Quantcast
Jump to content

  • 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, Twitter, Google, and LinkedIn. 

     

Carquest’s Junior Word: ‘Our Industry Is In A Healthy Place’

Counterman
 Share

Recommended Posts

Counterman Newbie

Counterman

Posted
Posted

In our 2022 Distribution Preview in

link hidden, please login to view
, aftermarket leaders talk about some of the key issues affecting the industry, and discuss their plans, goals and expectations for the year ahead.

This year, we added several fun “Lightning Round” questions that you won’t want to miss.

Here’s our Q&A with Junior Word, president of Carquest North America.

CM: What are some of the biggest trends that could have an impact on your business in 2022?

JW: Our Carquest team and family of independent owners are prepared for some of last year’s biggest trends to carry into 2022. Those trends include supply chain demands, vehicle ownership and the sustained need for parts.

While supply chain challenges have been a major point of interest across our industry, our store partners have continued to go above and beyond in providing quality parts and service to their DIY and Professional customers. We also know that more people than ever are owning and operating vehicles. With the increase in both miles driven and average age of vehicles on the road, there’s going to be a continued need for parts to keep these older vehicles functioning at their best.

CM: What are your thoughts about the business environment for the automotive aftermarket in 2022?

JW: We are seeing increased demand for parts, and this is converging with the labor shortage across the aftermarket. Despite this, we’ve been laser-focused on supporting our store partners. Our primary objective is to position our owners to drive as much business as possible while doing our part to make their lives easier as small-business owners. Our support team is leveraging technology, specifically MyCQStore, to provide valuable analytics and sales data to our store partners to help grow their businesses and operate more efficiently.

Carquest’s core business is tied to professional repair shops, but we’re also working to develop growth opportunities to increase the DIY business for our store partners. We’ll continue to make additional investments in our team and the necessary resources to strengthen the Carquest brand, while reinforcing our support to store partners to ensure their longevity in the communities they serve.

CM: What do you feel is the greatest opportunity in the automotive aftermarket right now?

JW: Our industry is in a healthy place. I mentioned the number of vehicles on the road, the increased age of vehicles and miles driven. People feel comfortable in their cars. It’s an environment that feels safe and familiar.

With that said, our team is focused on what we can control. We’re doing everything in our power to help store partners provide the right part at the right time for their customers. We want to drive more traffic to our existing Carquest locations while expanding our footprint across the U.S. We’ll accomplish this by opening Carquest retail locations as well as Carquest by Advance stores, a new concept we recently announced at AAPEX. This store model targets the growing DIY customer channel, and as a brand, we’ll be providing independent owners with operational and merchandising support to further establish their local presence.

There is a lot for us to be excited about at Carquest. The bottom line is, we’re here to take care of our owners while they take care of the needs of their customers.

CM: What phrase describes your “words to live by?”

JW: Don’t ever forget where you came from.

CM: What is your best icebreaker at a networking reception?

JW: I honestly don’t have any “go-to” icebreakers, but I enjoy meeting new people and hearing about their backgrounds.

CM: What is your dream car, or favorite vehicle you’ve owned?

JW: My dream car is a Chevrolet Corvette Z06.

The post

link hidden, please login to view
appeared first on
link hidden, please login to view
.

link hidden, please login to view

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Similar Topics

    • Counterman
      AWDA Accepting Nominations for 2023 Industry Awards
      By Counterman
      The Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), a community of the Auto Care Association, announced that nominations are open for its 2023 Industry Awards.
      The AWDA Industry Awards are presented annually during the AWDA Business and Education Conference, which will take place Oct. 31-Nov. 2 in Las Vegas. 
      Over the years, the list of AWDA award recipients has evolved into a who’s-who of aftermarket luminaries. AWDA’s are among the most widely recognized and highly respected awards the aftermarket has to offer.
      The AWDA Industry Awards include: 
      Art Fisher Award for Excellence in Education  
      This award, presented in memory of former AWDA Chairman Art Fisher, recognizes a company or individual for their leadership and commitment to education and training, either within their own organization or throughout the industry. 
      Lifetime Achievement Award in Honor of Martin Fromm 
      This very selective award recognizes individuals who have, over the course of a career spanning many years, distinguished themselves through their integrity, unselfish commitment to and high level of performance within the motor vehicle aftermarket industry. 
      Outstanding Leadership Award in Honor of Jack Creamer (Formerly the Jack Creamer Automotive Leader of the Year Award) 
      This award recognizes an individual, employed in the aftermarket, who over the past several years, has made a unique and monumental contribution to the industry and/or the association. 
      Pursuit of Excellence Award: Recognizing Special Achievement 
      This award is presented in recognition of excellence in business performance and the setting of high standards as an example for others to follow.

      The deadline to submit award nominations is Aug. 25.  
      Learn more about the award criteria, see former winners and submit nominations by visiting the 
      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
    • Counterman
      Lauren Beaulieu: ‘We’re Preparing Our Customers for the Future’
      By Counterman
      In link hidden, please login to view, we gave leaders from the major distribution groups and trade associations an opportunity to reflect on the most critical issues affecting the automotive aftermarket. For the second year in a row, we let distribution leaders “riff” on these topics in their own words.
      Here’s what Lauren Beaulieu, vice president, professional marketing for Advance Auto Parts, Carquest and Worldpac, had to say on the topic of differentiation.
      Our enterprise is focused on providing repair shop owners with differentiating products and solutions to help their businesses succeed and grow. We’re always evolving our strategies to support the needs of our customers.
      We’re preparing our customers for the future – because the future is here! We’re seeing how EV efforts are ramping up across the country. Our home state of North Carolina is opening multiple facilities that will be responsible for manufacturing batteries and other components for EVs, and I recently read that several manufacturers of EVs and EV components are coming to Georgia. As more electric vehicles and ADAS technologies populate the car parc, it’s our responsibility to support our more than 16,500 TechNet member shops and other enterprise customers with industry-leading education to support the vehicles of today and tomorrow.
      Part of how we do this is through our Carquest Technical Institute and Worldpac Training Institute technical and business management training. One of the most important things a shop owner can do is invest in its people. Shops that invest in their team and create a positive, engaged culture retain good employees. CTI+WTI’s online, virtual and in-person training provides technicians, service advisors and owners the opportunity to expand their knowledge and grow their career and business. We’re developing more training content on high voltage, ADAS and other emerging technologies to help our customers prepare for the future.
      Along with our commitment to expanding the curriculum available in CTI+WTI, our team is hard at work preparing for next year’s Supplier & Training Expo (STX) in Nashville. Each year, our goal is to add more relevant training and networking opportunities for attendees. We’ll have more than 350 courses led by the world’s top OE instructors, along with expert instructors from CTI+WTI. This will include significant programming on electrification and ADAS. While STX originated and is primarily a Worldpac customer event, it’s open to all our customers in the US and Canada: Advance, Carquest and Autopart International. We’re also excited to host our first event at STX specifically for members of TechNet Nation to network with other shop owners and technicians. This event is sold out, and we’re looking forward to seeing how members respond.
      Earlier this year, I mentioned in this space how we’re expanding the benefits that come with being a TechNet shop. From social media templates to direct-mail designs, we’ve added more to our library of TechNet-specific marketing resources for shops to leverage. We also recently launched within our online TechNet shop locator a “service and specialty” section. Motorists can now sort and filter shops by what type of work they do. For example, if you’re looking for an import specialist, you can find the shop that meets your needs. Same if you’re looking for a shop that works on hybrid or electric vehicles, a collision center, and so forth.
      Providing personalized resources to our TechNet shops while supporting the brand they’ve built in their local communities distinguishes them and helps them better-serve customers while helping their businesses grow and thrive.
      The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view
    • Counterman
      Tire Industry Association Joins Right to Repair Movement
      By Counterman
      The Tire Industry Association has joined other association leaders to support the critical global Right to Repair movement by signing the new Right to Repair position statement.
      The statement enumerates the core beliefs of the movement and the objectives and intended outcomes of right to repair legislation. The document also sets forth 10 best-practice principles to developing a framework for Right to Repair legislation that any supporting country can use and adapt them to their needs.
      Globally, the automotive aftermarket keeps 1.5 billion vehicles on the road while contributing $1.8 trillion to the global economy. After vehicles exit their warranty period, independent repair shops perform 70% of repairs. This vibrant industry and the consumer choice that it creates is being threatened by automotive manufacturers that block access to wirelessly transmitted vehicle repair and maintenance data, according to TIA.
      Without the convenience and choice of independent parts and repair, especially in suburban and rural communities, consumers will have limited access to affordable vehicle service and repair. These restrictions can have catastrophic effects on local economies and the well-being and safety of millions that rely on vehicle transportation daily, TIA says.
      In the United States, the automotive aftermarket is a $492 billion industry employing 4.5 million professionals, according to the Auto Care Association. 
      “Right to Repair is a top priority for TIA members and for the global automotive aftermarket,” said Richard “Dick” Gust, TIA CEO. “Without safeguards, independent automotive repairers and vehicle owners will have fewer repair options, face longer wait times and pay higher prices when they repair their vehicles. It is crucial for independent auto repair locations to have access to the equipment and data needed to repair today’s highly technological vehicles and that consumers have a choice in where they get their vehicles repaired.”
      Both 
      link hidden, please login to view and  link hidden, please login to view have successfully retained their drivers’ right to repair their vehicles. These countries are a model for similar legislation in the United States that levels the playing field and keeps the consumer at the heart of decision-making across the transportation ecosystem. Read the full position statement 
      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
    • NAPA
      Berry Rallies to 18th-Place Finish at Atlanta after Damage from Multi-Car Incident
      By NAPA
      Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Josh Berry made his third start for Hendrick Motorsports as the fill-in driver of the No. 9 link hidden, please login to view Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 as Chase Elliott continues to recover from a fractured tibia. It was Berry’s fifth career NASCAR Cup Series start. He rolled off the grid from the 21st position and took the opening stage to adapt to superspeedway-style racing in the Next Gen car, ending stage one in 28th. The Hendersonville, Tennessee, native improved to 11th in stage two. During the final stage of the race, Berry was battling inside the top 10 when he was involved in a multi-car incident on lap 190. The team made repairs and Berry was able to rebound for an 18th-place finish.
      Josh Berry qualified 21st for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. It was Berry’s third race filling in for the injured Chase Elliott as he continues to recover from a fractured tibia. Berry took the green flag for his first Cup Series superspeedway-style race and used the opening laps to get a good feel for his Chevrolet. The 32-year-old driver was scored in 20th when the first caution flag of the race was displayed on lap 11. Opting not to pit, Berry lined up in that same position after choosing the top lane and battled inside the top 25 once the race resumed. Berry got shuffled to the back of the main pack on lap 42, but was undeterred from the loss of track position as he made his way back up to 28th to close out the stage at lap 60.

      During the stage break, Berry reported to the team that the NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet was a little free on entry, but the balance got better on the longer run. Interim crew chief Tom Gray called the Hendersonville, Tennessee, native to pit road for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. Berry took the green flag for stage two from the 26th position on lap 68 and continued his forward progress, settling in behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson in the 21st position. Berry was running in 15th when teams began making scheduled green-flag pit stops on lap 127. The driver of the No. 9 stayed out until Gray called him in for a fuel-only stop on lap 138. Back out on the track, Berry made his way to as high as ninth before taking the green-and-white checkered flag in 11th to end stage two.

      The No. 9 team made a stop for four tires and fuel under the stage-ending caution, sending Berry back out to start the final stage in 17th. After beginning the stage in the top lane, he made a move to the bottom and used that to his advantage to work his way to 10th on lap 182. Berry continued to race inside the top 10 until a multi-car incident occurred on lap 190, collecting the No. 9 Chevrolet. The NASCAR Xfinity Series regular was able to drive the NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet away and brought it to pit road for repairs. The team worked hard over the course of two pit stops to fix up the front-end damage, and Berry lined up 25th for the lap 200 restart. Less than 10 laps later another incident brought out the yellow flag, giving the team another opportunity to work on the No. 9. Berry was scored in the 23rd position for the restart on lap 216 and reported early in the run that the NAPA Auto Parts Camaro felt better after the most recent repairs. He battled hard in the final stint of the race, climbing his way back inside the top 20 and ultimately scoring an 18th-place finish in the 260-lap event.

      “I thought it was a solid day for the No. 9 NAPA Chevy,” Berry said. “I feel like we definitely improved. We got up there in the top 10 and we were pretty solid before that wreck. After that, the car was just a little too damaged to be too aggressive. All-in-all, we finished the race, learned a lot and had some fun.”

      Start / Finish: 21 / 18
      Next Race: Sunday, March 26, Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas
      How to Watch or Listen: FOX, PRN and SiriusXM
      NAPA: 
      link hidden, please login to viewChase Elliott:  link hidden, please login to viewHendrick Motorsports:  link hidden, please login to viewNo. 9 Team:  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
    • 30% OFF all service and repair manuals
    • NAPA
      Berry Earns Hard-Fought 29th-Place Finish Replacing Injured Elliott at Las Vegas
      By NAPA
      After Chase Elliott suffered a fractured tibia in a snowboarding accident on Friday, NASCAR Xfinity Series regular Josh Berry was tapped to fill in as the driver of the No. 9 link hidden, please login to view Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Sunday’s Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In his first start in a Next Gen car, Berry adapted well, climbing from 32nd to 24th to round out stage one. The Hendersonville, Tennessee, native followed that up with a 26th-place finish in stage two before ultimately taking the checkered flag in 29th after battling through an issue with the throttle. After Chase Elliott suffered a fractured tibia in a snowboarding accident on Friday, NASCAR Xfinity Series regular Josh Berry was tapped to fill in as the driver of the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet for Sunday’s Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Turning his first ever laps in a Next Gen car, Berry qualified in the 32nd position. After the green flag dropped, the 32-year-old took the opening laps to adapt and managed to gain a few positions before green-flag pit stops commenced. Once the field cycle through stops, Berry was scored in 26th. He continued his climb forward, taking the green-and-white checkered flag to end stage one in 24th at the conclusion of lap 80.

      During the stage break, Berry radioed to the team that the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevy’s balance was better than it had been on Saturday, but that the car was a little on the tight side. After a pit stop for four tires and fuel, he started stage two from 24th on lap 89 and lost a few spots after making slight contact with the wall. When green-flag pit stops ensued, the team called Berry in for four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment on lap 122. Scored in 29th once pit stops cycled through, he reported that the No. 9 was much better. Berry pressed forward as the run went on and was scored in the 26th position to end stage two. Under the caution, he communicated to crew chief Alan Gustafson that the throttle pedal felt sticky. He added that he was struggling in dirty air as he was learning the new car.

      Berry took the green flag for the final stage from the 28th position on lap 172 and was scored in 29th when the caution flag waved on lap 184. With the team being two laps down due to long green-flag runs throughout the race, Gustafson made the call for Berry to take the wave around to get one of the laps back. During the final stage Berry continued to report issues with the throttle and when a caution came out with just four laps to go, the team made a pit stop for four tires, fuel and attempted to make repairs. After further evaluation, the team determined that they wouldn’t be able to fix the issue and sent Berry back out for the overtime restart. He battled hard in those finals laps, ultimately taking the checkered flag in the 29th position.

      “I learned a lot, especially in the first two stages,” Berry said. “I think we definitely saw at times we were running some pretty good lap times. Just struggled with dirty air; knowing where to put the car and how to do that. There’s a lot of learning to be done, but all-in-all, it was still a pretty good time.”
      Start / Finish: 32 / 29
      Next Race: Sunday, March 12, Phoenix Raceway
      How to Watch or Listen: FOX, MRN and SiriusXM
      NAPA: 
      link hidden, please login to viewChase Elliott:  link hidden, please login to viewHendrick Motorsports:  link hidden, please login to viewNo. 9 Team:  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

×
×
  • Create New...