The end of the year is always a good time for reflection, and it seems to come naturally as we get into December. You try to remind yourself of all that happened in the prior 12 months, despite how recent it may have seemed. Time flies by! Where did the past year go? It’s 2020 already?! The vernacular is familiar.
Yes, another year has come and gone, and I’m proud to say it’s been a good one here at Engine Builder magazine – one filled with several highlights. It’s a bit crazy to think I’ve been editor for 9 months now – taking over for Doug Kaufman in April. Doug has remained close to the magazine, of course, as he’s only just across the hall working hard with our Tech Group publications.
In 2019, we continued – as I think we’ve always done – to cover this great industry as best we can. Topics such as international business, finding good employees, LS engines, trophy truck engine set up, the import drag racing scene, offshore marine engines, and our first-ever women’s issue were some of the highlights. We’ve filmed more video than ever, recorded a few podcast episodes and have pushed our social media channels to new heights, too. And there’s plenty more to come!
October this year saw our redesign of the magazine come to fruition – a design with more of a consumer appearance, but maintains the content engine builders, machinists and industry professionals have come to expect.
The print redesign will also be followed up with a redesign of our website, which will launch in January. The impetus of these redesigns was Babcox Media’s 100th anniversary, which will take place in 2020.
As if that wasn’t enough, we have also continued to keep an open channel between our editorial staff and all of you to remain close to what is really affecting you and the industry. From what I can gather, many of you are as busy as ever, especially this time of year. And being busy is great, but there are plenty of struggles impacting you as well – employees, parts availability, pricing and profit, hybrid and electric vehicles, etc. Hopefully, those few issues aren’t anything this industry can’t overcome.
What really matters is that engine builders are able to do what they do best – build amazing performance, vintage, diesel, ag, and industrial engines – among others. To do that properly, you need the right parts, and in that vein, we have brought back our annual Parts Buying Behavior survey once again – starting on page 40. There are many reasons you choose certain parts, brands and equipment, and reasons you order them a certain way. We dive into the details once again.
Lastly, we would be remiss if we didn’t celebrate a few of you outstanding engine builders by giving out our annual awards. We have profiled all of the winners of our Engine of the Year, Diesel of the Year and America’s Best Engine Shops for 2019, starting on page 24.
It’s been a great year, and we’re carrying that great feeling into 2020.
Come and join us in a new decade! EB
