News – 01-SEP-07

British Columbia Moves Ahead on Parts Apprenticeships

A new training curriculum in B.C. promises to get auto parts counterpeople ready for the real world behind the counter, with new apprenticeship programs set to roll out in January 2008.

The Automotive Training Standards Organization, which is charged with establishing, administering, and promoting automotive trades training–as well as working with those who provide training in the province–identified a shortfall in training and worked with other groups in the province to address it.

The parts and warehousing industries have been experiencing qualified labour shortages for some time, says Lloyd Stamm, director of operations for the organization. In response to requests from the automotive and distribution industry associations, the Automotive Training Standards Organization conducted a preliminary investigation into the situation from a training standpoint in March 2006. “It was apparent that new technology in the parts and warehousing industry was having the same effect as with other trades–training had not kept pace with the changes in the industry, and the current curriculum was outdated. This, in part, explained the low completion rates of apprentices in the industrial engines and equipment partsperson, automotive partsperson, and industrial warehouseperson trades.”

Through a series of industry forums and consultations with stakeholders, the B.C. organization developed a three-year program, with a common curriculum for the first level of the three-year programs followed by second and third levels with separate curricula for the parts industry and another for the warehousing industry. The changes also resulted in the merging of course content for the Industrial Engines and Equipment Partsperson and the Automotive Partsperson programs into the Parts Program.

The revised curriculum was also analyzed to ensure alignment with Red Seal Program requirements. In addition, at the behest of representatives from the warehousing industry, that program has been renamed “Logistics and Distribution.”

“One of the crucial factors that emerged from the consultative process was that apprentices and prospective apprentices would welcome laddering of certifications. That is, trainees would receive certification at each of the three levels. This means that a worker may be certified as Level 1 or 2 without being required to proceed to the next step. It allows the trainee the flexibility to take the next level at a later time, while still receiving credit for work successfully completed,” says Stamm. “Laddering enables lateral moves within this combined trade as well as moves to other occupations within the logistics and distribution world. Also, the system of levels credentialing will allow workers more mobility, and the ability to perhaps temporarily leave the trade but re-enter it later. Finally, one of the important features of this training is that employees with recognized training can command a better salary than the untrained [employee].”

A transition process is in place to ensure that apprentices currently enrolled in a program do not lose credit for their work and time. They are being contacted individually.

Stamm says that employers can also benefit from the new program as they will have a clear indication of the training level of an employee. And consideration of training levels will help a business appear “training-friendly.”

“This can be a big advantage in today’s market, where good workers are in short supply. Employers will see longer terms of commitment from employees who are able to identify a clear, employer-supported career path. And, of course, better-trained workers increase productivity, which in turn, increases profit margins.”

For more information on this and other programs offered by the Automotive Training Standards Organization, visit www.autoapprentice.com or e-mail info@autoapprentice.com.

Mahle Clevite to Acquire Engine Parts 1

Mahle Clevite Canada ULC has entered into an agreement in principle to purchase Canadian engine parts distributor Engine Parts 1 Inc.

Engine Parts 1 currently serves the Canadian engine parts market with five distribution centres. The proposed deal would transfer ownership to Mahle Clevite Canada. Engine Parts 1 is a significant distributor of Mahle Clevite engine parts.

The final closing date for this transaction has not yet been established.

J.B. Weld Co. has announced that Spartan Marketing as been retained to represent its line of adhesive products in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic Provinces. Kyle Anderson of Coast Valley Marketing, Langley, B.C., will continue to represent the company in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the territories.

KYB Launches Ride Control Promotion

This fall KYB America LLC is helping more people to experience the KYB difference by launching the annual “Feeling is Believing” promotion.

Participating service providers will receive a certificate valid for $10 off future KYB purchases when they buy and install a set of two KYB shocks or struts between September 1st and October 31.

Service providers participating in “Feeling is Believing” will also receive point-of-sale items to assist them in selling more shocks and struts.

“Feeling is Believing” offers service providers the flexibility to implement the program as they like.

Letters to the Editor . . .

Dear Mr. Ross,

Bravo for what you said in your editorial (“Internal Affairs,” August 2007).

I was a young person seeking to apprentice in the auto mechanics trade back in the late ’60s and early ’70s. I did take the shop classes in high school in Ontario. I am one of those who did not stick with it because of the negative working environments that existed even back then. I found even the high school environment negative. I hoped that when I finished high school and got a job in a shop, it would be different. It was different–it was even worse.

I had a real passion for cars and mechanics, but just could not follow my dream. It is long past time that those in positions of authority in every shop, and high school, across Canada realize how they drive away young people who are like I was–interested, and even passionate about the trade. If I had had support instead of negativity back then, I would still be in the field today at the age of 57.

Thanks for speaking out. I hope people are listening.

Steve Carthy

Greetings,

Just read your excellent piece (“Internal Affairs,” August 2007). Anything we can do to propel professionalism can only “be a good thing.”

Adrian Gordon

President & C.E.O.

Gorwood Automotive

Woodstock, Ont.

Dear Andrew,

I always enjoy your editorials. Your August ’07 editorial (“Internal Affairs”) about treating apprentices and journeymen with respect is absolutely right-on! I also agree it is the number-one reason people leave the automotive industry. Not poor working conditions or low pay, although those are sometimes factors as well.

The former owner of this business (an automotive machine shop) was lucky enough to sell and be able to retire in 2005. However, over the 30+ years he was in business, he constantly treated his employees (and many of our customers) in a high-handed or off-handed manner. He was rude, verbally abusive, and very egotistical. He created enough resentment that our two biggest competitors in this market area are businesses that were started over the last 15-20 years by former disgruntled employees. We lost numerous other skilled employees and apprentices over the years for the same basic reason: being treated like they just fell off the cabbage truck. Sadly some of them gave up on the automotive industry as well. In the pa
st there was always another applicant to hire, usually more applicants than positions to fill, but this has not been the case since the turn of the century.

Since times have changed and we have to keep the skilled employees we have in order to stay in business, we must treat them with respect. Skilled employees are a company’s most important asset, not the hardware bolted to the shop floor. Happily, employee morale, and smiles in the workplace, have steadily increased here with a positive, respectful approach. Now the word is out, and we have had skilled applicants who want to leave their “poisoned” atmosphere at their current workplace and join our team. At a time when most small businesses in the automotive aftermarket are struggling to remain profitable, being able to retain and attract good workers is now a competitive edge.

Thanks again for your always right-on comments about our industry!

Name withheld by request

Financial Report Available

The 2007 AWDA Financial Analysis Report, an industry-level study of Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) firms’ financial results, is now available from the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).

The AWDA Financial Analysis Report is organized into sections including Executive Summary, Detailed Results, Analysis of Variance, and Trend Information. Benchmarking data covered in the report include income statement data, balance sheet ratios, and selected information for inventory, payroll, warehouse and store statistics for 2006 operations.

The 2007 AWDA Financial Analysis Report is available to AAIA members for $125 U.S. and to non-members for $250 U.S. To purchase the report, call 301-654-6664 or visit the AAIA Commerce Center at www.aftermarket.org.

Warning Issued on Salvage Vehicles in Ontario

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has announced new policies for the registration of certain imported vehicles and motorcycles that will have the effect of making them irreparable or “parts only” and not eligible for licensing or plates for road use.

If repair shops are currently repairing these vehicles, including motorcycles, they should advise their customers that these rule changes might mean that the repaired vehicles may never be licensed for road use.

“If shops are fixing these vehicles now, they should cease repair work until the customer is advised that these vehicles, even if repaired, may now not be allowed license plates in Ontario,” warns Tony Nigro, president of the Collision Industry Information and Assistance organization.

Affected vehicles are those that are imported into Ontario as salvage, but have been identified as “fire or flood damage” on the registration or title.

These vehicles previously had been legally registered in Ontario as salvage and were eligible to be repaired and inspected, with a successful inspection qualifying the vehicles to be deemed “Rebuilt” and license plates issued.

These vehicles will now be branded as irreparable or “parts only” when registered in Ontario.

J.D. Power and Associates Releases Service Study

Tirecraft Auto Centers rank highest amongst vehicle service providers in Canada, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Canadian Customer Commitment Index Study.

The 2007 Canadian Customer Commitment Index Study is based on responses from 18,962 owners of 2- to 12-year-old vehicles. Owners were surveyed in November 2006 and April 2007.

Overall customer satisfaction with their vehicle service provider is determined by examining five key factors: appointment/check-in, service advisor, work quality, after-service, and customer orientation.

Tirecraft Auto Centers ranks highest with an index score of 905 on a 1,000-point scale, performing particularly well in all aspects of the service experience.

Mr. Muffler (884) and Autopro (883), respectively, follow Tirecraft in the rankings.

With more than 13 million vehicles within the 2- to 12-year-old segment, owners of these vehicles–who spend an average of $850 per year on service and repairs–account for an $11 billion market.

Mobil 1 Lube Express Opens in Sarnia

Imperial Oil Limited has announced that it has opened its first Mobil 1 Lube Express in Canada.

The Sarnia, Ont., site is the first of multiple Mobil 1 Lube Express locations that will be opened across Canada over the next several years.

Frank Montanino is owner and operator of the Sarnia outlet. A second facility will open in Toronto in Fall 2007.

Nominations Arriving for Counterperson Award

More than 100 nominations have already been received for the 2007 Jobber News Counterperson of the Year award.

Sponsored by Wakefield Canada and Carrus Technologies, the Counterperson of the Year Award seeks to reward the very best of the frontline workers in the Canadian automotive aftermarket.

Formally named the Abe Schwartz Counterperson of the Year Award, it is named after the late owner of century-old British Auto Supply in Toronto, who worked behind the counter for more than half a century.

To nominate an individual, look for the nomination ad in this issue of Jobber News Magazine, or log on to AutoServiceWorld.com.

APPOINTMENTS

JoAnn McKeown, vice-president, sales and marketing–retail for Osram Sylvania Ltd. has an-nounced the appointment of Rolf Muench to the position of national accounts manager, automotive. In this position, Muench will report to Colleen Kelly, who was recently appointed as director of sales for the retail channel and will be based at the company’s head office location in Mississauga, Ont. Muench assumes responsibility for all sales and business development activities for the automotive lighting sales channels in Canada. He will work directly with warehouse distributors, jobbers, and retailers to promote Sylvania brand products to the marketplace. Muench brings more than 27 years of automotive aftermarket experience to the position, most recently as sales manager for Corteco, an automotive sealing products manufacturer. He is an active member of the AIA, having served as chairman of the Vehicle Remanufacturers Council, and currently sits on the Suppliers Council. Muench will continue to work closely with Grant Brothers Sales, calling on and servicing Osram Sylvania’s customer base.

Li Lynn Ma, president of NovaEast Distribution Warehouse Inc., is pleased to announce the appointment of Harvey Presement as director of sales and marketing. Harvey brings more than 30 years of expertise in the automotive aftermarket to his new position at NovaEast. He recently retired after 18 years with World Automotive Ware-house, and is well-respected in the automotive aftermarket community. NovaEast is a distributor of brake rotors, pads, bearings, chassis parts, and new CV axles.

John Grant, president of Grant Brothers Sales Limited, is pleased to announce that Terry Bax of Tribax Sales Inc. is joining the organization as district manager for Southwestern Ontario. Bax has run a successful agency for the last 15 years prior to his joining Grant Brothers, and has considerable experience in providing a high level of service and support for customers in the traditional automotive aftermarket.