Jobber News Executive Outlook 2025: Shannon Black

Jobber News reached out to leaders in the supply and distribution segment of the automotive aftermarket and asked them what they see happening in the industry over the next 12 months, what will improve, what one challenge to the industry will be and what opportunities are out there for jobbers and suppliers alike. We will present their answers in alphabetical order over the coming weeks…

You can view the full feature in our January 2025 issue.

Shannon Black, 2024 Jobber of the Year  |  Motorcade St. Catharines

Each jobber, distributor and supplier needs to ensure they are able to keep up with new part number additions to stay on top of late model applications.

Business for the most part has held its own this year. Although, I believe the impact of high interest rates has caught up to consumers in the second half of 2024 with the last few months becoming slightly softer than the robust scenario most of the year. The mild temperatures late into the fall did not help either, but we’re starting to see business pick up again as the cold weather has started to set in. As interest rates fall it will hopefully build consumer confidence to repair their vehicles. The average age of cars continues to grow in age which means more repairs. Providing options for good, better and best quality will provide options to each customer’s preference.

Each jobber, distributor and supplier needs to ensure they are able to keep up with new part number additions to stay on top of late model applications. Ensure that you know your customer, their needs, quality preferences and proper inventory — you can’t have everything, but your customer needs to have confidence that you’ll go the extra mile to source the product for them.

You can’t sell from empty shelves. The jobbers/distributors that will be successful will have good inventory with multiple price options and add new parts while continuing to build the customer relationships.