-
Welcome to Auto Parts Forum
Whether you are a veteran automotive parts guru or just someone looking for some quick auto parts advice, register today and start a new topic in our forum. Registration is free and you can even sign up with social network platforms such as Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.
Moe Ali Named 2024 Counter Professional of The Year
-
Similar Topics
-
By Counterman
Each year, Auto-Wares Group of Companies selects one top technician from its Certified Service Center Network. This individual represents the group at the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance’s Technician of the Year competition. Casey O’Sullivan, shop foreman at Interstate Auto Care, received this year’s title as Auto-Wares Group of Companies’ technician of the year.
Honoring Experience and Team Dedication
“Having had Casey on our team for over 25 years, I speak for the rest of my team in congratulating Casey and the other tech of the year nominees for this well-deserved nomination,” said Bill Nalu, owner of Interstate Auto Care. “Like every year, the field of competition promises to be challenging, but the fun and camaraderie that they will share during this event will be something they will never forget.”
Prize Package and National Alliance Technician of the Year Competition
O’Sullivan was honored with a prize package including a gift card, a Blackstone grill and a custom winner plaque. Casey will represent Auto-Wares Group of Companies at the National Alliance Technician of the Year competition, July 7-10, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan – The Motor City. During the competition, the finalists from the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance will take a written test to determine who will take home the title of Auto Value & Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year.
Dedication to Learning Sets O’Sullivan Apart
O’Sullivan earned the
link hidden, please login to viewtitle by excelling among many strong applicants. Auto-Wares praised his training log, which reflects a deep commitment to growth. Casey is an ASE Master Technician. He began working in the field at just 18 years old and now leads through experience and dedication. He also attends industry events such as Tech Expo to stay current with new developments. Leadership Recognizes Commitment and Skill
“I couldn’t be happier for Casey. His dedication to his craft is on another level. I’ve known Casey for about 18 years, and one thing that he has never stopped doing is learning,” said Michael Hellenberg, sales manager for Auto-Wares. “I am very proud of Casey for his accomplishments in the business and look forward to him representing Auto-Wares in the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year program.”
Program Recognizes Top Technicians Nationwide
The purpose of the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year is to honor and award the professional technicians in the automotive aftermarket service and repair industry. The program recognizes the top professional automotive technicians across North America. Nominees were evaluated on technical skill, diagnostic expertise and training record.
“Casey represents the best of the aftermarket — skill, professionalism, and pride in the work,” said Brian Burkett, director of sales at Auto-Wares. “We are proud to recognize him as our Technician of the Year.”
For more information about the program, visit
link hidden, please login to view. The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view -
By Counterman
Niterra North America will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its Sissonville, West Virginia, campus on May 9, 2025. The celebration also marks the grand opening of the Niterra Distribution Center, a major expansion to the site. The company said the milestone represents three decades of growth, innovation, and support for the West Virginia community.
link hidden, please login to viewsaid the new facility adds 75,000 square feet to the Sissonville campus and creates approximately 30 new jobs. Sustainability and Efficiency Define Niterra Distribution Center
According to the company, the Niterra Distribution Center features cutting-edge technology and eco-conscious design. Automated storage and retrieval systems improve inventory accuracy and operational efficiency. Energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems help reduce environmental impact and cut operational costs. Enhanced security systems safeguard products and personnel at every stage of the distribution process. Expandable capacity allows the company to scale as customer demand increases,
link hidden, please login to view said. Commitment to Community and Long-Term Growth
“We are incredibly proud to reach this 30-year milestone,” said Michael Schwab, president and CEO of Niterra North America, Inc. “Our success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees, the loyalty of our customers, and the support of the Sissonville community. The opening of our new distribution center is a significant step forward in our journey, expanding operational capacity and improving logistics efficiency. We look forward to many more years of success.”
The grand opening event will be at the Sissonville campus on May 9, starting at 11 a.m. It will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a tour of the new facility.
The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view -
By Counterman
March 31, 2025, marked a milestone in engine oil development—the first license date for the
link hidden, please login to view. While that might sound like just another specification in a long line of upgrades, for professional parts counter pros selling to independent repair shops, it’s a moment that carries real-world impact. Understanding what’s new—and how to help shop owners explain it to their customers—could be the difference between a routine oil sale and a value-driven recommendation. First, What Is GF-7?
GF-7 builds on the progress of the GF-6 specification introduced in 2020. Like its predecessor, GF-7 is split into two categories: GF-7A for most modern gasoline engines and GF-7B for low-viscosity formulations like 0W-16, commonly used in vehicles from Japanese OEMs like Toyota. The key takeaway? GF-7 oils are fully backward compatible. If a customer’s vehicle previously called for GF-6, GF-5, or even GF-4, a GF-7A product can safely be used. For 0W-16 applications, GF-7B covers those needs—just make sure the shop isn’t using a 0W-16 oil in an engine not designed for it.
“When they developed the GF categories almost 30-plus years ago, the idea was that it’s an evergreen category, so they’re all backward compatible,” Dr. Michael Warholic, global technology director,
link hidden, please login to view. “The caveat is that GF-7B category. Some engines don’t like thin oil because they’re just not made to operate that way. You have to be careful about misapplication. “The OEMs identified that and developed a shield icon with 0W-16 label to make it easy to identify it versus 0W-20 or heavier oil,” he said.
How to Identify GF-7 on the Shelf
Paying attention to the API designation and symbols on the bottle is key. Counter pros should be looking for the API “donut” and the Starburst or Shield symbols:
• The Starburst still signals general GF-category oils (GF-7A).
• A Shield symbol identifies 0W-16 oils under the GF-7B track.
• Look for API donut to know it’s GF-7.
“It boils down to: if you see the Starburst, it’s a qualified GF oil. If you see the donut on the back, it has the API credentials on it,” Warholic explained.
There’s a one-year transition period where GF-6 oils will still be in circulation, but by March 2026, GF-7 will be the standard.
“Model Year 2026 is when we expect the OEMs will start to notice GF-7 oils in the owner’s manual,” added Karl Kocher, director of light duty product strategy, Valvoline.
Why Should Your Shop Customers Care?
Not all oils are created equal, and consumers are becoming more selective. GF-7 brings improvements in durability, fuel economy, wear protection and emissions performance. This includes:
• Deposit control: GF-7 increases limits on piston cleanliness to limit deposits, helping prevent buildup that can lead to costly repairs like ring sticking.
• Wear resistance: Chain wear limits are tighter to protect timing systems and avoid check-engine lights.
• Cold start protection: Improved low-temp viscosity performance means oil flows better when the engine is most vulnerable—at startup.
• LSPI protection over time: GF-7 includes a new test for aged oil’s ability to resist Low-Speed Pre-Ignition, protecting direct-injected turbo engines long after the oil change.
• Ash limit: For the first time, GF-7 introduces an ash cap to help reduce emissions—a nod to the increasing regulatory pressure on internal combustion engines.
Selling the Upgrade
In addition to standard GF-7 products, some oil suppliers are offering “above and beyond” formulations. Valvoline’s Restore & Protect, for example, is a fully synthetic motor oil that aims at both older, high-mileage vehicles (restore) and new vehicles (protect). While the oil sports a proprietary formulation, Valvoline has noted two proprietary technologies–Active Clean, which removes deposits, and Liqui-Shield, which prevents deposit formation.
“The active technology behind the Restore and Protect products is the same in our GF-6 and our GF-7 products,” Warholic confirmed. “For GF-7, it’s built on a slightly different platform to meet the requirements. The Restore and Protect technology is above and beyond even the deposit performance required for GF-7. It exceeds that performance and does something that no other oil does or that’s actually required by GF-7. It is our own proprietary technology.”
That’s especially valuable in older engines that were exposed to less advanced oils under earlier standards like GF-4 or GF-5. With Restore and Protect, your shop customers can offer a tiered service—a standard GF-7 oil for maintenance, or R&P for vehicles showing signs of engine wear or for customers wanting the best protection available.
Bottom Line for Counter Pros
• Understand the labeling: Starburst = GF-7A; Shield = GF-7B; look for API SQ on the donut.
• Ask about the vehicle: Year, model, and what oil is currently being used.
• Explain backward compatibility: GF-7 oils replace earlier categories in most cases.
• Be proactive: As model year 2026 approaches, shops will need help identifying the right oils—GF-7A or GF-7B—and transitioning their inventory.
GF-7 isn’t just a new acronym—it’s the new baseline. The counter pros who get ahead of it now will be the ones their shop customers rely on tomorrow.
The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view -
By Counterman
Automotive Parts Associates (APA) congratulates Dennis Daniel, location manager at Factory Motor Parts (FMP) in Dickson, Tennessee, for winning Third Grand Prize in WIX’s 85th Anniversary Sweepstakes.
A news release from
link hidden, please login to view explained that FMP, a valued APA shareholder and supplier partner, has been a long-standing supporter of WIX, an APA supplier partner known for its high-quality filtration products. APA said that Dennis, who has been with FMP since 2023 and has worked in the automotive industry since 1975, was shocked when he learned he had won. “I couldn’t believe it,” Dennis shared. “I went home and surprised my wife with the news — I’ve never won anything like this before!”
As part of his prize, Dennis received a brand-new Polaris Sportsman Touring 570 ATV. Having previously owned used 4-wheelers, he’s especially excited to enjoy his new ride with his son and grandkids, APA added.
“I really appreciate WIX,” Dennis said. “They’ve always been good to us, and I’m grateful for this incredible prize.”
“Factory Motor Parts is thrilled one of our dedicated team members has won this fantastic prize! WIX has been an invaluable partner to FMP, and we truly appreciate their programs and promotions that support and celebrate our employees,” said Dave Schumacher, director of marketing for FMP.
link hidden, please login to view said it “congratulates Dennis on this exciting win, Factory Motor Parts on one of their team members winning, and WIX on their 85th anniversary!” The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view -
-
By Counterman
Since its inception in 2011, the NAPA Partnership Event (formerly known as the NAPA Vendor Summit) has recognized outstanding suppliers through its Supplier Awards Ceremony. NAPA said the event provides an opportunity to honor the exceptional contributions of NAPA’s valued supplier partners—those who champion innovation, quality and excellence in everything they do.
link hidden, please login to viewadded that the Spirit of NAPA award, in particular, has a rich history and is awarded to a trusted supplier that embodies NAPA’s values. This year’s Spirit of NAPA award winner, Dorman, stood out for its dedication to innovation, commitment to quality and lasting impact on the industry. Below is the complete list of winners:
Innovation Award: Milwaukee Tool Quality Award: East Penn Manufacturing Cataloging Award: Old World Industries Sales Award: TERREPOWER Service Award: Weitron Indirect Supplier Award: Pricefx Spirit of NAPA Award: Dorman Partnership Award: Neal Williams The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view
-
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.