career path program with clear steps for employee advancement has enabled Auto-Wares team members to advance steadily and understand steps needed to grow in their careers. Training and education include both internal and external opportunities, such as weekly live webinars, weekly on-demand video training, tech clinics and vendor training. Auto-Wares also utilizes mentors to help employees improve and advance. Moreover, Auto-Wares hosts a large training event each year called the Auto-Wares Tech Expo. This event brings together technicians, parts store owners and other automotive aftermarket professionals for education and networking. In 2021, the company pivoted to a virtual event, enabling even more industry professionals to engage in the training sessions, as well as made the content available on-demand post-event to maximize the training and educational efforts. When asked why they felt training and education was such an important facet of Auto-Wares’ company culture, Helwig and McClain each had something similar to say that really shows why the company earned the Auto Care accolade. “I think training and education has to become part of a business’s culture,” said Helwig. “You know, if you aren’t learning and growing, there’s only one direction for you to go, and it’s not pretty. At Auto-Wares, we’ve got internal and external customers and we try and elevate them or at least facilitate it so that everyone can grow to their own next level – whether that’s a tech, whether that’s a service writer, whether that’s a shop owner or whether it’s the delivery driver, whether it’s the counter person, or whether it’s the store manager or a sales professional. In the automotive aftermarket, there’s a zillion different paths you can go. You can go through the manufacturer path like I did, and then come through the distributor side. Or, if your interest is in HR or accounting or supply chain management, there’s opportunity galore for that. We actually think that having a career path can become a recruitment tool, and in this day and age that’s kind of important. “It was a wonderful award,” Helwig added. “And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my predecessor, Bob Joynt. Bob was instrumental for a few decades in laying the groundwork for our training and development processes and setting the culture in motion. It’s been easier for me to pick up the baton and run with it when you had a pro like Bob lay the groundwork. It has been a real team effort so the award needs to be spread out. It starts at the top with Fred and Todd and Murray, who insist that training and development can give us a competitive advantage and when we make that a part of our culture, it can create a better environment, a more fun place to work in, and when everybody’s growing, it’s a good deal.” McClain said when looking for an opportunity to grow at Auto-Wares, she has never heard the word “no.” “One of the things that I appreciate from our leadership is they look to the individuals and say, ‘What do you want to grow in?’ And I’ve never once been told ‘no’ to a training opportunity or going to an event in the industry. We’re all encouraged to find the things we’re passionate about and things that we want to learn and grow upon. I know that doesn’t happen everywhere, but it’s something that I’m very thankful for. If I can find a training [opportunity] it’s always met with a ‘yes,’” she said. “And then, afterward, we are asked, what did we learn, giving me the platform to then share what I learned with other people. So, we can all benefit from a training, especially for those who maybe didn’t have the time to attend.” “It’s very important that we not only are learning internally and growing internally, but that we encourage others to do the same. Steve’s really made an effort to bring training, whether it’s virtual or in-person, at everyone’s fingertips. And, we’re trying to do the same for our employees as well. The thing about TechExpo is it is very customer-focused, but we do bring in members from all of our stores, and our sales team, and encourage them to attend classes as well, because we not only want it to be about relationship-building for them, but we want them to have the opportunity to better themselves and make themselves a better asset to their customers.” The post Auto-Wares: Learning To Grow appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

It is one of the greatest “Made in Germany” success stories: The global automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler is celebrating its 75th anniversary on Nov. 30. Dr. Wilhelm Schaeffler and his brother, Dr.-Ing. E.h. Georg Schaeffler, laid the foundation for today’s company when they founded Industrie GmbH in Herzogenaurach in 1946. This marked the starting point of a company that today employs more than 83,900 employees at around 200 locations in more than 50 countries. Three originally independent companies – INA, LuK and, FAG – grew together to form a global technology leader with the DNA of a family business. Accordingly, Schaeffler is celebrating 75 years of progress, technological innovation and economic success with a virtual anniversary ceremony for all its employees as well as selected industry and government guests. From 1950 onward, the company’s rapid rise was made possible by the cage-guided needle-roller bearing, a brilliant invention by Dr.-Ing. E.h. Georg Schaeffler, which revolutionized motion and mobility in the automotive and industrial sectors, according to the company. This invention laid the foundation for the company’s continuing global success. In 1965, the Schaeffler brothers decided to invest in LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH in Bühl (Baden), where the Automotive Technologies division is now based. The company became a technological leader with innovative products such as the diaphragm spring clutch, dual-mass flywheel as well as a variety of engine components. Since 1999, LuK has been a fully owned entity of Schaeffler. In 2001, Schaeffler took over FAG Kugelfischer Georg Schäfer AG in Schweinfurt, making Schaeffler the world’s second-largest manufacturer of rolling bearings. The successful IPO of Schaeffler AG followed in 2015. Today, the three product brands INA, LuK and FAG are united under the Schaeffler corporate brand. “Schaeffler’s pioneering spirit has always been crucial to the success of the company,” explained Georg F. W. Schaeffler, family shareholder and chairman of the supervisory board of Schaeffler AG. “Even throughout its challenging phases, the company has demonstrated a high degree of resilience and a constant willingness to view profound change as an opportunity. As shareholders, we are particularly aware that this success, spanning several decades, is primarily driven by our committed employees around the globe, as well as our customers and suppliers.” Researching the Company’s History To mark the company’s anniversary, the Schaeffler family arranged for their history, which is inextricably linked to the company’s history, to be systematically researched. To that end, the family successfully engaged the services of renowned historian Prof. Dr. Gregor Schöllgen. As part of the anniversary celebrations, Schaeffler is presenting the results of the research, which also covers the period prior to the company’s founding in 1946, on a newly designed website that showcases not only the history, but also the people and the technological innovations they represent. The comprehensive description and analysis entitled “Schaeffler. A biography of a family and their company” by Prof. Dr. Schöllgen will be released by the publishing house Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt in early December. “Schaeffler has always demonstrated an extraordinary capacity for innovation and a high level of social responsibility,” Schöllgen said. “The curiosity and future-oriented focus that drove the two founders still remain the key strengths of this traditional family company today.” The Schaeffler Foundation To mark Schaeffler’s 75th anniversary, Schaeffler AG and IHO Holding are establishing the Schaeffler Foundation in an effort to emphasize the social responsibility of the Schaeffler Group and its family shareholders. The Schaeffler Foundation will receive an initial foundation capital of 3 million euros, which will be established in equal parts by Schaeffler AG and IHO Holding. This capital will be increased each year through additional donations, in combination with the simultaneous incorporation of existing activities, such as the Schaeffler FAG Foundation. The foundation will be active worldwide and concentrate primarily on three focus areas: 1. Climate and environmental protection 2. Research and science 3. Education, qualification and equal opportunity With its Roadmap 2025, the Schaeffler Group has positioned itself strategically with a view to the future. It consistently focuses the company, with its three divisions, on transformation in 10 customer sectors in order to remain the preferred technology partner for its customers in the future. Sustainability and digitalization are at the center, supported by five focus areas around topics such as CO2-efficient drives and renewable energies. “As long as there is motion, there will be Schaeffler,” said Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG. “At Schaeffler, innovation, quality, an understanding of systems, and manufacturing excellence combine to form a common and strength. With this strength and the DNA of the family-owned company, we are optimally equipped for the future.” In 1950, Dr.-Ing. E.h. Georg Schaeffler applied for a patent for his idea: In the needle-roller and cage assembly, the rolling elements are guided with parallel axes.In the course of 1950, the step from prototype to rolling bearing ready for series production was successfully taken. Needle-roller bearings are used in the automotive sector, but also in general mechanical engineering and gearbox construction. In electric mobility, needle-roller bearings are indispensable for the function of numerous electrified transmissions. The post Schaeffler Group Celebrates 75th Anniversary appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Arnott, a Merritt Island, Florida-based manufacturer of air-suspension products for passenger vehicles, announced that it has acquired JRi Shocks. “The acquisition enables Arnott to expand its industry-leading air-suspension product portfolio within the SEMA performance market to reach additional customers including street cars, Jeep vehicles, trucks, motorcycles and UTVs,” Arnott said in a news release. “JRi Shocks will continue to serve its existing markets and customers, but now will be better-positioned to grow those markets even further while also expanding into new ones.” Customers should see no change in the day-to-day operations of the business, Arnott added. “Arnott has exceptional engineering capabilities and has a reputation for producing high-performance products,” said Joe Santangelo, CEO of Arnott. “AccuAir, added to the Arnott portfolio last year, provides the leading air-suspension management system on the market today. Bringing JRi Shocks into the fold enables Arnott to offer the best aftermarket replacement air suspension, the leading air-suspension management system as well as some of the best performance shocks in the world.” JRi Shocks is well-known for its shock-absorber technology, which has a history of championship performance in various forms of motorsports. Founded in 2007 by Jeff Ryan, the company was co-owned by Ryan, Det Cullum and NASCAR Hall of Fame crew chief and team owner Ray Evernham at the time of the acquisition. Ryan will stay on to continue managing all engineering activities for the company, while Cullum and Evernham will remain involved with the company in advisory roles. “The last few years we have focused on expanding our world class racing products, allowing more enthusiasts to experience JRi Shocks,” said Ryan, founder of JRi Shocks. “It was a natural progression of our expertise and now we will be able to take it even further under the Arnott umbrella.” “After three years of owning JRi, we arrived at a point where our growth potential was being held back by the resources we had at hand. We needed a partner to take the company to the next level,” said Evernham. “Arnott’s enthusiasm for what JRi stands for and its track record of leading companies to extraordinary growth made Arnott the perfect fit to become that partner. I look forward to continuing to support the company’s growth.” For more information on Arnott’s extensive line of affordable, high-quality air-suspension products for more than 20 vehicle makes as well as motorcycle applications, visit www.arnottindustries.com. The post Arnott Acquires JRi Shocks appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Vast-Auto Distribution, a subsidiary of Groupe Del Vasto, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of Canadian Auto Parts Suppliers (C.A.P.S.). The parties expect the transaction to close on Nov. 30, subject to customary closing conditions. Vast-Auto Distribution is a well-established distributor of automotive parts in Eastern Canada, and a shareholder of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance. Over the course of its 22 years, Canadian Auto Parts Suppliers has established itself as a dominant parts wholesaler and retailer in Canada’s capital city of Ottawa. Founded in 1999 by Charles “Chuck” Berthiaume, C.A.P.S. has been committed to servicing both professional installers and do-it-yourself customers through a wide product assortment and an exceptionally qualified staff of auto parts specialists. “I am delighted to have chosen to sell my business to Vast-Auto Distribution, which has clearly established itself as a leading Canadian distributor within the automotive aftermarket,” Berthiaume said. “With a view to the sustainability of the business, and after working in the automotive sector for most of my career, the decision to sell was not easy to take, but today, I know that this choice is the best for the future of C.A.P.S. and our loyal customers and employees.” The completion of this transaction plays a pivotal role for Vast-Auto Distribution in its continued market share expansion strategy in Eastern Canada. “We are thrilled to welcome C.A.P.S. and all 60 of its team members and its entire customer base to Groupe Del Vasto,” said Mauro Cifelli, president and CEO of Groupe Del Vasto. “We are confident that our culture and our commitment to taking care of our customers and employees, will fit hand in glove with Canadian Auto Parts Suppliers longtime way of doing business. Moreover, we are extremely pleased to announce that Ghazi Mankal, a seasoned aftermarket business professional who has been with C.A.P.S. since the early beginning, will continue in his role as general manager and business associate, which will allow for a smooth transition.” This transaction will position C.A.P.S. to enhance its services and operational effectiveness through access to Vast-Auto’s robust supply chain, including its Ottawa distribution center, and leverage of its technology platforms. The post Vast-Auto Acquires Canadian Auto Parts Suppliers appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Admittedly, windshield wipers aren’t the most glamorous component on a vehicle. For many drivers, they’re merely an afterthought – until they can barely see out their windshield. With winter weather approaching, however, this is an ideal time to talk to your customers about replacing their worn-out wiper blades before they become a serious safety hazard. Signs of Wear Most manufacturers recommend replacing wiper blades every six to 12 months. That’s all well and good, but the reality is that wipers are among the most overlooked maintenance items on a vehicle. If the rubber blade hasn’t completely disintegrated, chances are some of your customers will insist on keeping them until there’s a total failure. There’s an even greater chance your customers don’t even know when their wipers need to be replaced because they don’t know what to look for on the blade. With the seasons changing, now is a great time to encourage your customers to inspect their wiper blades for signs of wear. Studies show that winter and summer can be especially harsh on wiper blades. With rain, snow and sleet pelting our windshields as we approach the end of the year, visibility behind the wheel is more likely to be top of mind for many drivers who otherwise ignore their wipers. According to ANCO (part of the First Brands Group), motorists should look for these signs of wear. Some might be discoverable by physically examining the blades, while other problems will be more apparent when the windshield wipers are in use. Streaking/smearing Worn and dirty wiper blades are a major cause of streaking. Skipping/chattering If wiper blades go unused for a long period of time, they can develop a curvature that causes them to not make proper contact with the windshield. This can result in a skipping or chattering sound when they’re in use. Splitting Cold weather and freezing temperatures make the rubber hard and brittle, which can result in wiper blades splitting. Squeaking If there’s a buildup of dust, dirt or other debris on the windshield glass, the wipers won’t make a smooth pass and can make a squeaking sound. “The remedies for fixing streaking/smearing, squeaking and skipping/chattering windshield wiper blades are the same: Keep your windshield clean and free of dirt, dust and debris,” ANCO explains on its website. “Avoid operating your wipers on a dry windshield. If the windshield isn’t wet enough when you run the wiper blades, it can cause skipping that creates squeaky wipers. Clean your wiper blades with washer solvent or water to help eliminate streaks and smears.” If these remedies don’t address the problem, it’s probably time for new wiper blades. The same goes for wiper blades that are starting to split. The split will only get worse and will lead to poor wiping performance when it matters most – while driving in rain, snow or ice. The biggest mistake most vehicle owners make is replacing only one wiper (the bad one) instead of the pair. They think they’re saving money, but if one side is worn out, the other side isn’t far behind. Better to replace them both at the same time because both blades are needed to keep the entire windshield clear. Also, if they drive an SUV, minivan or hatchback, it’s a good idea to replace the wiper blade on the rear window while they’re at it. Winter Survival Tips ANCO offers a number of tips for keeping wiper blades in working order during the winter months. For example, some motorists who don’t have a garage will pull the blades up and away from the windshield when their vehicle is parked outside overnight. The idea is to prevent ice from building up on the blades and preventing the blades from sticking to the windshield. However, some people argue that this practice causes unnecessary wear and tear on the springs in the wiper arm. A less controversial suggestion is to make sure the wipers are turned off when parking the vehicle. This way, when the vehicle starts up, the wipers won’t automatically start operating, which can potentially damage the wipers if the windshield is coated with snow and ice. For motorists who are really passionate about protecting their wiper blades, they can cover them with tube socks when not in use, or wipe the blades with rubbing alcohol to prevent them from freezing to the windshield. And for goodness sake, use an ice scraper – not the windshield wipers – to clear ice and snow from the windshield. Sitting in the vehicle with the defroster on max while the wipers struggle to break through a thick layer of snow and/or ice is a recipe for damaging the wiper blades. The post Windshield Wipers: Window Of Opportunity appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

If you were buying a new vehicle, what would you want the engine to have: a timing belt or a timing chain? You may have an opinion, you may not. Either way, let’s compare the two; then you can decide. The Chain Gang For many years, timing chains were the go-to for engine design. Generally speaking, they were dependable and didn’t require any specific maintenance. They were lubricated by the engine oil, so if you changed it on a regular basis, the timing chain would hold up well. Or would they? A lot of people still say, “They don’t build them like they used to.” This is true, and coming from someone who is an old-car enthusiast, I’ll defend a level of workmanship that we don’t see in today’s vehicle. But the statement, while true, doesn’t always mean they built them better. In the case of timing chains, they sometimes wore quicker than a lot of people realized. What happened when they did? On an old car, nothing right away. At least nothing of which the owner was aware. A timing chain, just like a belt, is there for one reason: to connect the crankshaft to the camshaft at exact points so the valves open and close at the correct time for engine operation. A traditional, old-school timing chain was tight upon installation, and the overall timing set consisted of a crankshaft gear, a camshaft gear and a chain. There was no adjustment or no tensioner. When the chain or the drive gears began to wear, engine performance would suffer, but it would degrade slowly, and most vehicle owners had no idea there was a problem. They wouldn’t know at all until they started to get a hard-start or no-start symptom. And why? There was no crank sensor or cam sensor, and no computer to translate the signals into a crank/cam correlation diagnostic trouble code (DTC). So, we just drove the cars until they wouldn’t drive any more. Early engine design was split between gears or chains, but chains ultimately became more popular because they took up less space and ran quieter, and by the early ‘80s, the majority of cars produced had timing chains. An evolutionary change of timing-chain design included nylon-tooth cam gears. They ran quieter than a traditional steel gear, but they wore out a lot quicker and created problems long before vehicle owners expected, which didn’t do much for their reputation. The tried-and-true timing chain was simple and generally dependable, but times were changing. Buckle Your Belt As the ‘80s rolled on, electronics, emission controls and technology were on solid cruise control and like flipping a switch, timing belts were suddenly in the picture. Although timing-belt-driven overhead camshaft engines weren’t new by any means, the value of the design began to be recognized and auto manufacturers started to change over to this concept. The camshaft was now located on the cylinder head, which eliminated push rods and, on some designs, the rocker arms were eliminated as well, saving weight, lowering cost, reducing valvetrain inertia and making multi-valve designs possible. The easiest way to drive the camshaft was via a timing belt. Since timing chains suffered from inherent gear wear and stretching, engineers decided that belts were the way to go. They were quieter and lighter than a chain and less expensive to manufacture. The tensioning systems were simple, and the belts remained tight for a long time without wearing the cam or crank gear. Seemingly, all was good, but even with the advantages of a timing belt, they required replacement at specific intervals, and the one disadvantage that became known quickly was that if not replaced, they would break with no warning. Simple tensioning systems required adjustment from time to time, and oil leaks also were a problem with timing belts, as they would degrade the rubber quickly and lead to a broken belt. A broken belt could mean a very expensive repair on interference engines. Belt quality and tensioner design improved quickly, eliminating many of the early timing belt troubles, and by the mid- to late-‘90s, timing belts were used on the majority of automobile engines. Belt-service intervals became longer, and consumers were getting used to this being a part of normal maintenance. But you still cannot ignore the replacement interval, and was it possible times were changing again? The Old Ball and Chain As we said “Happy New Year” to a whole new century, engine technology was a freight train out of control. Materials and manufacturing were better, RPMs were higher, turbochargers were boosting like never before and horsepower wars like we hadn’t seen since the ‘60s were heating up again. Smaller engines were producing more power than ever, and variable valve timing was pushing engine performance to the limit. Just like that, engine design required something that was narrower, more durable and more dependable than a timing belt, and consumers no longer wanted the associated maintenance. Hello chains. As of the last decade, timing chains have risen back to the top. Design is far different than that of old, with modern chains traveling around awkward paths of sprockets, hydraulic tensioners and chain guides, offering a high level of dependability and performance. But they couldn’t do it without one critical thing on their side: lubricant technology. A primary reason for timing-chain wear always has been related to lack of oil changes, lower-quality oil, and poor or non-existent positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) systems, which wreaks havoc on engine oil. Modern engine oil is not only far superior than it was just a few decades ago, but PCV technology also is eliminating the majority of blow-by-related contaminants and moisture from building up, resulting in cleaner oil and better lubrication throughout the engine. Timing chains and variable valve timing systems are dependent on clean, healthy lubrication and now they have it, but then again, does everyone change oil as often as they should? Talk to the Techs Timing belts generally are easier to service. This is primarily because they’re located on the outside of the engine and run dry, with no lubrication. When replacing a belt, there’s less cleanup and no time required to reseal engine covers. On the other hand, the engine water pump is frequently driven by the timing belt, so when you replace it, it’s a good practice to replace the pump, as well as any tensioners or rollers. Timing belts came into prominence along with the inline four-cylinder engine. What this brought was more than just cam/crank timing, but also balance shafts and intermediate shafts that often drove distributors and oil pumps. These weren’t hard to work with, but had to be timed correctly during belt replacement. As the timing belt migrated to V-configuration engines, it became a lot longer with additional rollers and a more difficult installation, plus some components such as thermostats were all of a sudden underneath. Some things got better, some got worse. Inspection is an advantage with a timing belt; it’s usually just a couple of bolts and you’re looking right at it. One problem, and a challenge especially on a second-owner vehicle: If the mileage is over that of recommended timing-belt replacement and the owner doesn’t know if it was done, replacement is always recommended. Many belts can look great on the outside but strip the teeth off a day later. The only way to inspect them closely enough to really look at the integrity of the teeth can be to remove them. And then, does it make sense to put the old one back on, and is there a technician who would want to take that gamble? One solution to this is the bright yellow replacement decal that’s included in almost every timing-belt kit, for a technician to fill out and affix under the hood. If only they got used more often. Timing chains, as good as they have become, are not without faults. They can be a bear to inspect and replace, mainly because they’re located inside the engine so they can be lubricated by the engine oil. There’s a lot more cleaning to do and usually a seal or two that needs replaced. Just as with belts, there’s often a water pump that’s driven by the chain that should be replaced. While the chains are more durable and dependable, if oil changes aren’t religious, the guides have a tendency to wear out really quickly. Most guides are steel with some type of nylon or plastic that the chain rides along. Remember the nylon-tooth cam gears? These guides do the same thing and beyond a certain point in wear, the tensioner can no longer take up the slack in the chain. This often leads to a rattling noise and a “Check Engine” light. Most engines still run perfectly fine at this point, with the most common complaint a “Check Engine” light and a cam/crank correlation DTC. Timing-chain replacement is often very expensive due to labor time, but, then again, so is engine repair when a timing belt breaks. They both require special tools at times, so there’s no winner on that argument. And, one more thing: Did we mention the latest technology of belt-in-oil drive systems? Here we go again. So, do you have a preference, or do you agree with my conclusion? The post Timing Belts vs. Timing Chains appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Continental received the award for Best New Technology Product during AAPEX 2021 for its new Autodiagnos Drive remote vehicle-data solution. The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) presented the award during a special ceremony at the start of the show. Autodiagnos Drive is designed to deliver advanced diagnostic information to service providers, fleet managers and repair facilities so they can maximize theirdata-driven services. The easily installed, plug-and-play technology increases productivity, reduces downtime and enhances customer service by keeping customers continuously aware of the vehicle’s condition via live access to extended vehicle diagnostic data, according to the company. Continental Autodiagnos Drive was part of the AAPEX 2021 New Product Showcase, which debuted the industry’s newest products and allowed the products to be judged electronically by pre-registered buyers who viewed the products in the AAPEX Product Plus magazine. Entries with the most votes were named Best New Product in each of eight categories. In addition to New Technology, the other categories included: Tools & Equipment; Safety; Hard Parts; Chemicals, Lubricants & Filters; Automotive Lighting; and Appearance Chemicals & Car Care. The award was accepted by Howard Laster, executive director and general manager, Continental Automotive Systems, and Christopher Bahlman, head of Diagnostics and Services, Continental Commercial Vehicles and Services. “We are extremely delighted to be the recipient of this prestigious award,” Bahlman said. “We are proud of our entire team’s efforts to make Autodiagnos Drive a reality and help our customers increase productivity, reduce downtime, enhance customer service, while gaining better insights into the condition of the vehicles they service or manage. Every member of the Diagnostics and Services team is excited about the recognition they have received for their hard work and dedication.” In addition to the new Autodiagnos Drive, Continental’s Diagnostics and Services group also features two major diagnostic tool programs: Continental Autodiagnos PRO automotive diagnostic system; and Continental Autodiagnos TPMS tools. Both programs are designed to meet the needs of aftermarket service professionals by streamlining vehicle data that technicians can use to analyze, diagnose and repair vehicles faster and better, according to the company. For more information, visit autodiagnosdrive.com or contact [email protected]. The post Autodiagnos Drive Named Best New Tech Product At AAPEX appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Counterman will not be distributing its e-newsletter scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 25, in observance of Thanksgiving Day. Instead, Counterman will send the e-newsletter on Friday, Nov. 26. The staff of Counterman wishes you and your loved ones a wonderful Thanksgiving! The post Counterman On Holiday appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article

Returning from the first in-person AAPEX since 2019, “AMN Drivetime” host Bill Babcox sits down with Vange Proimos, CEO of AP Emissions, to talk about his journey from technician and shop owner to leading a privately owned, family-run business. A well-known industry advocate for many years, it was Proimos’ experience as a technician and shop owner that has informed much of his success as business owner as well. Right out of high school, Proimos and his brothers started in the gas station business, “when Jimmy Carter was president and the gas shortages were in effect. We really didn’t sell a lot of gas, so we got into auto repair and 24-hour towing, doing that for many years,” he said. Eventually Vange and his brothers turned the business into a specialty muffler shop, and over a 10-year period grew the business to about 21 shops. After that, EPA laws were created for aftermarket converters and according to Proimos, “no one was really doing a good job at it from the installer’s point of view.” “There were about 50 different kits to make it fit and the installer really wanted a direct fit converter.” So Proimos and his brothers began building catalytic converters, under the brand name CATCO. From there, the Proimos brothers grew the catalytic-converter business. They sold their muffler shops to their employees, and in 1998 purchased the aftermarket division of AP Emissions, in Goldsboro, North Carolina. In 2014, his brothers wanted to retire, but Vange stayed on board and sold the business to a private equity (PE) firm, which consolidated AP with a brake business. A number of factors – including import tax duties and exploding precious metal costs – led the PE firm to sell the company and Proimos bought his beloved family business back. That was in September of 2020. “It feels really good,” he said. “The people have really come out and helped us in every aspect.” “Our whole goal is to understand what our customers want and need and how to get to their wants and needs,” he said. “And by doing that, our company becomes successful because they buy more products, and we make more products and our people work harder. That’s how we look at it.” The post ‘AMN Drivetime’: Creating Parts That Customers Need appeared first on Counterman Magazine. View the full article