Issuu

Serving the Automotive Aftermarket Since 1931

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021

The Unified Parts Group Mark Krasicki, owner

NO SUPPLY CHAIN RELIEF IN SIGHT SIGHTS FROM AAPEX AND SEMA Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Agreement No. 43734062

CONTENTS November / December 2021 • Volume 89, No. 6

Features COVER FEATURE

Jobber of the Year

We’re pleased to present the 2021 Jobber of the Year Award to The Unified Parts Group

Columns 16

Service Notes A deserving winner

Departments On the Road

Check out photos from AAPEX and the SEMA Show, both held for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began

SUPPLY CHAIN

Stuck out at sea

If you’re looking for good news for the automotive aftermarket’s supply chain, you might be waiting a while

@JobberNews

JobberNews

News

By the numbers

Baywatch

YPA Spotlight

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Brake Rotors & Drums Brake Pads & Shoes Hub & Bearing CV Axle Assembly Radiators Chassis Parts Complete Strut Assemblies Brake Clean Refrigerant

NEW PRODUCT

Shock Absorbers • Strut Mounts • Wiper Blades • Ignition Coil Fuel Lines • Water Pump • Fuel Pump • Oil Pan Power Steering Pump • Rack and Pinion • Steering Gear

HEAVY DUTY TRUCK PARTS NEW

Radiators • Air Charger Cooler • Brake Pads • Brake Shoes Brake Drums • Belts • Tensioners • Pully Water Pump • Calipers • Starters and Alternator

AUTO PARTS AUTO PARTS

Hotspot Auto Parts

939 Warden Ave Scarborough ON M1L 4C5 Info@hotspotAutoparts.com www.hotspotautoparts.com

SERVICE NOTE FOUNDED 1931 Jobber News is Canada’s longest-established publication serving the distribution segment of the Canadian automotive aftermarket. It is specifically directed to warehouse distributors, wholesalers, machine shops, and national accounts. Publisher

| Peter Bulmer (416) 605-5346 peter@turnkey.media

Managing Editor

There was no doubt about who deserved to be recognized as our Jobber of the Year Award winner

| Adam Malik

(647) 988-3800 adam@turnkey.media Creative Director

| Dave Escuadro

Video / Audio Engineer

| Ashley Mikalauskas,

Nicholas Paddison Sales | Peter Bulmer, (416) 605-5346 peterb@turnkey.media

Delon Rashid, (416) 459-0063 delon@turnkey.media Production and Circulation

| Delon Rashid, (416) 459-0063 delon@turnkey.media

Jobber News is published by Turnkey Media Solutions Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in Canada. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, either in part or full, including photocopying and recording, without the written consent of the copyright owner. Nor may any part of this publication be stored in a retrieval system of any nature without prior consent. Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 43734062 “Return Postage Guaranteed” Send change of address notices, undeliverable copies and subscription orders to: Circulation Dept., Jobber News, 48 Lumsden Crescent, Whitby, ON, L1R 1G5 Jobber News Magazine (ISSN#0021-7050) is published six times per year by Turnkey Media Solutions Inc., 48 Lumsden Crescent, Whitby, ON, L1R 1G5 From time to time we make our subscription list available to select companies and organizations whose product or service may interest you. If you do not wish your contact information to be made available, please contact us.

President & Managing Partner

A DESERVING WINNER

| Delon Rashid

Head of Sales & Managing Partner

| Peter Bulmer

ou know what feeling when you meet a person and you get a good feeling about them? You just know that they’re trustworthy, honest and just downright good. That’s how I felt after I spoke to our 2021 Jobber of the Year Award winner, The Unified Parts Group. After a brief chat with president and chief executive officer Mark Krasicki, I got to (virtually) meet his executive team — Scott Shkopich, senior vice president and chief operating officer, and his sons Trent Krasicki and Monte Krasicki, both vice presidents. That conversation left me with no doubt that the right jobber was picked. They told me about the lengths they go to make sure their customers are satisfied. Sure, that’s a common trait among many jobbers. But the stories they and other NAPA leaders told particularly stood out. For example, NAPA western vice president Roy Moussa — who called Mark and his team “salt of the earth people” — would describe how the Unified team would develop deep and meaningful relationships with their customers. For example, while on trips, the Unified team would be with their customers the entire time. They treat their customers like family. “They are a very, very close-knit family. And that's the way they treat their customers as well — as family,” described Alvin Chibi, general sales manager in Alberta for NAPA Auto Parts. They were gracious with their time with me, accommodated my requests, answered every question and gave me all the details I need to know about their business. I suspect the feeling I had after speaking with them is the same one each and every one of their customers have when they get off the phone with Unified. Of course, being nice, treating everyone well and getting along with people only get you so far. You need to be good at what you do, see opportunities for growth and pounce at the right time. And Unified checks that “growth” box a few times over. It was during a follow-up call with Mark that I realized just how much the company has grown in its 28 years. I ran through the list of changes to make sure I had all the facts straight and it felt like the list wouldn’t end — adding a store here, adding a store there, adding the Traction banner, adding CMAX, and so on. On top of all this, they’ve stayed on top of technology, added in their own systems that fit best, worked to better the industry and dedicated themselves to their community. While not mentioned in detail here, these are also important qualities we look for when judging deserving candidates. Please join me in congratulating Mark and The Unified Parts Group as the 2021 Jobber of the Year!

Corporate Office

48 Lumsden Crescent, Whitby, ON, L1R 1G5

Adam Malik Managing Editor, Jobber News

Let me know what you think. You can reach me at adam@turnkey.media

ISSN 0021-7050 Online 1923-3477

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NEWS

AFTERMARKET RETAIL SALES BOOMING

SALES IN THE CANADIAN AFTERMARKET

retail sector have not only done well this year, the first half of 2021 saw its best performance during that period in the last five years. According to new data from DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, the first half of 2021 saw retail sales at Canadian automotive parts, tires and accessories stores hit about $5.5 billion. In 2020, that number didn’t reach $4.5 billion. None of the three prior year numbers even hit $5 billion. Retail sales did predictably fall in the first half of 2020 as the global COVID-19 pandemic took shape. But according to the consultancy, this start of this year is an all-time high performer. In its report Retail Sales Boom!, the group noted that “the aftermarket held up remarkably well in 2020, suffering a downturn that was far less than that seen in the new vehicle market. This performance came in stark contrast to the expectations of some non-auto industry-based consultants who, lacking an understanding of the aftermarket fundamentals, had predicted a freefall in the aftermarket.” And sales numbers aren’t up because of inflation. Price hikes had a minimal effect, according to DesRosiers. It noted that Canadian Price Index data for June 2021 showed that inflation for aftermarket parts and supplies fell earlier this year to a rate of only 0.4 per cent. In 2020, that number was 1.6 per cent. Furthermore, repair and maintenance services saw its inflation rate rise to 2.5 per cent but that’s a small jump from the 2 per cent rate it was the year before. It would appear that the aftermarket is fairing far better 6

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than the general small business community. A late October report from Payments Canada reported that 43 per cent of small businesses in Canada are reporting a drop in sales since the start of the pandemic. More than a third (35 per cent) indicated that managing margins and profit had been adversely impacted. So why are sales booming in aftermarket retail? Simply put, Canadians are getting behind the wheel of their vehicles and driving again. “More driving creates more wear and tear which in turn creates more need for aftermarket parts and services,” DesRosiers' analysis said. Indeed, according to National Vehicle Kilometres Traveled Metrics – 2019 To 2021, the average daily vehicle kilometres travelled was 1.29 billion kilometres on Canadian roads during the second quarter of this year (from April to June). That’s the most in a quarter since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic. The data was prepared by StreetLight Data Inc. The report was released by the Automotive Industries Association of Canada. “Overall, Canadians are driving their vehicles more than many would have expected under the circumstances and are therefore maintaining demand for aftermarket parts and services,” said DesRosiers managing partner Andrew King in an announcement. “Aftermarket retail sales figures are remarkably strong and indicate notable strength in the Canadian aftermarket — the backbone of the Canadian automotive industry.”

NEWS

SOFTWARE CHALLENGES A HURDLE FOR THE AFTERMARKET A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING

in the automotive aftermarket around issues related to software as vehicles and their parts become more advanced threatens the viability of the industry, an expert warned. Without a better understanding of software issues by aftermarket professionals — and support from them to rally around the issue — aftermarket suppliers may not be able to produce the replacement parts needed to support the industry, according to Mike Kealey, executive vice president of commercial at Dorman Products. The issue will only get worse as even the simplest components in a vehicle become software-based, he said during a recent episode of Curbside Chat, hosted by the Automotive Industries Association of Canada. While some are focused on issues like

a shortage of technicians and training for electric vehicles — worthy causes for sure — software restrictions aren’t getting the same amount of attention. “The industry really can’t rally around a topic that’s not being discussed or understood. And that’s a big concern when I think about this

particular situation,” Kealey said. Software essentially controls every part of the car, he explained. Even something as simple as the window on a vehicle is controlled by software. It went from being a manual crank to a circuit board operation with embedded software. But without access to that software, the aftermarket is in a position where it can’t replicate those products. “For us to continue to effectively create replacement products and solutions, we’re going to need to be able to identify all necessary features, functions and interfaces, these products, then lay out the physical hardware, and finally write the software that’s going to replicate all those original functions,” he explained. “That software cannot be created unless we have access to the vehicle’s network.”

AFTERMARKET HOPEFUL AFTER MICROSOFT GIVES WAY TO THIRD PARTY REPAIRS THE AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET is keeping an eye on Microsoft’s decision to move forward with plans to open up its products to third-party repairs. According to a report, Microsoft has bowed to shareholder pressure and agreed to move forward with plans to allow for the independent repair of its devices. Activist group As You Sow submitted a shareholder resolution in June urging Microsoft to make device repair easier for customers. It cited environmental benefits from reduced waste as consumers would choose to repair their devices instead of discarding them and buying new ones. Both sides negotiated. The tech giant agreed to comply in exchange for the

group’s withdrawal of the resolution from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The move was met positively by automotive aftermarket leaders. Diane Freeman, executive director for the Automotive Aftermarket Retailers of Ontario, applauded the decision one that could have a ripple effect in all sectors. “This is definitely a step in the right direction for the automotive sector as consumers should have the choice where to take their vehicles for repair,” she told AutoServiceWorld.com, the online portal for Jobber News. “I think what will happen is we will see more companies following Microsoft’s lead, therefore, putting more pressure on all to have fair competition

when it comes to repairing consumer goods including the automotive sector.” J.F. Champagne, president of the Automotive Industries Association of Canada — which has been working with groups like the Auto Care Association in the U.S. to push for greater vehicle access for the aftermarket — said this move goes to show that consumers want choice. “Facts are that consumers overwhelmingly want right to repair and consumers want governments to enact laws that protect them,” he told AutoServiceWorld.com. “This puts manufacturers in a difficult position since right to repair limits their capacity to leverage consumer data and control their products’ lifecycle.”

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NEWS

CANADIANS GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL AGAIN AND IN BIG NUMBERS CANADIANS WERE DRIVING

almost as much earlier this year as they did during the same time pre-pandemic, according to data from a new report. Quarterly numbers from National Vehicle Kilometres Traveled Metrics – 2019 To 2021 show that Canadians travelled an average of 1.29 billion kilometres daily during the second quarter of this year. That’s the most in a quarter since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic in March 2020. Furthermore, a total of more than 117.6 billion kilometres were driven during this time, according to the data prepared by StreetLight Data Inc. The report was released by the Automotive Industries Association of Canada in September. That eclipses the pandemic-era highwater mark set in the third quarter of 2020 when more than an average of 1.25 billion kilometres were driven

by Canadians daily and 116.6 billion kilometres overall. From April to June 2019, the daily average was about 1.33 billion vehicle kilometres travelled, with 120.7 billion total kilometres travelled during that time. However, one notable difference is

the average distance per trip. In the second quarter of 2019, that number was 12.5 km. In 2021, that number is at 15 km — the highest mark of any period since the start of 2019. That’s also up half a kilometre from the first quarter of 2021.

USED AND NEW CAR VALUES HIT RECORD HIGHS WHETHER CONSUMERS are buying new or used vehicles, they’re going to have to pay a lot more these days, according to a pair of reports. Canadian Black Book’s Used Vehicle Retention Index for September 2021 hit a score of 132.6 points. That means the value of a used vehicle is 32.6 points above the benchmark the company set when it developed the index. This score represents a jump of 4.8 points (3.8 per cent) from August. It’s the single-biggest month-over-month jump ever, eclipsing March of this year, which was a 4.1-point jump. “Continued supply disruptions are causing havoc for OEMs and retail 8

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channels alike. Delays, coupled with strong demand, have sent retained values skywards with no immediate end in sight,” said Yolanda Biswah, senior vice president and general manager at CBB. Meanwhile, on the new vehicle side, Kelley Blue Book in the U.S. notes that US$45,031 was the average new-vehicle transaction price in September. That’s another record high — the sixth straight month one has been set. Compared to September 2020, that’s a 12.1 per cent increase and a jump of 3.7 per cent from August 2021. However, the cause for such a jump may lie in the fact that consumers are moving away from lower-priced sedans,

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compacts and entry-level options. Instead, they’re gravitating towards the luxury market, as well as pricier pickup trucks and SUVs. “The record-high prices in September are mostly a result of the mix of vehicles sold,” said Kayla Reynolds, analyst for Cox Automotive. “Midsize SUV sales jumped in September compared to August and full-size pickup share moved up as well. Sales of lower-priced compact and midsize cars, which had been commanding more share during the summer, faded in September. As long as new-vehicle inventory remains tight, we believe prices will remain elevated.”

NEWS

APD ACQUIRES ACTION AUTOMOTIVE AUTOMOTIVE PARTS DISTRIBUTORS

has acquired Red Deer, Alberta-based Action Automotive. Action has been locally owned and operated since 1979. Gerald Lemke started with the company while still under the Loveseth banner in 1968. He assumed ownership in 1999 and grew the company with the help of his son Gordon. APD’s announcement noted the company’s strong reputation in central Alberta. “This acquisition helps us with the Alberta corridor,” said Derek Drews, APD’s chief operating officer. “We are very comfortable with the quality of staff at Action Automotive,” Zara Wishloff, APD president. “I got to know Gordon Lemke over the years at many industry conventions. We are pleased that he is staying on with all of his staff. Clients should not experience any changes. In fact, we will be adding a few new lines, training offerings and programs that APD has been known for, so the Red Deer market will benefit.”

ERI GROUP ADDS A NEW DC THE ERI GROUP announced that it has expanded. It has opened up a new distribution centre in New Brunswick. The location of their newest IPW distribution centre is at 300 Baig Boulevard., Suite C-4, in Moncton. The facility opened its doors on Nov. 1.

The group also announced it was welcoming industry veteran, Marshall Jardine as the location’s branch manager. That name may be familiar with many on the East Coast as Jardine held similar positions with Clevite Engine Parts and Ertel Manufacturing Corp. of Canada.

AFTERMARKET SCHOLARSHIPS APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS for

the 2022-2023 school year are now being accepted by the University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF). Applicants can go to the foundation’s Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship Central website. Candidates have until March 31, 2022, to apply. Scholarships from UAF and more than 40 donor organizations are available. Candidates — students interested in a career in the automotive aftermarket — can be considered for more than one scholarship, so long as they qualify.

NEW PLAYER IN ‘RIGHT TO REPAIR’ FIGHT

OE engineered fuel modules without the dealer markup. Continental Fuel Modules are manufactured in ISO/TS certified facilities, ensuring the highest quality, ease of installation, and vehicle-specific fit, form, and performance. Yet, they’re affordably priced to keep you competitive! Rely on OE-engineered fuel modules from the name you can trust - Continental. Find the right part at: www.continentalaftermarket.com

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A NEW GROUP has emerged to help in the fight for ‘right to repair’ in the automotive aftermarket. The CAR Coalition is made up of automotive parts companies, repair shops, associations and insurers that are “committed to preserving consumer choice and affordable vehicle repair,” a statement announcing its launch said. The group is American-based. It describes its campaign as being one is multi-million dollars and in support of the R2R movement and legislative measures “We’re excited to kickstart this national campaign in the fight to restore consumer choice, lower auto repair costs, and ensure greater competition in the alternative parts industry,” said Justin Rzepka, executive director of the CAR Coalition. The coalition includes AutoZone and LKQ Corporation.

NEWS

NAMES IN THE NEWS

PARTSOURCE RETOOLS, LOOKS FOR GROWTH AFTER A FEW YEARS of

undertaking a transformation punctuated by the COVID-19 pandemic, PartSource is looking to enhance its footing in the Canadian automotive aftermarket space. A division of Canadian Tire, one of Canada’s largest companies, has moved much of its focus away from retail customers and is making greater inroads to the commercial side of the industry. “Our focus has been shifting to better service the commercial business over the last couple of years,” explained Sean Stokes, vice president of parts and general manager of PartSource. Most PartSource locations were set up under a 50-50 model where half the store served retail customers and half was a warehouse of parts. Now, the vast majority — about 85 per cent, according to Stokes — of a store is dedicated to parts, with the remaining for retail. Why shift? The market has been under disruption for many years now. There are fewer do-it-yourselfers as it’s become harder and harder to service your own vehicle. And the company found trying to satisfy both sides of the market wasn’t working out too well. When the company looked at commercial, they saw growth opportunities. So rather than cater to both, it chose to focus on one side and do that well. “But in order to capture some of that growth, we really need to change how we go to market,” Stokes said. “So we need to improve the amount of inventory we have in our stores. We need to expand the number of hubs we have across the country. We need to continue to look at, unique value proposition for our commercial customers.” For example, PartSource launched a new commercial app in the middle of a pandemic. It can scan a VIN and order products directly from the company that relate to that vehicle. “We launched that during the pandemic because we thought that, now more than ever, it was important for us to make it easier for commercial customers with everything they've been facing,” Stoked explained. PartSource stores used to be franchised but all 82 stores are now corporately owned. The company operates across Canada except in B.C. and New Brunswick. The company celebrated 25 years of business in 2021. But brand recognition is still a bit of a challenge. “Awareness continues to be something that we're focusing on, even within existing markets,” Stokes said. “Some commercial or retail customers don't know that PartSource exists.”

John Klassen has been named the new president of Denso’s thermal manufacturing facility in Guelph, Ont. Klassen has been plant director since 2018. He took over from Andris Staltmanis. Uni-Select announced Michael Sylvester as the president and chief operating officer of FinishMaster. He has more than 20 years of experience in leadership roles in the rail transport industry. Mister Transmission appointed Brian Schroeder to the

newly created role of vice president, franchise development. He will report to company president and chief executive officer Tony Kuczynski. Jennifer Holland will serve as the president of the

Automotive Communications Council for 2021-2022.

She is the marketing manager for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Mevotech has added Trevor Jones as its vice president of sales in Canada. He brings more than 25 years of experience in sales and sales leadership roles will be dedicated to supporting the Canadian market. ZF Aftermarket’s new aftermarket vice president for North America will be Brian Smart. He most recently headed the independent aftermarket businesses unit for the company.

The new president and general manager of Mann+Hummel’s automotive aftermarket division is Stefan Tolle. He was most recently the chief executive officer of Syntegon Cartoning – Track and Trace. Responsible for Spray Nine and Fast Orange brands, Ben Grueser has been promoted to associate marketing manager at Permatex. He will initiate and coordinate the launch of new products. Akebono Brake Corporation announced Willy Molina

as its to its aftermarket sales team as southeast district manager. He brings more than 25 years of automotive aftermarket experience to the role.

Adaptive and high-performance LiDAR solutions provider

AEye Inc. announced the appointment of automotive

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Onthe Road AAPEX & SEMA Show Nov. 2-5, 2021 Las Vegas, Nevada

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Masks couldn’t hide the excitement and relief to be back in person at the biggest automotive aftermarket events of the year in Las Vegas. While the event spaces were not as filled as in previous years and attendance was noticeably thinner, both AAPEX and the SEMA Show were undoubtedly successes. With the return of international travellers for 2022, it’s expected that next year's shows will look and feel like years past. When not visiting booths, attendees heard from experts though a variety of sessions that included discussions on electric vehicles, right to repair, changing driving patterns, coaching and industry trends. Some of the Canadians who were in attendance gathered at The Dorsey Bar to mingle.

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BytheNumbers

Stats that put the North American automotive aftermarket into perspective.

2030

5.5 billion

Hyundai plans to have the price point for a fuel cell electric vehicle be comparable to battery electric vehicles by the start of the next decade. The plan is part of its Hydrogen Vision 2040 plan.

Retail sales at Canadian automotive parts, tires and accessories stores hit highs in the first half of 2021 not seen in recent years. In none of the past four years have sales even hit $5 billion. DesRosiers Automotive Consultants

1.29billion km

Hyundai Motor Group

Sales of alternative power vehicles will make up almost

6.6 BILLION

half of vehicle sales in the U.S. by 2035. Such vehicles only make up

Average daily vehicle kilometres travelled on Canadian roads

5 per cent of sales in the U.S., slightly

during the second quarter of this year, the most since the

more than in Canada.

Aftermarket business fell from $9.2 billion last year, representing a 28 per cent drop. The loss is attributed to shifting driving and vehicle ownership habits as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 pandemic began. More than 117.6

billion kilometres total was

J.D. Power 2021 Canada Customer Service Index—Long-Term Study

driven during this time.

per cent

Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)

StreetLight Data Inc.

102.4

All automotive repair and service shop respondents to a recent survey said supplier delays resulted in them taking more time to complete customer jobs. 85% said delays forced customers to wait “a little longer” and 15% said “a lot longer.” Automotive Research

Average unit sales of used cars in the first half of 2021. That essentially matches

At least how long 40 per cent of respondents said

pre-pandemic levels of 2019 after

they would wait until they re-enter the market to

used vehicle dealers reported

buy a new vehicle due to lack of supply caused by the global microchip shortage. The same amount

a drop to 86.5 during the same time in 2020. DesRosiers Automotive Consultants

said they would wait three to six months before they try again.

Kelley Blue Book

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SUPPLY CHAIN

STUCKOUT AT SEA Getting goods from overseas has been a challenge, to say the least, and supply chain challenges are probably going to get worse By Adam Malik

AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET SUPPLIERS have had a rough go of

things recently. They can’t get products or raw materials from overseas in a timely manner. Container ship charges have skyrocketed. Suppliers turned to air, but even those costs have become tough to swallow. Everything from labour shortages to pandemic-related delays has played a role in driving up prices and frustrations. In October, a cargo ship hit rough seas off the coast of Victoria, dropped “dozens of containers” overboard, according to the vessel’s operator. Then a fire broke out on the ship. When it rains, as they say, it pours. And, aftermarket supply chain leaders are sorry to say, things are not getting better any time soon. In fact, the next few months will only be more difficult. That’s because Christmas is right around the corner. And once we get past that, not too long after is Chinese New Year. These two significant events traditionally slow down the supply chain anyway. Current problems are now only expected to be exacerbated. So those looking for relief of any kind in the automotive aftermarket shouldn’t hold their breath, experts said during a roundtable discussion as part of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association’s Supply Chain Webinar Series. With Christmas, demand for consumer goods will be high as people look to buy presents. Retailers will need to keep their shelves stocked with items. Problem is, shelves are relatively bare to begin with. Consumer-based retailers are competing 14

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with the likes of the automotive aftermarket to get products on ships to North America, then on to trains and trucks to deliver throughout the continent. With Chinese New Year, the anticipated shutdown of customs in China during this time will put suppliers in a tough spot to get products from overseas. “The closer we get to Chinese New Year, we all know it's going to get more complicated,” observed Jay Murphy, supply chain director at MotoRad. “Because [during] Chinese New Year, everybody else is preparing for [disruptions] like we are. It's going to become a nightmare.” Chinese New Year starts Feb. 1, 2022. It can be expected that Chinese customs will be shut down around Jan. 24 and not

But we're all doing the same thing. We're all vying for the same product, all vying for the same airspace, cargo space. So we're all doing what we're supposed to do.”

back to full operation until around Feb. 28, according to Peter Pearce, supply chain practice leader at consultancy Baker Tilly. A soft opening for critical government approved shipments around could start Feb. 21. According to some estimates, for every truck that leaves a port these days, there are 16 more truckloads waiting to also leave. Murphy noted that his company started preparing for those disruptions two months ago to get ahead of issues. “But we're all doing the same thing. We're all vying for the same product, all vying for the same airspace, cargo space. So we're all doing what we're supposed to do.” That’s already on top of additional delays expected from the demand for products related to Christmas, be it supplies or merchandise. In October, Jeff Peterson, director of supply chain consulting at Baker Tilly, was warning anyone who hadn’t already made plans months ago for handling the Dec. 25 rush were well behind the 8-ball. “[A company that hasn’t] gotten their orders on the water yet, you're probably not going to have the goods available for Christmas shopping this year, just because of the extensive delays in shipping that have popped up over the course the last

six months or so,” he said during an AASA webinar entitled From Sourcing Management Strategies for Ensuring Availability of Sub-components & Raw Materials. Companies reported that they’re turning to air — a much more expensive option — to have items delivered. Even going that route, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to work effectively given all the unknown surprises that pop up. “You think you've got control of it and then you wake up the next morning and something unknown is fallen into the mix,” Murphy said during the roundtable. He used the example of a supplier’s raw materials not coming through as expected and his company not finding out until the last minute. “It's becoming very, very high risk right at this moment,” he added. Darren Judd, supply chain director at NGK Spark Plugs, agreed. When one problem is solved and he takes a sigh of relief, up pops something else. “I think for us right now, the suffering really boils down to a confluence of global logistics delays, labour issues locally [and] the example about the raw material suppliers having issues affects us to insert certain areas,” he said. “All of these things together are things we have to manage on a daily basis. “So, literally, we're playing whack-a-mole with all of these different issues. If I solve one, then I got to worry about the other.” It’s almost like firefighting, Murphy commented in the context of putting out issue after issue. “We're now starting to come up with strategic ways to give our suppliers a better look, a longer look, so they can procure more raw materials and they can look out further,” he said. “But you still end up with a firefight from time to time and which causes chaos and causes the supply chain internally to not be trusted.” Transparency is also a challenge. A comment was made about the fact that there’s great reporting after the fact, post-issue. But transparency ahead of time that’s forward looking to prepare for issues is virtually non-existent. “The transparency we do have is, it's limited and it's wrong,” Judd observed. “So we'll have an ETA of when one product is supposed to hit our dock. But that ETA depends upon the rail line not sticking our container under five others and leaving it there for four weeks. So the data we have, I don't know that it's any better than not having the data sometimes.”

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By Adam Malik

Quick to adapt. Growth in tough times. Deep community relationships. A tight-knit leadership team. The Unified Parts Group is the 2021 Jobber the Year 16

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ark Krasicki has surrounded himself with the people he trusts most. People he trusts to offer customers the best experience they can find. People who strengthen relationships with customers and suppliers. People who have helped deliver 28 straight years of growth. People who help the company find new opportunities. These people make up the team of The Unified Parts Group, which operates five stores in Saskatchewan. It’s because of their willingness to take on challenges, find new ways to grow, adapt and respond quickly — be it to a new community, new sector or a global pandemic — that they are the 2021 Jobber of the Year. The people Krasicki surrounded himself are those with whom he couldn’t have a closer relationship. He has his two sons working beside him — Monte and Trent, both as vice presidents in the company. And as senior vice president and chief operating officer is Scott Shkopich, his best friend since third grade. “We're like one big family,” Shkopich described. Having your kids working in your store is a tradition that probably dates back to the dawn of the automotive jobber. Including someone you’ve known for pretty much your entire life? That’s icing on the cake. “It's very invaluable because you always know that he's got the company as if it was his own and he's always got the company's back,” Mark said of having Shkopich next to him. “So it's very comforting. You know the job's always going to be done to the best of his ability every time.” The business owner alone can’t lead the success of a jobber, he added. A strong team is needed. “You have to surround yourself with good people, trusting people and people that are going to be taking the company in the right direction,” Mark said. He places such a high value on having a trusting relationship with his staff because it’s those people who will be charged with building, retaining and enhancing relationships between the business and customers. “We continue to build relationships,” Mark said as the key to his business’ success. Rarely, he added, has his business lost a customer to the competition. The ability to build relationships is apparent to Roy Moussa, NAPA’s western vice president. “And those relationships don't happen by accident. They happen because he built trust with his ASP customers; by delivering the best value and service every single day. His team goes far above and beyond the call of duty,” he observed. Alvin Chibi, general sales manager in Alberta for NAPA Auto Parts, nominated Mark for Jobber of the Year. They’ve known each other for about 25 years, starting back when Chibi was a supplier rep. He’s seen their business grow over the years and how consistently they serve their customers. “They're community-minded people; they're family-oriented people. They built a great team,” he said. NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021

Jobber of the year 2021

Congratulations to Mark Krasicki and his entire team for this well-deserved recognition.

Vice presidents Monte and Trent Krasicki

History

Scott Shkopich, senior vice president and chief operating officer

The Unified Parts Group, part of the NAPA family, has five stores in Saskatchewan, with its head office in Prince Albert, the province’s thirdlargest city. Mark began his journey in the automotive aftermarket in the

late 1980s. He was “talked into” managing a NAPA store in Melfort. While there, an opportunity came up to become the partner of a store in Prince Albert. So he took on the opportunity in 1993. From there, it was growth. In August 1994, a second branch was opened in Meadow Lake; in 1997, the company expanded to Melfort; two years later, they bought the assets of Fort Ignition from UAP, NAPA’s parent, which had previously acquired the company; in 2008, they added the Traction banner, which serves the heavy-duty truck market; in 2013, Mark bought out his remaining partners to be the sole owner of the company; in 2015, the company adopted the CMAX banner, NAPA’s line of auto body products; in 2017, they bought a location in Tisdale; that same year, they moved into a brand new head office in Prince Albert; then in March this year, the company expanded into the second biggest city in the province, taking over a location in Saskatoon. “We're just finishing our 28th year of consecutive growth. As an entrepreneur, that’s a pretty motivating thing,” Mark said as to his reason for sticking around. “We're probably 70-75 per cent wholesale on our mix. We have strong relationships with our wholesale customers. And when you have those relationships, you're friends with those customers. It's easier to do business with them and you enjoy going to work. And part of my entrepreneurial side is, obviously, Type A — I like to win. And so we continue to grow with that directive.” Unified scores itself highly when it comes to building relationships with its customers. And the proof is in the pudding.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE

UNIFIED PARTS GROUP

FOR WINNING

JOBBER OF THE YEAR NAPA Filters is proud to partner with The Unified Parts Group, of Prince Albert, SK. This team has not only navigated the past year with exceptional success, but they’ve also raised the bar for customer service, innovation and teamwork.

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“I think it definitely has to do with our relationship-building with our customers,” Shkopich said of the reason they stand out from their competition. “How we treat them, what we do for them and how we go about helping them when they're having challenges and helping them solve their problems. We want to be their problem-solver and help them with those issues.” Because, after all, you need to have a vested interest in helping your customers grow. “Because if they grow, you grow as a company,” he added. “It becomes twofold.” Their customers aren’t just customers in the traditional sense either, Trent noted. “They become a friend around here and that's why we keep them life-long.”

The people

As noted, Mark has surrounded him with people personally close to him to bring professional success to his company. Both his kids grew up in the business. “Well, from Grade 9 to Grade 12, it wasn't voluntary,” Trent joked. “After that it became voluntary.”

His brother Monte had a similar story. “I'd get picked up by a delivery vehicle and brought to the store to work. I grew up in it and enjoyed doing it,” he said about turning a high school job into a career. “Then I slowly progressed in the sales side and enjoyed that part.” And when it came time to expand the business on the auto body side, Monte jumped at the chance to lead that area. Mark convinced Shkopich to join him around the year 2000. “It was about 2008 when I moved in to be Mark’s righthand man, and we’ve continued to grow from there,” he said. For Chibi, the family aspect shines through in the company and with the customers. “These are truly local Saskatchewan born and bred people,” he said. “They are a very, very closeknit family. And that's the way they treat their customers as well — as family.” At the end of the day, they’re genuine, Moussa said. “When they give you a promise, they fulfill their promise. They've got a tremendous amount of pride in what they do.” But, Mark pointed out, the success of The Unified Parts Group isn’t because of the four of them. They have a strong team of people from management all the way down. Brock Nahorniak is the company’s general manager, while Ken Hambleton handles warehouse and logistics. Both are key members of the senior leadership team. Then there’s also administration manager Denise Bremner, who has been with the company for 26 years. Meanwhile, Shelley Shirley has been the branch manager in

UNIFIED PARTS GROUP:

CONGRATULATIONS, JOBBER OF THE YEAR! 20

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021

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You have to surround yourself with good people, trusting people and people that are going to be taking the company in the right direction.” Melfort since 1997. And that type of tenure is typical, Mark pointed out — many staff members have been around for 15-26 years. “They've done a heck of a job through this pandemic that's for sure,” Trent said of the staff throughout the company’s locations as they dealt with the effects of COVID-19. “The pressure on the counter staff at all locations was tremendous and they handled it like heroes and what really helped us step through,” Mark added.

COVID-19

Indeed, working through COVID-19 has presented a unique set of challenges, whether for delivery staff, those on the counter or the leadership team. For example, it was sometimes unpredictable as to what

measures shops were taking in protecting themselves and clients, so caution and flexibility were needed. “As an outside salesperson, you never know from shop to shop what it's going to be like,” Shkopich said. In terms of shifting how to do business, much of it switched to using the telephone. For a company that values in-person engagement, it was a change. But they were quick to adapt to those challenges. “I had some video conferencing, but a lot of our customer base isn't into the video conferencing or the virtual meetings yet. So a lot of it was just keeping tabs with them by phone,” Mark said. And Unified saw double-digit growth in 2020, even though driving slowed to a relative crawl and aftermarket retail numbers tumbled that year. “The only report card with anything in business is results and we experienced over a double-digit growth during 2020,” Mark said. “Even under a pandemic environment, we were able to persevere and continue to grow our business and grow our industry and our market.” The natural follow-up question is:

CONGRATULATIONS TO...

The Unified Parts Group on being awarded

JOBBER OF THE YEAR 2021! w w w. a u t o s e r v i c e w o r l d . c o m

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021

Congratulations to Unified Parts Group 2021 Jobber of the Year!

Congratulations Unified Parts Group On winning the 2021 Jobber of the Year Award! 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division thanks you for your support of our mutual sales growth in Saskatchewan. 3MCollision.ca

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021

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Trim: 7.125×4.875

How? The company had always been ahead of the curve in technology. The pandemic just forced the team to lean on it a little more. The infrastructure was there; it was just a matter of maximizing its capabilities. “It made us make sure that we were on top of our game and that side with our customers and our staff,” Trent said. “I think that helped us to grow as well. We really relish that side of it.” Being part of the NAPA family certainly helps, Shkopich pointed out. “They’re always behind us. They're a big factor in helping us achieve our success in where we want to go. Yes, we’re self-driven but they’re also a big part of our success story.”

Technology

The Unified Parts Group has invested big time in technology over the years. Rather than apply cookie-cutter systems in the company, they’ve created their own in some cases. “We created our own CRM program that helped communicate between our sales team, our senior management team and our branch management team. That was something that we implemented that specifically works for our group,” Mark said. While Genuine Parts Company — which owns NAPA Auto Parts — has a server solution in place for those who own multiple stores, Unified added its own on top of that. The five stores can connect with each other quickly to check on whatever they need in other locations. “So when you're in the head office branch or in a hotel or

wherever you are, you can be basically doing anything from your laptop that you would normally do inside the office of one of the stores,” Mark said. The company but took it up a notch with video conferencing as the pandemic made face-to-face meetings impossible. “During that time, we've also been able to recognize how important it is for all aspects of our company — not only the sales division, but even with ops or administrative staff — that we're trying to make sure that our people are using [video conferencing] as often as possible,” Mark added. The company also didn’t sit around and let things get stale during the pandemic. On the body shop side, for example, the company implemented software that allows staff to monitor

u t lations a r g n o C Unified Parts Group Prince Albert, SK

2021 Jobber of the Year We celebrate your commitment and dedication to the NAPA® Brand. We are proud and honored to be partnered with a company known for providing the best quality products to its customers.

Thank you Unified Parts Group. Your success, is our success!

BRAKES

LIFT SUPPORTS

PLUGS w w w. a u t o s e r v i c e w o r l d . c o m

WIPERS

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021

levels of liquids remotely. Checks are done twice a week and orders are taken as needed without having to be on site.

Body shop

During the early days of The Unified Parts Group, you could say the company dabbled on the auto body repair side of things. They had a little more than a handful of customers. But in their constant search for growth opportunities, they saw potential in the body shop side of the aftermarket. “It kind of got to a point in some of our locations where we had the majority of the market in the automotive side already and we needed to look at something different to grow in,” Monte said. “And that was something that

we had lightly touched before. We saw opportunity there and decided to go for it.” The company now serves 27 body shops. This side of the business represents 20% of Unified’s revenue.

Industry, community involvement

An important consideration for the Jobber of the Year Award is how much they work to improve this industry and their community. The Unified Parts Group is fully dedicated to both. On the industry side of things, the company is involved with the Automotive Industries Association of Canada’s Saskatchewan board, the Entrepreneurial Organization, the NAPA Associate Advisory Council and the Saskatchewan Association of Automotive Repairers. In the community, the company is a member of local business organizations and sponsor of the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League. They also help with local charities and food drives, and events like car clubs in their communities. Every community needs businesses to be philanthropic and support local initiatives, Mark said. If businesses like his don’t support minor hockey or charity drives, then they don’t prosper. “Being community-based and community-minded has been part of the culture of our corporation since Day 1." Simply put, they’re community leaders, Chibi said. “They have team members working in each of their communities and living in each of their communities. On the business side, they're leaders; on the community side, they're leaders as well.”

Congratulations The Unified Parts Group on being named Jobber of the Year FROM YOUR PROUD PARTNER

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021

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A X A LT A C O A T I N G S Y S T E M S

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021

COVID CHANGED

EVERYTHING Just ask your customers. We did…

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BAYWATCH

Tank-level monitoring system Graco Inc. has launched the Pulse Level Tank Monitoring system. With multiple tanklevel monitoring technologies available, it runs completely on Wi-Fi. The system, which can also operate through LTE data networks, allows from tracking tank levels, capturing and applying data and allocating inventory quickly and accurately. A tank-level monitoring system measures the amount of fluid in a tank, giving service centers, fleet garages, mining and construction operations, and industrial manufacturing companies more visibility over inventory levels and dispensed fluids. Managers and owners can use the data to simplify procurement, improve profitability and assess the overall performance of crews and technicians.

Disc brake pads An expansion by Continental of its line of ATE Disc Brake Pads now means its products cover 95 per cent of all European vehicles. The company announced the expansion brings the current line count to 293 part numbers that can deliver applications for servicing over 104 million vehicles on the road in the U.S. and Canada. Key applications for both semi-metallic and ceramic formulations include popular models from Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Porsche, Range Rover, Renault, Saab, smart, Volkswagen, and Volvo. www.ate-na.com

Oil for Ford vehicles Liqui Moly has released the Top Tec 6600 to meet new requirements from Ford (WSS M2C 952-A1). The oil specification is primarily required for the 1.5-litre Duratorq TDCI engine. But it can also be used for other vehicles. The oil is officially approved by Mercedes (MB 229.71), Jaguar and Land Rover (STJLR.03.5006) and Opel (OV0401547) and is recommended for General Motors (GM dexos D). In addition, it complies with ACEA C5 and API SP. It is suitable for both gasoline and diesel engines. The product was developed based off the Top Tec 6600, which is approved by BMW. After adapting the formulation, the Ford specification could now be covered. www.liqui-moly.com

www.graco.com

EV wrenches and screwdrivers Cementex has expanded its line of double-insulated torque wrenches and screwdrivers for the electric vehicles industry. The expanded product line allows the user to select the proper tool for the job. The tools have a proprietary two-layer insulation, which offers the greatest possible personal safety for environments in and around energized equipment. These premium-quality tools are rated for applications to 1000 VAC and 1500 VDC and meet or exceed the requirements of OSHA, NFPA 70E and CSA Z462. The double-insulated torque wrenches feature a low-friction torque control mechanism that produces accurate readings in either direction, as well as two calibration adjustments (major and fine) permitting easy and precise torque settings. The doubleinsulated torque screwdrivers feature an antibacklash design for repeatability and a precision micrometer scale calibrated in inch pounds, in increments of 1 inch-lb.

You wouldn’t change the oil without changing the filter...

Why would you change the clutch without changing the hyraulics?

www.cementexusa.com

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BAYWATCH

Wrangler brake pads NRS Brakes is now offering new brake pads engineered for 2018-2021 Jeep Wranglers. Designed to match the adventure and durability of the sport utility vehicle, the new galvanized brake pads from deliver the safety and performance that Wranglers require. The pads come with advanced noise-cancelling piston cushions and shims, best-in-class friction and fully galvanized steel backing plates. The NRS brake pads are the most affordable option based on the total cost of ownership over the life of the vehicle. The galvanized steel withstands rust and corrosion, meaning that the brake pads require significantly fewer replacements than other aftermarket pads. It also comes with a cushion insert for a quiet ride. www.nrsbrakes.com

Cut level work gloves A full range of 1 through 5 American National Standards Institute Cut Level Rated gloves are now available from Milwaukee Tool. The offerings are available in their winter dipped, polyurethane and nitrile styles, the company announced. Winter dipped gloves now see cut levels from 1-5. Milwaukee said they are designed to provide ultimate warmth, all-day comfort and dexterity for handling small objects. Similarly, the polyurethane dipped gloves have been expanded to cut levels 1-5. They are designed to provide comfort all day and allow for touchscreen use through the fingertips. Nitrile dipped gloves also offer full cut levels of 1-5. It has a reinforced nitrile coating between the thumb and index finger for enhanced durability in high wear points. It also comes with touchscreen capabilities through the fingertips. The gloves provide all-day comfort and wick away moisture. www.milwaukeetool.ca

Diesel bypass oil filter kits Frantz Filters now offers an expanded line of Duramax, Cummins and Powerstroke bypass oil filter kits. The company now offers custom designed kits for the most common diesel-powered trucks and vans on the market. The new kit applications include the Ford Powerstroke 6.7L, 7.3L, and dual model kit for the 6.0L/6.4L Powerstroke, and three separate 6.6L Duramax/GMC kits for years 2001-2016, 2017-2019 and the current 2020-2021. Frantz is also proud to introduce a kit for the 5.9L and 6.7L Cummins that can be configured based on model year. With a 4.5-inch depth of filtration the Frantz bypass filter kit filters engine oil 10 times finer than an OEM filter, down to 2 microns. The filter kit installs in under an hour and all necessary hardware is included. The kit is ideal for Class 1-3 trucks and SUVs, especially fleets that require many hours of idling or continual use where oil change maintenance intervals are frequent. www.frantzfilters.com 28

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021

Valve cover saver ProMaxx Tool has launched its new Valve Cover Saver (VCS) Repair Kit for certain Ford engines. Technicians faced with broken ignition coil hold-down bolts on Ford 3.5L EcoBoost and 5.0L Coyote engines can quickly and easily rescue the valve cover without costly replacement of the cover. The VCS kit delivers value by saving independent shops time and money, the company said in an announcement. The VCS system attaches directly to the plastic valve cover. Special machine-grade tooling allows technicians to drill dead center on broken or corroded ignition coil bolts. This allows them to bring the cover back to a better-than-factorynew condition. VCS is available in three versions: ProKit, ProKit Plus, and ProView, which includes a flexible, scoping digital camera. The camera connects wirelessly to a user’s smartphone. The camera can also be used in additional scenarios where visuals are vitally important including exhaust manifold procedures and EGR repairs. www.promaxxtool.com

Air purifier The compact GoPure GP5212 air purifier has been released from Philips. It an remove up to 100 different types of pollutants —including viruses, allergens, bacteria and exhaust gases — and neutralize unpleasant odors in a vehicle. The purifier uses a special 3-layer filter technology In a three-stage process, it captures large particles, uses a HESA (High Efficiency Sorbent Agent) filter then a HEPA filter that remove over 99 per cent of airborne bacteria and virus. The purifier is designed to operate automatically without driver attention. When plugged into the vehicle’s auxiliary power outlet, the unit turns on and off with the vehicle’s ignition. Its two-speed fan can be easily adjusted by the power button. An indicator light signals the need for a filter replacement. Weighing less than two pounds, the purifier is 7 inches long and wide and less than 3 inches high.

www.lumileds.com

RTV silicone Dana has released Victor Reinz Reinzosil room-temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone to the North American market. It is a permanently elastic, universal silicone sealing compound. It is a fast-curing and dependably durable sealant. It is thermally stable in extreme temperatures and suitable for uneven and rough surfaces. It will not shrink or lose weight in highheat environments. Dana noted that extensive testing showed Reinzosil sealant remains pliable and maintains shape after 500-plus hours of high-temperature storage (480°F) and has less weight loss after exposure to 515°F than standard silicones. Reinzosil sealant is available in 70mm and is resistant to fluids, including mineral and synthetic oils, lubricants, gasoline, diesel oil, greases, water and detergents. It is safe for all sensors. www.danaaftermarket.com

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Underhood battery charger Clore Automotive has updated its 1.5 Amp 12-volt underhood battery charger/maintainer, from Solar. It combines fully automatic operation, a permanent mount design and the ability to properly maintain the different batteries found in almost any car, truck, SUV, ATV, motorcycle or personal watercraft application. Model No. 1002 utilizes advanced microprocessor-controlled logic to deliver a fully automatic, precisely controlled charging routine to optimally charge and maintain each battery serviced. It can properly charge virtually any lead acid battery type, including conventional, AGM, gel cell, spiral wound, deep cycle and marine batteries. The charger incorporates numerous features to make charging safer for the operator and the vehicle/battery being charged, including over-voltage protection, reverse polarity protection and battery fault detection. It includes three output options: clamps, rings or 12V male adapter. It also includes battery mounting hardware and a sealed case design, enabling it to be permanently installed in a vehicle for easy recharging.

ADVERTISER INDEX 3M www.3MCollision.ca............................... 22

AIA Canada www.aiacanada.com/asap.html.................. 26

Axalta www.axalta.com................................... 25

BBB www.bbbind.com............................. ...... 21

Brake Parts Inc. – Raybestos www.raybestos.com................................. 2

Continental www.continentalaftermarket.com.......... ...... 10

East Penn www.eastpenncanada.com.. ................ ..... 25

www.cloreautomotive.com

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YPA SPOTLIGHT

Jen Fox

Young Professionals in the Aftermarket (YPA) is an organization with a mission to act as the voice and the resource for the young professionals in the automotive industry. To further its mandate of ensuring the future growth and prosperity of the industry, the YPA is pleased to introduce it’s YPA Spotlight Series where current members share their experiences, insights and industry outlooks. Name: Jen Fox Company: Auto Electric Service Ltd. Title: Corporate Development & Marketing Manager Number of years in the aftermarket: 7.5

Did you know you wanted to work in the automotive aftermarket?

Can I say yes and no? I grew up with a lot of exposure to the automotive aftermarket as my father and grandfather were both major shareholders and eventually president of Auto Electric Service Ltd. Growing up, we were always told just because they worked there and had the roles they did, did not mean that my brother or I would. So it was never really a consideration to begin with. However, things have come full circle and, now as a shareholder myself, there is nowhere I would rather be. It is such a dynamic and intricate industry with so much change, challenge and potential. There is never a dull moment.

Have you had an industry mentor? If so, who and why

I think I have been fortunate to have many industry mentors at many different levels. I was able to grow up watching my grandfather and my father in the business and industry and see the paths they took, and what worked for them and what maybe didn’t work so well. I also currently have an amazing group of people who I work very closely with who have spent their entire careers in the aftermarket and so willingly share their knowledge and leadership with me. Further away, I kind of secretly online stalked Mary Barra who was the first female CEO of an auto manufacturer when she became chair and CEO of General Motors.

What does your participation in the YPA mean to you? What would like to see us as a committee achieve in years to come?

The YPA has been a fantastic opportunity for me to not only build relationships and increase my knowledge in our industry but also help shape the future of the industry through things like Student Aftermarket Day and other educational development initiatives.

How long have you been part of the YPA (formerly known as the YES Committee)?

This is my first year on the committee and it has been a fantastic experience.

What advice would you give someone either starting in the industry or looking to transition into the industry?

I would say just go for it. The industry is so diverse and has so many different opportunities no matter who you are, what you are good at and what you want to do, there is more opportunity in the automotive industry then you can even imagine. 30

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