SMP was recently honored by the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc. (Alliance) with four awards during the annual shareholders’ winter meeting held Dec. 4-7 at the Turnberry Isle Resort in Aventura, FL. SMP was recognized for its outstanding performance in the fill rate, logistics support and training support categories.
“I’d like to thank the Alliance shareholders for recognizing SMP’s achievement for the best fill rate, logistics support and training,” said Bob Kimbro, vice president distribution sales, SMP. “Receiving four awards is an extraordinary accomplishment and we are very proud to share these prestigious honors with all of those who work extremely hard every day to make sure our business and partnership with the Alliance continues to grow and flourish.”
In the fill rate category, awards are given to suppliers with an average fill rate of 95 percent or greater for the entire year. SMP received two plaques in this area during the awards banquet – for its Standard brand wire and cable and its Parts Master brand wire and cable. The awards were presented by Wayne Butts, vice president of product management, Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance to Eric Sills, vice president, engine management division, SMP.
SMP received the logistics support award from the Alliance for its overall shipping performance, which specifically pointed to SMP’s extremely low error rates, quality packing, good order turnaround, clear communications, great documentation and its web-based special order application. The award was presented by John Del Vasto, president, Vast Automotive Distributors to Garey Lange, director, program distribution, SMP and Eric Sills.
This is the 10th year in a row that SMP has received the training support award from the Alliance shareholders. SMP was chosen for its overall excellence in technician, counterperson and sales training. SMP held nearly 500 professional training seminars with over 5,000 paid attending technicians in the United States and Canada. In addition to these face-to-face seminars, SMP trained technicians and counterpersons using its new PTS Online webinar-based training program.
The training award was presented by Lyle Moore, president, Performance Warehouse to Larry Sills, CEO and chairman of the board, SMP, Bob Kimbro, Ken Wendling, national sales manager, SMP and Garey Lange.
“Receiving the award for our training support is a fantastic achievement and one that we are extremely proud of,” said Lange. “The award confirms, once again, that SMP has the best training in the aftermarket. The hard work and dedication of our field and in-house training departments, along with our sales force, is what has made this award possible for the 10th consecutive year.”
For more information, visit www.smpcorp.com.
