Publisher’s Perspective: How’s Business?
All the Indicators Look Good
Tuning into Specialty Niche Markets
If you are thinking of expanding your shop to include restoration, performance modifications or even customizing ‹ now may be the time. There are plenty of niche market opportunities for your shop to go along with your regular business, provided there is an interest by you and your team. If you, the shop’s decision maker,
Carley’s Corner: Smoother Surface Finishes for Today’s Engines
As engine technology continues to advance, so do the surface finish requirements for many of today’s gaskets. Some engines today require an almost mirror-like finish on the cylinder head and block deck surfaces to seal the head gasket – which means many machine shops may need to upgrade their surfacing equipment to achieve the smoother
Publisher’s Perspectives
I was reading the newspaper and came across an excerpt from a new book by Michael Crichton called “State of Fear.” Crichton also wrote “Jurassic Park” and “The Andromeda Strain,” and is the creator of the TV series “ER.” His new book reflects on fears that are created but never turn out to be as
Making a Difference
Just as your vote had an impact on election results, your involvement in industry initiatives can have a positive effect on your shop’s bottom line and on the vitality of the marketplace where your goal to build a business took hold. Those of you who have reached out to the industry to offer assistance or
Detouring Comebacks
se, how you handle (or prevent) a comeback becomes even more important to the success of your shop. Go ahead ‹ ask yourself, “Am I allowing comebacks at my shop to get out of hand?” First, don’t be discouraged. There will always be some comebacks. According to one shop owner, you can expect about a
Now is the Time to Gear Up for MACS Convention
The Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide, which will hold its 25th Anniversary Convention and Trade Show February 1-3 at the Las Vegas Hilton, is taking steps to protect its trade show exhibitors and the mobile A/C and engine cooling industry against counterfeiting and trademark infringement. As part of its new policy, MACS is asking
Perspectives
I was reading my local paper and came across the headline that read, “black boxes” are urged for automobiles. With all the political sparring in the news this election season, my skeptical mind has been in overdrive. Seeing this headline, I read on to find “The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Tuesday recommended for
Perspectives: How’s Business?
Looking at the automotive market from a macro perspective, all of the major indicators are moving in the right direction. The total number of miles driven continues to increase, approaching 2.8 trillion miles per year; cars and trucks are lasting longer, therefore requiring more service over the total life of the vehicle; the average age
Perspectives
Over the last two weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of attending some tool and equipment shows – and seeing a lot of cool tools, such as a pneumatic oxygen sensor remover, a magnetic socket holder and all kinds of flashlights and work lights. It seems that all the equipment is well-built, more powerful and user
News
What do you get when you cross Las Vegas and Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week? A working vacation worth taking this fall. You’ll find so much to see and do, you may not even go near a slot machine. In addition to coinciding with CARS, AAIW – which includes the AAPEX and SEMA shows – will
‘Court’-ing Disaster
I just returned to the shop after what felt like the longest three hours of my life. I spent the afternoon in Small Claims Court, and while fascinating — the same kind of fascination that won’t allow you to look away when trains collide, planes fall out of the sky or fast-moving brush fires head