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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view has recognized Truck-Lite and ECCO as its latest suppliers to earn the VIPAR Heavy Duty Strategic Partner (VSP) designation. The two companies, both part of Clarience Technologies, join a group of suppliers that demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting the organization’s distributors, fleets and strategic initiatives across the heavy-duty aftermarket. “Truck-Lite and ECCO bring exceptional value to our distributor network through their commitment to innovation, safety, and service,” said Larry Griffin, vice president of program management for VIPAR Heavy Duty. “Their strong support of fleets, investment in data quality, and product offerings that extend across key international markets align closely with our strategic priorities. We are pleased to welcome them as Strategic Partners.”
Designation Criteria and Program Support
Truck-Lite and ECCO earned the designation by meeting key criteria established by
link hidden, please login to view, including active support of fleets through the organization’s National Accounts Program. The companies also contributed product content to PARTSPHERE PIM®, VIPAR Heavy Duty’s product information management system, and delivered comprehensive product programs that serve both VIPAR Heavy Duty and Power Heavy Duty distributors. “We are honored that Truck-Lite and ECCO have been recognized as VIPAR Heavy Duty Strategic Partners,” said Brian Olsen, executive vice president and president, Visibility Solutions, at Clarience Technologies. “This designation reflects our shared commitment to supporting distributors and fleets with innovative, high-quality solutions. We value our partnership and look forward to continued collaboration to deliver value across the heavy-duty aftermarket.”
Benefits of VSP Designation
Suppliers that earn the VSP designation benefit from enhanced visibility and engagement opportunities, including special recognition and priority positioning at the IMPACT Conference. They also receive expanded branding across distributor touchpoints and increased networking and collaboration with the VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies team and distributor members.
Truck-Lite and ECCO join the VSP group alongside Baldwin Filters, Donaldson Company, East Penn, Grote, Prestone, Tectran and Tramec.
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By Counterman
The Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG), an under-40 community of the Auto Care Association, announced its 2026 Next Step Program scholarship recipients for YANG programming at Auto Care Connect. The Next Step Program offers young automotive aftermarket professionals an opportunity to establish lasting involvement in the auto care industry.
The scholarship recipients will experience and engage in YANG programming at
link hidden, please login to view and Spring Leadership Days, part of Auto Care Connect week, all taking place May 11-14 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. 2026 Next Step Program Scholarship Recipients
Tiffany Auyeung, Genuine Parts/NAPA Shelby McLean, CRC Industries Dina Nikocevic, Parts Authority Samantha Schearer-Higdon, Schearer’s Sales & Service Inc. Joseph Pedorenko, TERREPOWER Scholarship Benefits and Networking Opportunities
The scholarship covers the entire cost to attend the 2026 Auto Care Connect week and provides access to networking opportunities for each of the scholarship recipients. The Next Step scholarship recipients can participate in up to 25 meetings and network with more than 450 veteran industry leaders during this three-and-a-half-day program. “Next Steppers” will experience up-close how the association and various aspects of the industry work.
YANG Programming at Auto Care Connect
The
link hidden, please login to view programming at Auto Care Connect is tailored to young professionals in the auto care industry to facilitate building connections with peers, learning from industry experts and coming together as one collective industry by sharing the best of ideas and solutions for today’s automotive aftermarket industry challenges. This in-person event provides industry-focused programming opportunities to enhance leadership skills and knowledge of the industry. The post
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view honored the suppliers shaping the future of the automotive aftermarket at its 15th annual 2026 Partnership Event, Thursday, March 12, in Atlanta. This gathering has long served as a milestone moment that brings together the industry’s most valued partners to celebrate shared achievements, align on strategy, and deepen the relationships that drive the business forward. “Our Supplier Partnership Event isn’t just a celebration, it’s a reflection of what we believe at NAPA: that the most successful businesses are built on a foundation of trust and collaboration,” said Danny Huffaker, senior vice president product & marketing. “Bringing our partners together each year is how we align on our plan to win and strengthen our relationships. We’re grateful to our partners for their continued investment in NAPA and for their shared commitment to innovation that is defining the future of our industry.”
Among the evening’s honors, the Spirit of NAPA Award carries a particularly rich legacy. Established more than 30 years ago, it recognizes an individual who truly embodies NAPA’s values, work ethic, and commitment to deep, lasting partnership.
The full list of this year’s winners is below:
Spirit of NAPA Award, Premium Guard Inc. (PGI)
Spirit of NAPA Award Recipient – Premium Guard Inc. (PGI) Premium Guard Inc. (PGI) is honored with the Spirit of NAPA Award for demonstrating exceptional overall performance, deep partnership, and a sustained commitment to NAPA’s success. Through industry-leading service levels, strategic investment in dedicated NAPA sales support, and strong collaboration on new product launches and market expansion, PGI has consistently aligned its efforts with NAPA’s goals.
Following one of the most significant product transitions in NAPA’s history, PGI stepped up in a meaningful way, working cross-functionally with our teams to support training, sales enablement, and market adoption. Their partnership has helped expand product coverage, drive market share growth, and ensure NAPA remains well positioned to serve customers across our network.
Through performance, collaboration, and shared commitment, PGI truly embodies the Spirit of NAPA.
Partnership Award, Chris Pruitt
Partnership Award Recipient – Chris Pruitt Chris Pruitt is recognized for decades of leadership. Over a remarkable 31-year career at East Penn Manufacturing, Chris helped guide the company through significant growth while strengthening its relationship with NAPA at every level.
Under his leadership, East Penn consistently supported key NAPA initiatives that drove market share growth through innovative and collaborative programs. Chris also demonstrated a deep commitment to giving back, proudly supporting the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund through fundraising efforts that honored those who have sacrificed for our country.
Known for his accessibility and collaborative spirit, from the store level to the executive team, Chris fostered a culture of open communication and true partnership. Now serving as Chairman of the Board, he leaves behind a legacy defined by trust, integrity, and a long-standing relationship between East Penn and NAPA built to endure for years to come.
Service Award, Valvoline
Service Award Recipient – Valvoline Valvoline is recognized for delivering exceptional service performance to the NAPA network, maintaining industry-leading fill rates and dependable on-time delivery. Their reliability and responsiveness ensure NAPA customers consistently receive the products they need when they need them.
Catalog Award, CRC
Catalog Award Recipient – CRC CRC is recognized for excellence in catalog content and data quality, demonstrating exceptional completeness, correctness, and reliability in product information. Their commitment to maintaining high standards ensures NAPA teams and customers have the accurate information they need to confidently identify the right products.
Quality Award, Old World Industries (OWI)
Quality Award Recipient – Old World Industries (OWI) Old World Industries (OWI) is recognized for its outstanding commitment to product quality and transparency, working closely with NAPA to provide comprehensive testing data and detailed quality documentation. Their proactive collaboration and dedication to continuous improvement help ensure the reliability and performance that NAPA customers expect.
Innovation Award, Milwaukee
Innovation Award Recipient – Milwaukee Milwaukee is recognized for driving innovation and growth within the NAPA network through the launch of more than 600 new SKUs in 2025 and the creation of exclusive trade in promotions that generated significant incremental sales. Their continued investment in new product development and sales enablement demonstrates a strong commitment to innovation and partnership with NAPA.
Indirect Supplier Award, The Variable Agency
Indirect Supplier Award Recipient – The Variable Agency The Variable Agency is recognized for its exceptional partnership and creative leadership in the brand transformation of Carlyle Tools. Through strategy, distinctive visual identity, and powerful storytelling, TVA helped reimagine Carlyle as a modern professional tool brand designed to resonate with the next generation of technicians.
Marketing Award, Dorman
Marketing Award Recipient – Dorman Dorman is recognized for outstanding collaboration with the NAPA marketing teams, investing in innovative campaigns and strong social media engagement that increased visibility and traffic at NAPA for the Dorman brand. Their commitment to creative marketing initiatives continues to expand awareness of Dorman products among technicians and customers across the industry.
Sales Award, Dorman
Sales Award Recipient – Dorman Dorman is honored for delivering exceptional sales growth with NAPA, generating significant incremental revenue through strong product innovation, inventory support, and close collaboration with NAPA teams to capture new opportunities and serve customers more effectively.
Market Disruptor Award, Carlyle Tools Suppliers (ISS, Great Neck, Clore, Homak, FNA)
Market Disruptor Award Recipient – Carlyle Tools Suppliers ISS, Great Neck, Clore, Homak, and FNA are recognized for their partnership with NAPA in relaunching the Carlyle Tools brand—bringing together product expertise, supply chain strength, and collaboration to create a differentiated professional tool offering that is reshaping expectations in the market.
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By Counterman
Several
link hidden, please login to view members enjoyed a weekend of bass fishing and World of Outlaws racing as the winners in the Grote-Federated Co-Man “Bass ‘N’ Outlaws” promotion. The Federated members spent a day on a guided bass fishing trip on beautiful Lake Tohopekaliga near Orlando, Florida, and watched a night of World of Outlaws racing at the Federated DIRTcar Nationals at the Volusia Speedway Park in De Leon Springs, Florida. The promotion winners also received lodging on the St. John’s River with all meals included during the trip.
“Our members had a great day of fishing, a night of exciting racing and we even saw some alligators,” said John Marcum, director of marketing for Federated. “We want to thank our partners at Grote for an incredible trip and a highly successful promotion that rewarded Federated members for their continued growth and commitment to Grote. The winners enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience thanks to our friends at Grote.”
To be eligible for the promotion,
link hidden, please login to view members were rewarded for their purchases of Grote Industries products for a three-month period through the Federated Co-Man warehouse. The winners were chosen based on the highest percentage of growth and highest dollar growth in Co-Man Grote purchases. In addition, members were al The post
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By Counterman
The
link hidden, please login to view Commercial Vehicle and Heavy Duty (CVHD) Program celebrated Tectran, the 2025 Alliance CVHD Heavy Duty Hauler Award winner, at the recent Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) 2026, January 19-22 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, TX. As the largest North American gathering of heavy-duty aftermarket professionals, HDAW 2026 brought together thousands of executives, managers and industry leaders for four days of networking, collaboration and strategic discussion. “HDAW continues to be one of the most valuable events of the year for our Alliance CVHD Program,” said Mario Gonzalez, CVHD program manager for the Alliance. “It gave us the opportunity to bring our members together in one place, strengthen relationships with our partners, and have meaningful conversations about where the industry is headed. Each year, participation continues to grow, reinforcing the momentum and long-term value of the Alliance CVHD Program. And it was nice to share some hardware with one of our partners, Tectran.”
HDAW 2026
During the HDAW 2026 gathering, the Alliance CVHD Program recognized Tectran for its outstanding contributions and partnership throughout 2025 and shared the 2025 Alliance CVHD Heavy Duty Hauler Award at the booth. This annual award recognizes a channel partner that demonstrates exceptional support in the field, commitment to training and collaboration, and a shared vision for advancing the Alliance CVHD Program.
“We are honored to be recognized by the Alliance as the 2025 Heavy Duty Hauler Award winner,” said M. Jarod Scherer, president and CEO at Tectran. “The Alliance CVHD Program has been a strong partner for us, and we value the collaboration, trust, and shared commitment to supporting distributors and customers across the heavy-duty aftermarket. We look forward to continuing to grow together in the years ahead.”
The
link hidden, please login to view CVHD Program includes Auto Value Truck Parts, Bumper to Bumper Truck Parts, and All-Pro Truck Parts member brands and continues to deliver value through innovative technology solutions, industry expertise, and comprehensive marketing support. With a strong focus on IT driven tools for inventory optimization, distribution efficiencies, and eCommerce capabilities, the program remains well positioned to help members succeed in an evolving and competitive marketplace. Included at the Alliance CVHD booth was a demonstration of MyPlace4Parts, the Alliance CVHD program’s B2B eCommerce platform. For more information, visit
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