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AARC Ride for the Future Heads to Antelope Canyon
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By Counterman
The automotive aftermarket often celebrates its long and historic legacy—manufacturers that engineer solutions, distribution channels that crisscross the country, parts stores and repair shops that keep America moving. Today, the aftermarket is paving the foundation of a new legacy—dreaming up innovation in new and existing powertrains, leveraging digitally driven solutions and forging stronger relationships. This year’s Road to AAPEX traverses the crossroads where history meets ingenuity to drive the industry down the road toward its future legacy.
Babcox Media’s Joe Keene, an ASE-certified technician, navigates the automotive aftermarket landscape, starting at the Crawford Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. A location rich in automotive history, the Crawford Museum displays a parallel path between early automotive designs and modern vehicles that shows off the continuous advancements that have shaped the industry.
Meanwhile, David Sickels, Babcox Media editor, will delve into the aftermarket and the significant contributions of independent companies within the supply chain. He’ll travel the country to chart the history of the aftermarket, the key players, and the processes involved in manufacturing automotive parts. He will interview key figures in the industry and examine the processes that bring aftermarket parts from conception to market, providing valuable insights into the operational aspects and historical development of the aftermarket sector.
Then there’s Babcox Media’s Scott Shriber, automotive aftermarket guru, who will focus on the logistics and distribution chains that deliver parts to local technicians and repair shops. He’ll explore the history of parts distribution, tracing its growth and evolution into the complex system it is today while providing a detailed look at how distribution networks have adapted to meet increasing demand and technological advancements, ensuring parts are delivered efficiently and reliably.
Of course, it all ends where the rubber meets the road—the hard-working automotive repairs shops that put the parts and solutions to work to get customer vehicles back on the road. Joe Keene will take us on a tour of the automotive aftermarket front line to talk with shop owners and technicians about how they’re innovating within their own businesses to keep America moving.
Watch the video for a deeper understanding of the industry’s dynamics and the factors that drive its continuous evolution. Be sure to stay tuned for more episodes of Road to AAPEX.
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By Counterman
The future of the automotive aftermarket shines brightly, and AAPEX is at the forefront of this evolution. As vehicles log more miles and integrate increasingly complex electronics, the landscape of parts and repairs is diversifying. AAPEX research highlights that new products are the primary draw for attendees, making this conference a vital event for staying informed and competitive.
The aftermarket is uniquely positioned to benefit from both internal combustion engines and electric vehicles (EVs). Attending AAPEX provides automotive professionals with the latest insights and innovations from industry leaders and the ability to check out cutting-edge products and solutions, helping you stay ahead of industry trends and capitalize on new opportunities.
Don’t miss the chance to connect with experts, discover new technologies, and ensure your business thrives in this dynamic market. AAPEX is your gateway to the future of the automotive aftermarket.
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By Counterman
Benjamin Fisher of New Haven, Connecticut, is the 2023 Mitchell 1 and National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Technician of the Future, Mitchell 1 announced.
Fisher received the award during the ASE Board of Governors Meeting and Service Professional Awards Banquet in Clearwater, Florida.
“We congratulate Ben on receiving the 2023 Technician of the Future Award,” said Nick DiVerde, senior marketing director, Mitchell 1. “Through his hard work and determination thus far, Ben has proven to be a student that Mitchell 1 is proud to recognize. We know he will be successful as he continues with his education and journeys down his career path.”
Fisher, who received a $1,000 cash prize for the honor, recently earned an associate’s degree in Comprehensive Automotive Repair and Services (C.A.R.S.) from Gateway Community College in New Haven. He also holds several ASE certifications.
“While attending the University of Connecticut for software engineering during COVID, I decided to take a semester off and found a job at a local TravelCenters of America,” said Fisher. “That’s when I discovered that working with my hands as well as my brain was much more rewarding. My goal for the future is to make an impact in the world with my skill set.”
To receive the Mitchell 1 and ASE Technician of the Future Award, the winner must be ASE-certified, have registered as a student and earned the highest cumulative test scores on the A4, A5, A6 and A8 tests.
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By Counterman
Since the 1920s, AP Emissions Technologies has focused on products and people. It started when John Goerlich acquired the patent rights to a muffler company and founded Associated Parts in Toledo, Ohio. It continued as Vange Proimos and his family entered the business in the 90s, strategically expanding through acquisitions. In January this year, the company experienced another strategic shift. Marmon, a Berkshire Hathaway Company with hundreds of manufacturing and service businesses, acquired the company.
Despite change, longtime company executives, along with Proimos, are proud that AP Emissions Technologies’ core values, integrity and rich heritage continue as the team looks to leverage the backing of a global organization like Marmon. Expanding investments in automation and R&D capabilities to introduce new products are top priorities on the list.
“Our spirit of entrepreneurism continues with Marmon,” says Gary Nix, a 28-year company veteran who heads the emissions side of the business. “We have nearly 1,000 stakeholders across multiple sites bonded together by unique values and a culture all dedicated to serving the customer. Marmon’s emphasis to accelerate investments in technology and their global resources will take us to the next level.”
The AP Emissions Technologies team sat down with aftermarketNews to share what will be changing in the coming years and how Marmon’s investment in the company is ensuring its strong future.
Increased Manufacturing for a Larger Footprint
Today, AP provides the market with a full assortment of automotive exhaust and emissions technologies. It has vertically integrated manufacturing, a large footprint and an executive team with over 100 years of automotive aftermarket experience combined. Steve Nuneviller, executive vice president of finance and accounting, said the company has had consistent growth year over year in top-line revenue and bottom-line earnings. Rich Biel, president of AP Emissions Technologies and longtime Marmon executive, says those attributes, including those that Proimos instilled, and a “listen to what the customer wants and the rest takes care of itself” philosophy are what attracted Marmon to AP.
“From catalytic converters to exhaust tailpipes and everything in between, AP is unmatched in product quality, coverage and depth,” he says. “AP hits all the strategic objectives within Marmon’s automotive aftermarket group. They’re characterized by a large market with strong barriers of entry and are growing at a healthy rate with high-margin, non-discretionary products.”
Nuneviller said with AP and Marmon having common goals, the new ownership transition has been seamless.
“These [Marmon executives] are aftermarket folks that get the business,” he says. “They know who the customers are, who the vendors are and what they provide us. The AP and Marmon partnership makes so much sense and has been great for the company and its employees.”
Jayme Farina, executive vice president, adds that one thing that will never change is AP’s focus on serving its customers.
“We have believed in giving our customers the right product in a timely manner and at a competitive price for decades,” Farina says. “Marmon shares those same principles and our passion for innovation will drive us to stay at the forefront in the emissions space.”
One important aspect of Marmon’s backing is that each company is autonomous, Biel says.
“We have to have the best coverage, most new products and best cost basis to deliver value to our customers,” Biel says. “Marmon’s vision is to support its companies with the resources needed to deliver this formula.”
Nix adds: “Marmon brings strength and support to every facet of the business, whether it’s manufacturing technologies related to automation, IT, systems, leveraged distribution or long-term financial investments. They have the expertise in every one of these areas to help build a stronger AP.”
Vertically Integrated and Data-Driven
From the start, AP has been a nimble company—another aspect that attracted Marmon Holdings. AP’s ability to change quickly based on the needs of the marketplace and its customers is rare in an organization of its size. It has nine brands serving a multitude of distribution channels, specialty markets, wholesale markets, retail and e-commerce. The company sells a whopping 15,000 parts for all makes and models, ensuring that it has what customers need.
AP has been able to do this thanks to its vertically integrated manufacturing process. It starts with the purchase of millions of pounds of steel brought in through the port of Wilmington, North Carolina, nearby the company’s distribution center in Goldsboro. From there, AP makes the individual parts for specific products: They coat their own catalyst substrates on state-of-the-art, fully automated, vacuum-controlled equipment that optimizes expensive precious metals. They roll and weld their own tubing, stamp parts, bend pipes and assemble mufflers—with ever-expanding automation to remain cost competitive.
“It’s all done in-house,” Nix explains.
Because AP has U.S.-based manufacturing and makes many of its own components for its products, supply chain complexities are diminished. In addition, with R&D teams and tooling engineers integrated into the manufacturing process, the company can respond quicker to changes in the market.
Data plays a big part in allowing the company to change on a dime. The company’s business sales, tracking, planning, scheduling and production software make sure every step is measured. The results are used to ensure that AP is making the right parts for in-demand applications.
“OEM research, video data, catalog content—they’re all rich sources for information to help steer our teams in the right direction to deliver the right parts on time,” Nix adds.
Doing Whatever it Takes for the Customer
At the core of AP Emissions’ values is service to the customer. The company’s promise of quality, coverage and delivery revolves around the customer experience. From manufacturing to delivery, AP vows to produce quality parts for whatever job customers may encounter—whether it’s for the performance, passenger car or commercial market—that are delivered on time through a high-service supply chain. “Our goal is to understand the voice of the customer and to provide solutions to them when they need it,” says Biel.
“We’re a company and management team that cares about its people and its community, which includes our customers and our vendor community,” said Yusef Ewais, executive vice president of human resources. “At AP, we are proud of our strong culture. Our culture is based on three important pillars: trust, respect and collaboration.”
Sales representatives on the ground give AP an edge when it comes to staying up to date on products. Henry Hippert, vice president of sales, says AP’s national sales force—experts in emissions and exhaust—have nearly 400 years of experience in the field combined. Glenn Barco, vice president of sales, credits AP’s culture of innovation, urgency and “doing it right” for the way its team interacts with the aftermarket and its valued customers.
“Relationships are paramount here at AP,” Barco says. “Every one of our experienced sales team members are dedicated to problem solving and increasing our customer’s market share.”
Farina and Biel agree that AP’s people are the engine that keeps the company running. “They come in every day with a smile on their face and do their job with pride,” Farina says. “We have a culture that inspires the team and builds on each other’s strengths.”
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