VIPAR Heavy Duty Highlights Upcoming IMPACT Conference
-
Similar Topics
-
-
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.
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
link hidden, please login to view concluded its 2026 Business and Training Conference this weekend in Rogers, Arkansas, bringing together more than 700 automotive aftermarket professionals for three days of focused training, strategic insights, and industry collaboration. The event welcomed a broad cross-section of the aftermarket, including store managers, outside sales representatives, territory, regional, and district managers, independent owners and vendor partners—reinforcing Bumper to Bumper’s commitment to strengthening its network through education and shared success.
General sessions were led by CEO Fletcher Lord III and COO Ben Butler, who outlined
link hidden, please login to view, key operational focus areas, and ongoing efforts to drive performance across the network. Attendees also heard from keynote speaker Houston Nutt, a two-time SEC Coach of the Year and former head football coach at the University of Arkansas and Ole Miss. Drawing on his 19-season coaching career and experience as a CBS Sports analyst, Nutt delivered a message focused on resilience, accountability, and team culture—principles that closely align with the values driving success across the aftermarket. A central focus of the conference was hands-on training and professional development. Attendees participated in 51 breakout sessions led by channel partners, designed to strengthen product knowledge, enhance sales effectiveness, and improve operational execution. The vendor expo featured 90 companies, 113 booths, and 273 sales representatives, giving attendees direct access to new products, emerging technologies, and practical aftermarket solutions.
“This year’s ‘Red, White and Revved Up’ theme aligned with the upcoming 250th anniversary of America while also reflecting our 107-year legacy of growth and evolution,” said Elizabeth Estes, director of training. “It’s a powerful reminder of where we’ve been—and the momentum we continue to build together as an organization, industry and country.”
“The strength of our business comes down to our people, our partnerships, and our ability to execute,” said Fletcher Lord III, president & CEO. “This conference is about equipping our teams and our customers with the tools, knowledge, and relationships they need to grow.”
In addition to educational programming, the conference created multiple opportunities for networking and relationship-building, including a themed vendor expo and evening events that connected distributors, suppliers, and independent owners in a more informal setting.
The event concluded with a formal awards banquet recognizing top-performing channel partners and industry leaders, highlighting excellence across the Bumper to Bumper network.
With attendees representing more than a dozen states, the 2026 conference reinforced the critical role of collaboration, training, and supplier alignment—and reflects Bumper to Bumper’s continued investment in the future of the automotive aftermarket.
Photos by Shann Swift with Swift Shots Photography.
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
TalkRev launched PartsNow.ai, an AI-assisted platform designed to help fleets, owner-operators and repair shops find and purchase heavy-duty truck parts more efficiently. The company said the system uses AI-driven chat, voice interaction and visual recognition to identify parts and connect users with a network of distributors.
AI Tools Streamline Parts Identification
According to TalkRev, the platform allows users to search for parts in multiple ways:
Describing the issue or component Uploading a photo of the part or vehicle VIN Speaking directly with an AI agent The system then identifies the part and provides availability and pricing from its distributor network.
“Too many mechanics spend their day on the phone calling suppliers just to buy a brake disc or a turbocharger,” said Manna Justin, CEO of TalkRev. “You tell us what you need—type it, say it, or upload a photo of the broken part or the truck’s VIN—and our AI identifies the exact component and sources it from our network of distributors.”
Integrated Purchasing and Distributor Network
link hidden, please login to view said it aggregates inventory from a network of distributors, with a catalog of more than 50,000 parts. Users can complete purchases through a single checkout process, with PartsNow handling the transaction. The company said this approach allows distributors to reach customers without building their own e-commerce systems. Voice and Mobile Interaction
The platform also supports phone-based interaction, where users can describe an issue and receive follow-up questions from the AI agent. TalkRev said the system then sends a text message with product details, pricing and a link to complete the purchase.
Steve Fultz, president of PartsNow.ai, said the platform is designed to reduce time spent searching for parts and improve access to inventory.
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.