Do You Know Your Breaking Point?
Every business wants to make a profit, right? An important key to making a profit is understanding a company’s break-even point. Figuring it out is a simple and necessary process for any store’s success.
Information Overload
We all make mistakes. Some are excusable and some are just plain stupid. But when it comes to ordering the wrong part for a customer’s vehicle, that mistake is costly and time consuming. What’s the solution?
Evolution of Aftermarket Product Lines: Part I
The complexities of today’s aftermarket product lines challenge every distributor and manufacturer. How did we get to this point and how will the future of domestic and off-shore sourcing shape tomorrow’s aftermarket? In Part I (of a four part series), Dave Caracci writes about how aftermarket product lines evolved, setting the stage for tomorrow’s new supplier dynamics and relationships.
Waterborne Paints: What You and Your Customers Need to Know
New regulations will require paint companies to use water as a solvent in base coat paints. How will this affect you and your customers?
Non-Euclidian Geometry
Right parts + right place + right time = happy service professional, right? Not by today’s standards. Service professionals want more and you have to change your formula to give it to them.
Survey Says…
The industry may believe that traditional distributors are losing business to OE dealer parts channels, but the data suggests otherwise.
Nitrogen Tire Inflation: A Lot of Hot Air?
Should your store look into nitrogen inflation of your delivery truck tires? Here’s what I’ve discovered about nitrogen-inflated tires and whether you should look into it for your own business.
Managing a Moving Target
The ever-increasing challenges of inventory management, customer connectivity, advancing technology and never-ending business and logistical demands have made cutting-edge store management systems a necessity for today’s successful distributor.
Double Digits
Dealing with a few returns is a huge hassle and a waste of time for everyone, but double-digit returns are much worse. Catching the mistake in the beginning can prevent headaches from turning into migraines.
You Might Be a Parts Pro If…
Are you a real parts professional? Here are some sure-fire clues to know if you’re really a parts pro or not.
The Globalization of the Groups
While the automotive supplier base becomes more global and the US WD population continues to shrink, some program groups look outside the borders to strengthen membership and protect volume. A link to a complete program group chart can be found at the bottom of this article by Editor Brian Cruickshank.
Pointing the Finger
Your parts store runs like a newly installed engine, right? No hiccups, no leaks, just smooth, quiet humming. Yeah, right! Mistakes happen all the time and more often than not, the blame is misplaced. Why can’t guilty people fess up?