It
A bold statement, you may think. Are you thinking that it doesn’t apply to your business? You may think you’re doing okay. Yet my statement applies to everyone – from a one-man shop to a shop with 100 employees or more – because if you don’t do it, your competitor will! The most recent Machine
J.D. Power Projects New Automotive Industry Breakeven Point to Decrease by More than 2 Million Units
From aftermarketNews Due to cost-cutting measures such as renegotiation of union and suppliercontracts, the "breakeven point" for the domestic automotive industrywill decrease by more than 2 million units when comparing currentindustry conditions to those forecasted in 2010, according to GaryDilts, senior vice president of U.S. automotive at J.D. Power andAssociates. Dilts shared these findings during
AAIA Predicts Consumer Backlash on ‘Cash for Clunkers’
While new car dealerships begin to ramp up advertising to attractconsumers to the showroom using the "Cash for Clunkers" program, whichofficially starts July 24, the Automotive Aftermarket IndustryAssociation (AAIA) said it anticipates a consumer backlash once realityreplaces the hype. "It wouldn’t surprise me if there is a consumer backlash once carowners realize that ‘Cash for
Paul ‘Scooter’ Brothers Elected SEMA Chairman-Elect
Paul ‘Scooter’ Brothers of COMP Performance Group will serve as chairman-elect of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) beginning Aug. 1. Members of the 46-year old association voted Brothers to fill the position that was held for the past two years by Rick Rollins of Rollins Performance Marketing/Consulting. Rollins begins his role as of chairman on
Winning the Business Championship, Made Easy
Several years ago, a friend of mine, who had just retired from Indy Carracing asked me to give a dinner presentation to a group of young racedrivers. "Tell them what you learned as a business executive that canhelp them mount a successful racing effort," my friend requested. As Ithought about it, I realized that while
Egge Announces Del Austin as New Sales Director
Egge Machine and Speed Shop is proud to introduce Del Austin as its new Sales Director. Del has many years of automotive aftermarket industry experience at the Jobber, WD, and Manufacturer levels. He has owned and operated both Jobber stores and Machine Shops, and is a hands-on enthusiast. Del has a collection of both pre-war
Executive Interview with Vic Edelbrock Jr., President and CEO of the Edelbrock Corp.
From aftermarketNews.com There have been plenty of media reports detailing the struggle in the auto industry today due to the tough economic climate. We haven’t heard much, however, about how this situation is impacting niche suppliers and the performance sector. What are you seeing out there right now?
Small Block Chevy and Ford Performance Cylinder Heads
Over the years, the SB Chevy V8 evolved and grew in displacement from 265 to 283 to 302 to 327 to 350 to finally 400 cubic inches. Aftermarket blocks and stroker cranks have allowed even more displacement, with some “small blocks” now having as many cubic inches as a big block Chevy (427 and 454
E-Commerce: Is A Web Presence Right For Your Business Model?
E-commerce is one of those things that sounds too good to be true. To start with, you can do business from virtually any geographic location that has daily UPS or FedEx service, which means you can live just about anywhere you want. The mantra of location, location, location for a retail store just doesn’t apply.
G-Oil Named Official Motor Oil of the American Le Mans Series and IMSA
GreenEarth Technologies has signed a two-year contract that will name itsUltimate Biodegradable "green" motor oil, G-OIL, the official motor oilof The American Le Mans Series and the International Motor SportsAssociation (IMSA). Under the agreement, G-OIL will be used in the Series’ official safetytrucks, which will also feature the G-OIL logo. The logo will alsoappear prominently
Hastings Promotes Two to Director Posts
Hastings Manufacturing Co. has promoted two executives to new positionsat the nearly 100-year-old American manufacturer of piston rings. Thomas DeBlasis has been promoted to the position of director ofnational sales. DeBlasis will have responsibility for piston ring salesthroughout the United States and Canada. DeBlasis has more than 30 years in the automotive aftermarket with thelast
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: January 2009
Top 10 Machine Shop Business Tips Engine Pro recently held a series of 8 focus-group meetings in the Midwest. Each meeting consisted of 8 to 10 machine shop owners and a moderator. Three questions were asked during the meeting. “What’s working? What’s not working? What do you need most to help you ‘make it’ for
Moore To Replace Johnson On SEMA Board Of Directors
Bob Moore, president of Bob Moore & Partners, has replaced AnneJohnson on the SEMA Board of Directors. Johnson tendered herresignation from the Board concurrent with accepting a position as anoutside regional sales representative with Keystone AutomotiveOperations. Ed Orzetti, president and CEO of Keystone Automotive,currently serves on the SEMA Board and SEMA bylaws prohibitrepresentatives from the
Camee Edelbrock Joins the Schiefer Public Relations Team
Schiefer Public Relations, a leading media company for the automotive and motorcycle aftermarket, has announced the appointment of Camee Edelbrock to the position of Public Relations Account Manager. “Camee is a third generation SEMA member and an industry leader,” said James Schiefer, President/CEO of Schiefer Media, Inc. “My grandfather (Paul Schiefer – Schiefer Manufacturing) and
Mid-Range Diesels: Going the Distance
While it may seem that we’re constantly asking you, the reader, to give us detailed information about your business, the truth is, details are what make this business interesting. In that respect, following the February issue of Engine Builder, a cross-section of readers were asked for their opinions on a number of topics, ranging from
Pennzoil Unveils New
Pennzoil has embarked upon a new brand strategy that makes strong claims about the oil’s ability to help keep a vehicle’s engine clean. The company’s new brand initiative is built around the theme of “Feel the Clean” and will be supported by a new advertising campaign that made its debut with new television, print and
Internet Marketing Opportunities Exist – Are Engine Builders Online?
Twenty years ago, the idea of doing business through your computer wasunheard of. Sure shops HAD computers…and some of them even turned themon once in a while and used them for printing work orders or perhapseven a printed reminder card to a customer now and then.Ten years ago, the internet was booming. You could buy
PEAK Launches Motor Oil Brand with IndyCar Series, Indianapolis 500 Partnerships
Powerhouse automotive brand PEAK is expanding beyond antifreeze into a new line of premium quality motor oils, and will feature the IndyCar Series, Indianapolis 500 and Danica Patrick in rolling out its latest products as part of a multi-year official partner agreement signed with the IndyCar Series. Representatives from Old World Industries’ PEAK brand, the
R & R Engine and Machine: The 2006 Machine Shop of the Year
Over the hill? Hardly. Celebrating 40 years in business, R&R Engine & Machine feels more relevant than ever. With a positive outlook and a refusal to stand still, the Akron, Ohio-based winner of the Engine Builder Machine Shop of the Year Award proves 40 isn’t the end of the good times – it’s the best
The 2006 Machine Shop of the Year
Turning 40 used to be a bad thing… On that tragic day, the black balloons, the wacky "Over The Hill" gag gifts and the general air of sympathy that your best years had all come and gone were about the only things you could hope for. That is, if you view 40 as old. But