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By Counterman
Schaeffler has been named a 2023 Automotive News PACE Award finalist for its eRocker system.
The electromechanical valve-deactivation technology is one of 34 automotive innovations recently named a finalist in the annual competition that identifies and celebrates the latest game-changing innovations from the plant floor to the product to the showroom floor.
The Schaeffler eRocker system is an electromechanical valve system used to deactivate the exhaust valves of the engine. The system consists of three main components: a dual-pin electromagnetic actuator; two slider bars; and either eight (four-cylinder) or 12 (six-cylinder) switchable roller finger followers.
The system currently is in production with a major global automaker on both a six-cylinder and four-cylinder gasoline engine, Schaeffler noted.
According to the company, Schaeffler’s eRocker systems offers a number of unique advantages over competitive systems, including: full switching performance throughout the entire engine temperature/speed range; relatively simple integration within the cylinder head; independent operation of oil pressure from the cylinder head; and a reduced total system cost.
“Schaeffler is honored that our eRocker System has been recognized as an Automotive News PACE Award finalist among an outstanding group of global automotive innovators,” said Jerry Dixon, vice president valvetrain, Schaeffler. “Our eRocker System is an example of how innovations on internal combustion engines can offer further benefits to hybrid vehicle drivetrains.”
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By Counterman
The Business Technology Council (BTC), a council under MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, announced that the deadline to apply for its Technology Innovation Award has been extended to Friday, Aug. 18.
The award recognizes technology-solution/service providers that introduce innovations that support, enhance and/or advance aftermarket processes.
Technology innovations must support one of the BTC’s areas of focus. These types of technologies can include:
Customer-Facing Technologies – Cataloging and product data, EDI/e-commerce, mobile, web services, e-tailing, RFID, QR codes, bar codes, POS data, data warehouses, S&OP Information Technologies – Cyber and network security, big data, BI, data analytics, cloud computing, IT outsourcing, ERP, MES, CRM After the application-submission deadline, finalists will be notified on Aug. 31. The finalists then will present their innovations during the BTC fall meeting on Sept. 18, and BTC members will vote on the winner.
The winner of the award will be announced at the 2023 Technology Conference, Oct. 8-12 in Atlanta.
Past winners of the award include Dorman’s “Where to Buy” platform (2022), VizSeek’s Visual Search (2021) and OptiCat’s Automated Loadsheets (2020).
“We have received an incredible response so far for the Technology Innovation Award and wanted to ensure everyone had ample time to get their applications in,” said Chris Gardner, senior vice president of Programs & Technology at MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, about the decision to extend the application deadline. “We look forward to reviewing the applications and recognizing the top innovation.”
To apply, visit
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By Counterman
The Automotive Content Professionals Network (ACPN) recently announced the winners of the 2023 ACPN Content Excellence Awards.
ACPN, a community of the Auto Care Association, announced the winners at its annual
link hidden, please login to view, which took place in May during the Auto Care Association’s Auto Care Connect event in Orlando, Florida. The Content Excellence Awards recognize best-in-class examples of data standards (ACES and PIES) use and compliance, as well as electronic cataloging and content in B2C and B2B platforms in the automotive aftermarket.
ACES and PIES Data Award – All Vehicle Types
This category is intended to recognize excellent source data. This award judges ACES and PIES files on a variety of criteria that ACPN deems as essential when creating best-in-class ACES and PIES data for all vehicle types.
Gold (Small – 10-50k applications) – Continental Corp. Gold (Medium – 50-250k applications) – First Brands Group Gold (Large – more than 250k applications) – BorgWarner* Gold (Large – more than 250k applications) – DRiV Inc.* *Due to a clerical error, ACPN awarded two deserving recipients for the 2023 ACES and PIES Data Award – All Vehicle Types – Large category.
ACES and PIES Data Award – Off-Highway & Equipment Only
This category is intended to recognize excellent source data. This award judges ACES and PIES files on a variety of criteria that ACPN deems as essential when creating best in class ACES and PIES data for Off-Highway & Equipment Vehicle Types Only.
Gold (more than 500 applications) – Old World Industries Web-Based Catalog Award
This category is for catalog-application lookup that is purely browser-based (websites) and does not require any special client-side app to be installed. The 2023 winners are:
Bronze – Mevotech Silver – First Brands Group Gold – Dorman Products Technician’s Choice Award
This award is presented by ACPN in partnership with the Car Care Professionals Network (CCPN), Women in Auto Care (WIAC) and the Young Automotive Networking Group (YANG). This category is for business-to-business systems that are either web-based or client-side install (app) supported. This award is judged from a technician’s and shop owner’s point of view (an end consumer).
Bronze – Factory Motor Parts Silver – Parts Tech Gold – Parts Authority Receiver’s Choice Awards
The Receiver’s Choice Award recognizes organizations that are supplying high- quality content including ACES, PIES, digital assets and other customer-specific formats. Honorees are selected by content receivers who support ACPN for their exemplary content and are leading the way in integrity, accuracy, timeliness, completeness, best practices and other proprietary-specific judging criteria.
Advance Auto Parts presented Award to Dorman Products, Inc. Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance presented Award to Motor Car Parts of America AutoZone presented award to BBB Industries Epicor presented award to Cardone Industries O’Reilly Auto Parts presented Award to Continental Corp. PartsTech Inc. presented award to DRiV WHI Solutions presented award to Dorman Products Learn more about the ACPN Content Excellence Awards at
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By Counterman
The Michigan Automotive Parts Association (MAPA) has selected Ken Wendling, retired from Standard Motor Products and living in Chesaning, Michigan, as the recipient of its 2023 MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Created in 2010, the MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award was created to honor the excellence of individuals in the automotive aftermarket who have made significant impacts in the industry and/or the association. The recipient must have had an extensive career in the industry, contributed significantly to the automotive aftermarket in Michigan and made accomplishments within their local community.
Wendling has been a longtime member of MAPA and made sure Standard Motor Products (SMP) had input with this organization, which is committed to ongoing training for all industry professionals at every level. Wendling always made sure to sponsor and attend MAPA Industry Day.
Over the years, Wendling helped recruit big names to sit on MAPA Industry Day panels, such as Eric Sills, president and CEO of SMP. When asked to be on the panel, Wendling always indicated he would find someone more qualified than himself.
Teaching the Next Generation
Early in his career, Wendling taught an automotive class at a local high school for apprentice techs and was a frequent automotive radio-show guest, helping callers to diagnose his/her automotive problem and guide them down the correct “do-it-yourself” repair path.
In addition to his sales territory, Wendling traveled the country for SMP training Firestone technicians on how to diagnose and repair auto and truck air-conditioning systems. He also put in place the Professional Technician Hands on Training, which was launched in Lansing, Michigan.
When hiring employees, Wendling spent two weeks with each employee giving the new hire his undivided attention teaching them about the industry, SMP and the technical side of the business.
Wendling had everything in his office that you would find today in a company training department: cut-away samples of product, tools and more. Employees often completed hands-on training in his driveway on one of his or his neighbor’s cars. Once in a while, they would work on a neighbor’s farm tractor.
Wendling often states he is proud of the fact that he completed, in one year, more technician seminars than anyone at SMP – 81. These were all technician classes conducted in the evenings on top of his regular territory-manager responsibilities.
Wendling spearheaded the Auto Wares Tech Expo “Jeopardy” and “Top Gun” contests for many years, writing much of the material and hosting as Alex Trebek.
Keeping Things Cool
Wendling was known for performing hands-on air-conditioning check lanes, often starting at 7 a.m. and not finishing until after 8 p.m.
At these events, he would work with the individual jobber stores and promote the free A/C check lane on local radio stations like WWJ in Detroit.
At some events, there would be almost a mile-long line of vehicles waiting for their free A/C check-up. If the car only needed a small refrigerant top-off, he would perform that service after diagnosing the vehicles. If the cars needed more service, he would have a deal set up with local repair facilities to perform the more major work at a discount. In Michigan, these check lanes are legendary, MAPA says.
Illustrious Career at SMP
As soon as Wendling was old enough to hold a wrench, he started working on bicycles, and then minibikes, snowmobiles, motorcycles and cars. While still in school, he started work in the automotive aftermarket at Gold & Sons Automotive. After a few years, David Gold’s father asked Wendling to manage Gold & Sons Automotive Parts Store.
Wendling started at SMP in June 1980 during the start of the automobile electronic revolution with electronic ignition, computers and small lightweight automotive air-conditioning systems with different types of refrigerant. While a territory sales manager, Ken was named Territory Manager of the Year for five of his eight years and was inducted into the Inner Circle Sales Club. He then moved to zone sales manager and was named Zone Manager of the Year eight times.
In 2006, Wendling became regional sales manager for the eastern half of the United States. In 2009, he was promoted to national sales manager and then vice president warehouse distribution sales in 2013. Even though Wendling retired in 2018, he continued with special projects for the company until 2021.
Wendling served SMP for 41 years.
Wendling always managed “hands-on” and never was afraid to work alongside you – never afraid to get his hands dirty. He always had an ear at the street level, even when his career elevated to senior positions. He helped Standard Motor Products make relevant, “real-world” decisions. There was not an industry event that he did not attend, MAPA says.
He was one of the original Northwood University Leadership attendees. He was the recipient of the Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award from Northwood University in 2017 during Industry Week in Las Vegas.
Wendling is a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus, working for the organization on many fundraising projects. Since retirement, he helped to completely renovate St. Michael’s Catholic Church, his home parish.
Since retirement, Wendling helped a nephew completely renovate an old farmhouse, including raising the house to add a 9-foot basement underneath, and removing the roof to create 16-foot cathedral ceilings. In retirement, Wendling also has been driving tractors or whatever is needed on family farms.
On Sept. 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian devastated southwest Florida. With a truck load of tools, he and his wife, Shirley, headed to Florida and helped many homeowners rebuild. They did everything from drywall, electrical and plumbing to hauling many truckloads of debris to the scrap yard.
A Family Man
Ken and Shirley Wendling live in Chesaning, Michigan, and have two children and two grandchildren. Their son, Jason, also is in the automotive business and is the lead salesman at a GM dealership. Their daughter, Kristen, and her husband, Dan, live in Allendale with children Kennadi and Owen. Kristen is an elementary-school teacher and Dan is a lead project engineer.
Ken Wendling is a lifelong member of St Michael’s Catholic Church, Maple Grove, and was an altar boy growing up. He was a little league baseball coach when son, Jason, was growing up, from the time Jason could play at age 5 until he was in high school.
Ken and Jason love to snowmobile in the winter, and summer is Harley-riding time. Motorcycling is a family affair. Today, you’ll most likely find Ken and Shirley Wendling sitting in the bleachers (sometimes three to four times per week on the west side of the state) watching granddaughter Kennadi running track, and grandson Owen playing basketball, football, baseball and swimming.
And still today, if you ask Wendling about the automotive aftermarket, he will tell you what he’s said for many, many years: “I love selling new parts for used cars!”
The MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Ken Wendling during MAPA Industry Day 2023 on Wed., Sept. 13, at the Crowne Plaza Lansing West hotel in Lansing, Michigan. Rich Violette and Darrell Liddell will present the award.
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By Counterman
AutoZone recognized 16 of its top suppliers at its June 7 Vendor Summit.
The awards honor companies that provided exceptional performance and demonstrated a strong commitment to customer satisfaction during the past year.
AutoZone named BBB its 2023 Vendor of the Year, the company’s most significant vendor recognition.
A leading sustainable manufacturer of automotive aftermarket parts, BBB was recognized for its dedication to supporting major AutoZone initiatives to increase sales, reduce inventory and improve the customer experience.
“As an AutoZone partner, BBB also provided best-in-class catalog content, increased first-to-market parts availability and offered training support to ensure AutoZoners provided trustworthy advice to customers,” AutoZone explained in a news release. “BBB demonstrated a relentless focus on providing the products and support needed to achieve mutual growth and success in a constantly evolving retail environment.”
Six vendors were selected for the AutoZone Extra Miler award:
APEX Tool Group Cloyes ITW Old World Sunsong UPOL The Extra Miler award honors those vendors who are “unfazed by obstacles, go above and beyond the call of duty, exceed expectations and consistently do more than expected.”
Bosch was honored with the International Vendor of Excellence Award for its continued support, leadership and best-in-class category management around the globe.
Eight vendors received AutoZone WITTDTJR (“What It Takes to Do the Job Right”) awards:
Energizer Gold Phoenix PLZ Prestone Products Reach Cooling Standard Motor Parts Sylvania and XMY Auto Parts These vendors partnered with AutoZone to consistently meet the needs of AutoZone’s DIY customers and professional technicians.
“Our 2023 Vendor of the Year, BBB, and all of our Vendor Summit award winners exemplified our pledge and values. They were collaborative, innovative and actively contributed to AutoZone’s success,” said Bill Hackney, senior vice president, merchandising. “In an ever-changing environment of rapid growth and increased demand, these vendors executed at the highest levels.”
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