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, X, and LinkedIn. 

     

Q&A with Advance Auto Parts Exec Lauren Beaulieu

Counterman
 Share

Recommended Posts

Counterman Contributor

Counterman

Posted
Posted

In our cover story for

link hidden, please login to view
, we asked distribution leaders to reflect on the successes and challenges of 2022 and share some of their insights for the industry in 2023.

Here’s our Q&A with Lauren Beaulieu, vice president professional marketing for Advance Auto Parts, Carquest and Worldpac.

AMN/CM: What did your organization accomplish in 2022 that you are most proud of?

LB: I’m especially proud of how our team has empowered professional customers through new programs and offerings. We’ve expanded on the benefits that come with being a member of TechNet Nation, which now includes more than 15,000 shops.

Our teams have continued to partner with TechNet-affiliated shops to determine elements of the program that best support their businesses. This includes marketing solutions, such as our Impressions branding program launched last year. Shops can connect with our design team to enhance the appearance of their shop, which can increase traffic and provide a more welcoming environment for their customers.

As we consulted with TechNet shops, we learned that while their car count was increasing, owners found it challenging to identify strong technicians and service writers to support their growing business. That led us to create TechNetAutoJobs.com, which connects shops with talented technicians and other automotive professionals.

Worldpac’s Supplier & Training Expo was also an incredible accomplishment. Nearly 2,000 attendees joined us in Orlando for more than 250 training courses on diagnostics and shop management, plus EV, hybrid and ADAS technologies. We were also able expand our offering of classes taught in Spanish. Many shop owners even closed their businesses for several days to attend, which is a testament to the quality of the business and technical training from our Worldpac Training Institute and Carquest Technical Institute trainers. We’re already ramping up our plans to launch registration for STX 2024 in Nashville!

AMN/CM: How can the independent aftermarket parts and service segments best prepare to repair the car of tomorrow as ADAS, EVs and other technologies become more prominent?

LB: We can best prepare by continued collaboration. We’ve prioritized keeping customers in the loop on industry trends and insights while providing them with quality training through CTI+WTI to support EVs, hybrids and vehicles with ADAS technologies. In turn, some of our training derives from input received directly from TechNet shop owners. They’re telling us what they are seeing in the field, and that’s helping us develop training curriculum.

Training is essential, especially as these newer vehicles become a larger part of the car parc. Shops that support the training and development of their teams are building a culture that attracts and retains quality team members, so their knowledge about repairing these complex vehicles continues to grow.

We also need to be prepared with parts that cater to EVs and hybrids. One example is our DieHard EV battery that launched last year. This 12-volt battery is designed for EVs and hybrids, and will become an important replacement part as these vehicles continue to age. 

AMN/CM: What do you feel is the greatest opportunity facing the automotive aftermarket right now?

LB: There are a lot of positives within our industry, but we feel there is opportunity in creating a sense of balance between the needs of today and tomorrow, specifically for the shop owner.

There are more demands than ever on today’s shop owner. You’re concerned about serving your customers quickly, hiring and training your technicians, parts availability and even promoting your shop to new customers. You need full confidence in your staff, the parts you’re using and that your parts supplier will deliver the right part at the right time. That reliability and trust is critical to the success and growth of your business.

We want to be there for our professional customers, providing all-encompassing business and marketing solutions, industry-leading training and quality parts to help them conquer today while preparing for tomorrow.

The post

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

link hidden, please login to view

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
      Automotive Parts Services Group Hosts 2025 Conference
      By Counterman
      With a theme of “We the People,” the
      link hidden, please login to view (The Group) held a successful national membership conference. The event took place at the Gaylord National Harbor in National Harbor, Maryland. Over 1,000 members, suppliers and associates attended the 2025
      link hidden, please login to view. The event kicked off with an opening celebration linking the nation’s history to current aftermarket challenges and opportunities, including Right to Repair. A drum and fife corps opened the evening, followed by a unique look at history from Thomas Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt. The Newsies then performed a musical stage production. The evening ended with a dinner and vendor expo.
      Industry leaders outline shared goals
      Day two of the Automotive Parts Services Group 2025 conference began with remarks from top industry leaders.
      Sue Godschalk, CEO of Federated Auto Parts, Robert Roos, CEO of The Pronto Network, and JC Washbish, President and CEO of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, welcomed attendees. They discussed the size of The Group and its supported initiatives.
      Jeff Koviak, CEO of The Group, followed with an inspiring message. He emphasized building a collaborative culture using combined strength, collective action and shared innovation.
      One-on-one meetings strengthen supplier partnerships
      The four-day event included over 4,800 one-on-one sessions between Group members and supplier partners.
      Attendees also joined brand-specific meetings and a vendor expo. The conference concluded with a D.C. Block Party Afterglow Reception and Celebration.
      “We thank all who attended the 2025 Automotive Parts Services Group conference who helped us conduct a very positive, productive and collaborative meeting,” said Koviak. “The event gave us the opportunity to review objectives, set goals and strengthen partnerships, putting into perspective the importance of ‘We the People’ to our mutual success.”
      The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view
    • Advance Auto Parts
      Advance Auto Parts Announces Date for First Quarter 2025 Earnings Release and Conference Call
      By Advance Auto Parts
      RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America that serves both professional installers and do-it-yourself customers, will report financial results for its first quarter ended April 19, 2025, before the market opens on Thursday, May 22, 2025. The company has scheduled a conference call and webcast to begin at 8:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
      A live webcast will be available on the company’s Investor Relations website (
      link hidden, please login to view). To join by phone, please  link hidden, please login to view online for dial-in and passcode information. Upon registering, participants will receive confirmation with call details and a registrant ID. A replay of the conference call and webcast will be available on the company’s Investor Relations website for one year. About Advance Auto Parts
      Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installers and do-it-yourself customers. As of December 28, 2024, Advance operated 4,788 stores primarily within the United States, with additional locations in Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The company also served 934 independently owned Carquest branded stores across these locations in addition to Mexico and various Caribbean islands. Additional information about Advance, including employment opportunities, customer services, and online shopping for parts, accessories and other offerings can be found at 
      link hidden, please login to view.
      Investor Relations Contact:
      Lavesh Hemnani
      T: (919) 227-5466
      E: [email protected]
      Media Contact:
      Nicole Ducouer
      T: (984) 389-7207
      E: [email protected]
      Source: Advance Auto Parts, Inc.

      link hidden, please login to view
    • NAPA
      Genuine Parts Company Announces Changes to the Board and Declares Regular Quarterly Dividend
      By NAPA
      ATLANTA, April 29, 2025 /
      link hidden, please login to view/ -- Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC), a leading global service provider of automotive and industrial replacement parts and value-added solutions, announced that its shareholders elected Ms. Laurie Schupmann as a new director of the company. Additionally, Messrs. Gary Fayard and Johnny Johns and Mses. Betsy Camp and Wendy Needham have each reached the mandatory retirement age for board members and have stepped down from their roles as directors. Prior to her retirement in 2023, Ms. Schupmann spent nearly 40 years with PwC, an audit and assurance, consulting and tax advisory firm, serving in various leadership roles of increasing responsibility, including as a Global Client Partner from October 1995 to June 2023.

      link hidden, please login to view
    • Counterman
      Stellantis Opens New Mopar Parts Distribution Center in NY
      By Counterman
      Stellantis celebrated a major milestone with the opening of its new Mopar Parts Distribution Center (PDC) in East Fishkill, New York. The $64 million facility enhances parts distribution across the Northeast and supports both dealers and customers.
      Leadership and Community Support
      Mopar leaders and a Dutchess County legislator spoke to state officials,
      link hidden, please login to view partners, UAW leaders and employees. They emphasized the new facility’s impact on customer service in the local community. Commitment to Growth and Service
      “The launch of our new Mopar Parts Distribution Center in East Fishkill marks a significant investment in our long-term growth and service capabilities,” said Mopar Senior Vice President for North America Darren Bradshaw. “This facility supports our dedicated UAW-represented workforce with the tools and environment they need to succeed. By integrating cutting-edge technology and automation, we’re strengthening our supply chain, accelerating delivery times and reinforcing our commitment to dealer and customer satisfaction along with employee success.”
      Mopar Parts Distribution Center Capacity and Strategic Positioning
      The 534,000-sq.-ft. facility is strategically located to serve dealerships and customers across the Northeast. It houses over 46,000 unique parts and expects to process more than 2 million shipments each year.
      Boosting Local Economy and Infrastructure
      “The launch of the Mopar Parts Distribution Center is a tremendous boost for East Fishkill,” said Dutchess County Legislator Steve Caswell. “This facility is not just an investment in infrastructure, but in our people, our businesses and our future. Stellantis’ decision to bring this advanced distribution center and nearly 100 jobs to our community underscores our town’s potential as a growing hub for technological and economic development.”
      Introducing Next-Generation AutoStore Technology
      This Mopar PDC is
      link hidden, please login to view’ first U.S. facility using the AutoStore automated storage and retrieval system. AutoStore includes 40 robotic units using advanced technology to move along a grid above stored parts. They retrieve parts from 70,000 bins across 18,000 square feet and deliver them to processing stations. PDC employees then prepare the final shipments for distribution. Enhancing Efficiency and Inventory Management
      AutoStore automation boosts speed, accuracy and dependability of order completion. It also reduces the warehouse footprint needed for storing inventory.
      Sustainability and the Mopar Parts Distribution Center
      The East Fishkill Mopar Parts Distribution Center is one of 21 Mopar facilities in North America serving dealers and aftermarket customers. Mopar merged the Tappan and Boston PDCs to reduce the region’s storage footprint. The AutoStore system further decreases the physical space needed at the new East Fishkill location. These efforts support Stellantis’ broader goal of lowering carbon emissions.
      The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view
    • Counterman
      RBR Truck Parts Joins Power Heavy Duty Network
      By Counterman
      RBR Truck Parts, with three locations in Texas, recently joined
      link hidden, please login to view. Founded in 2018, RBR Truck Parts LLC is a heavy-duty parts distributor serving the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. The company provides aftermarket parts for all truck makes and models. RBR caters to owner-operators, local fleets, service centers and municipal accounts. It offers high-quality products to keep their customers’ vehicles running efficiently. Strategic Location in a Major Trucking Hub
      The Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is home to 8.5 million people across more than 200 cities. It is a major hub for the trucking industry. RBR’s Hutchins, Texas, location sits near Interstate 45, just 250 miles north of Houston. Houston ranks among the nation’s largest ports. RBR also operates near a large rail/container yard and major warehouse operations. This allows the company to serve the region’s trucking needs effectively. Its heavy-duty network connection strengthens its position in this critical market.
      Product Selection and Facilities Support Growth
      RBR serves a diverse customer base throughout North Central Texas. The company stocks a wide selection of aftermarket truck parts. These include engine components, suspension parts, brake systems, wheels and tires, filters, fluids and accessories. The Hutchins location includes a 14,000-sq.-ft. showroom and warehouse. A 5,000-sq.-ft. facility in Duncanville and a 7,000–sq.-ft. branch in Fort Worth support operations. Owner Rony Santos and general manager Cesar Perez lead the RBR team.
      Partnering with Power Heavy Duty for Continued Success
      “RBR Truck Parts is a well-established business known for honesty, integrity, and their strong ties in the community,” said Jim Pennig, vice president of business development,
      link hidden, please login to view Heavy Duty Family of Companies. “They are dedicated to growing their business with quality parts from Power Heavy Duty’s network of supplier partners, and we look forward to supporting them with great programs and true group value.”
      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...