Over the Counter May 2006

Saskatchewan Announces Tool Tax Credit

Sliding in under the radar prior to the Federal budget, was the announcement in April that Saskatchewan would provide tax relief on tool purchases for tradespeople including automotive and heavy-duty technicians as well as collision repair professionals.

Saskatchewan Finance Minister Andrew Thomson announced an Employees’ Tool Tax Credit that will consist of two components. The first is a One-Time Trade Entry Tax Credit, resulting in $1 million in savings annually for qualifying tradespeople. This credit recognizes the high cost of initial purchases of work-related tools that are required as a condition of employment.

“With Saskatchewan’s economy performing well, and the demand for trades increasing, we understand the importance of keeping those qualified people in Saskatchewan to help build the province,” Thomson said.

As well, the Employees’ Tool Tax Credit provides an Annual Maintenance Tax Credit that recognizes the ongoing cost of maintaining tools, worth an estimated $1.9 million in annual tax savings for qualifying tradespeople. While the plan applies to four specified trade groups, including hair stylists, painters, steam fitters, roofers, and other trades, those in the automotive trades are poised to receive the largest benefits.

For automotive technicians entering the trade, up to $9,000 in tool purchases can be applied to the scheme, resulting in a tax credit of up to $990. Ongoing purhases by technicians up to $1,500 will generate an additional tax credit of $165 in subsequent years. Heavy-duty technicians, will be able to apply $12,500 in initial expenses for a $1,375 credit, with ongoing maintenance expenses of $2,500 and a tax benefit of $275.

Collision repair professionals have a $5,000 limit for a tax benefit of $550, and an ongoing, annual limit of $1,000 for a tax benefit of $110.

While provisions currently exist to allow self-employed tradespeople to write off the cost of tools, the Saskatchewan ministry says it is the first time that it has allowed people employed in the trades will be recognized and provided a comparable benefit.

“These tax credits provide significant financial relief and are an incentive for our tradespeople to build their futures right here,” Thomson said.

Affinia Canada Announces Promotion for Technicians and Counter Personnel

Affinia Canada Corp. has announced a promotion that offers technicians and counter personnel the chance to win hundreds of poker-related prizes, including a seat at the 2007 Las Vegas World Series of Poker valued at $10,000.

The Spicer Showdown runs from April 24 to August 15, 2006. For every purchase of an open stock, premium quality Spicer professional grade chassis part, technicians will receive a Spicer Showdown instant-win game card. One lucky technician and the counterperson who presented the winning game card will receive a first-prize trip to Las Vegas to take part in the Spicer Showdown Poker Tournament.

Complementing the instant-win portion of the promotion is a sweepstakes, which allows technicians to submit non-winning game cards for a chance to win a trip to the Spicer Showdown Poker Tournament. One first-place winner will be randomly selected and the counterperson who presented the instant win game card will also will win a trip to Las Vegas, joining the two instant-win sweepstakes participants in the Spicer Showdown Poker Tournament.

The overall winner from among all of the participants in the tournament will be awarded the grand prize, a seat at the 2007 World Series of Poker.

“The Spicer Showdown is a unique promotion in which everyone has a chance to be a winner,” says Brian Fleming, director of marketing for Affinia Canada Corp. “Poker is a hot commodity and appeals to a broad cross-section of our customer base. We’re looking forward to growing the Spicer brand by offering our Canadian customers the opportunity to become a Grand Prize winner and be seated with the best-of-the-best at the Las Vegas 2007 World Series of Poker.”

Additional instant-win prizes include professional poker tables, Texas Hold ‘Em table tops, Texas Hold ‘Em poker kits, Spicer Chassis poker chip sets, and Spicer Chassis sunglasses.

Lordco Launches Into 2006 in a Big Way

Lordco Auto Parts held its annual trade show in Vancouver, with this year’s edition proving to be the busiest yet.

While final figures on both attendance and sales were not released, activity on the show floor showed a distinct upswing from 2005, which was a positive increase over the previous year.

Industry estimates conservatively rate the event as generating more than $10 million in additional sales for the British Columbia chain of 85 auto parts stores.

Of particular note was the shift from a Tuesday-Wednesday schedule to a Monday-Tuesday schedule, which seemed to play a role in the ability of customers to arrive early for the show. Prior to the doors opening at 3 p.m. on the Monday, customers were already lining up for the event, with some taking advantage of their early arrival to peruse the equipment displays that were housed outside the main Pacific National Exhibition coliseum.

AAPEX Show Looking for Aftermarket Crooners

Ever drive your Chevy to the levy? Remember your hot rod Lincoln? Know any songs about auto parts? Even if you don’t, but can sing, the Automotive Aftermarket Parts Expo wants to hear from you.

The organizing committee for the 2006 AAPEX event has put out the call for the musically inclined to perform at the Las Vegas aftermarket show.

The committee is looking for six acts to fill time slots on each night of the expo, October 31 to November 5.

Show manager Bill Glasgow, Sr. says, “We hope to increase the excitement in the main lobby during AAPEX while exposing some of the most talented individuals in the aftermarket.”

Interested musicians should send a CD or tape of at least one song in addition to a description of what they do in the aftermarket to AAPEX Show, c/o WT Glasgow, Orland Park, IL. Deadline for entries is Friday, June 30.

Home Depot To Test Auto Parts Waters

Home Depot Inc. will begin selling automotive supplies in a 10-store Florida pilot project, according to a California-based analyst.

Setting aside some 500 square feet for their new product line of motor oils and fuel additives, Home Depot is looking to step lightly at first, but the implications of the move could be much larger, suggested Thomas Weisel Partners LLC analyst Matt Nemer.

According to the report, the Atlanta-based retailer could be selling the auto supplies for as much as 22% lower than current popular retailers in the U.S. such as AutoZone and Pep Boys.

While Nemer didn’t expect a large shift in sales initially, he did note that if number-two retailer Lowe’s Cos. were to jump into the mix, it could cause problems for auto parts retailers.

“We are somewhat concerned for auto-parts retailers, given that Home Depot already targets the appropriate customer base, the male do-it-yourselfer,” San Francisco-based Nemer said in a release.

Access Cover Marks 15th year

U.S. company ACI has announced that the Access Roll-Up Cover, one of the most recognized products in its class, is celebrating its 15th year in production.

The cover, which can provide both full coverage and total bed access simply by rolling back and forth, is designed and produced in Jamestown, North Dakota.

According to ACI, The Access Rollup Cover is the most asked-for rollup tonneau in North America.

BrakeQuip Comes to Canada

BrakeQuip has recently opened a Canadian fulfillment centre, located on East Danbro Crescent, Mississauga, Ontario.

The centre will ensure that Canadian industry people can order any of BrakeQuip’s products, which were previously only available from its Knoxville, Tennessee facility.

BrakeQuip sells an assortment of tools and accessories, but its most prominent item is a brake line manufacturing system that allows technicians to make any type of brake or clutch line to suit any type of vehicle right in their own shop, in matter of minutes.

Beck/Arnley Launches Canadian Web-store

Beck/Arnley has recently announced its ordering website, www.beckorder.com, has been expanded to provide web ordering capabilities for Canadian customers.

With a valid identification name and password, users can sign in and place orders in Canadian dollars, which are then shipped from Beck/Arnley’s Canadian warehouse. Canadian customers can also place orders after hours, a capability which previously was only available south of the border.

“This enhancement is part of an ongoing list of changes we have in store for the Beck/Arnley ordering website,” says Anne Coffin, Beck/Arnley’s vice president and chief information officer. “Look for French and Spanish language versions in the near future.”

PBE Distributors Attracts Shops

PBE Distributors attracted good attendance to its trade show event in London, Ont.

The event, held in a convention facility, was of the tabletop variety, and provided suppliers to the collision repair industry distributor with the opportunity to keep collision repair professionals apprised of recent developments in technology.

Arnie White of PBE Distributors says he was very pleased to see the volume of attendees and the activity at the booths. Many visitors were very interested in developing their skills and techniques as well as their understanding of newer products that are available to them.

Canusa Celebrates 25 Years

Canusa Automotive celebrated its 25th year with a combined trade event and show and shine, featuring dozens of notable pieces of automotive art.

Canusa principals Bob and Ivor Jones were joined by Stephen Drake in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event was the largest ever held by the Dorchester, Ont.-based distribution organization.

The PBE Distributors show in London, Ont., attracted collision repair professionals who took the opportunity to learn about new products and techniques.

Appointments

KYB America has announced the recruiting of Mike Fiorito to the position of director of business development. Fiorito was previously with Affinia’s Under Vehicle Group, as both vice-president of sales and director of program distribution and retail sales.

Michael Butler, national insurance and services manager for PPG Refinish Canada, has been appointed to the position of Chair of the Chapter & Industry Relations Committee of the Women in Insurance Cancer Crusade (WICC). The WICC is dedicated to raising money to support cancer research and education and to support colleagues and their families in the fight against cancer. The CertifiedFirst Network of PPG Canada, Inc. has been a platinum level corporate sponsor of the non-profit organization for the past year.