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Aftermarket Daily News SEMA Nov 7 2013

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A f t e r m a r k e t D a i l y N e w s T h u r s d a y, N o v e m b e r 7 , 2 0 1 3 4 4 becomes difficult to consistently get it right and operate at optimal efficiency. An effective and proven way to succeed in this effort is by implementing GPS and delivery management software in your dispatch operations. Most companies spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on point of sale and warehouse management systems, but neglect to measure or manage their deliv- ery business. With the technology avail- able today, WD's can manage to promised SLA's to maintain high customer service while at the same time understanding the time to serve and cost to serve detail for every customer. Users of delivery track- ing software reduce costs by getting more out the door with each run, and dramati- cally improve driver performance with driver accountability tools. Distributors that utilize delivery dis- patch and scheduling software immedi- ately increase their operational efficiency because of the 360 degree visibility pro- vided to support better scheduling deci- sions. Real time visibility for everyone in the organization means the dispatcher can keep focused on dispatching, while your customer receives better service. Information is available to everyone, including directly to your customers via real time ETA information through an available web portal. Most WD's get between 1.1 to 1.5 orders on each hotshot delivery run. Users of delivery management systems get more orders on each delivery run through better combining/routing deci- sions. On average, dispatch operational groups see an increase of nearly one order per trip. The ability to deliver more orders with the same or fewer DQ Technologies (Cont'd. from p. 1) drivers has the dual effect of reducing delivery expense while adding to and improving customer communication and satisfaction. Integrated GPS tracking allows man- agement to identify the drivers who are consistently performing at high or low levels, allowing the business to bench- mark effective delivery practices for future measurement. "Given 1,500 orders a day, no one has time to monitor the GPS map for driver compliance," says Ron Brody of Associated Auto Parts. "By focusing on the exceptions, we can identify the driv- ers who are not meeting expectations and figure out why." Adding optional tools like Portable Navigation Devices (PND), such as a Garmin or an Android with a mobile app, provides turn-by-turn directions allowing drivers to avoid wrong turns and other delivery delays. Features such as signature and picture capture provide even tighter management and better cus- tomer service, with the potential to greatly reduce overhead related to paper invoice management. Dispatch and delivery solutions are an investment that quickly pays for itself. It provides a platform for an immediate increase in delivery performance, an enhanced culture of accountability and improved customer communication. All this adds up to impressive dispatch and delivery results, tremendous potential for fuel savings and important gains in oper- ational savings. For more information about DQ Technologies, Inc., visit booth 3761 at AAPEX 2013, go online to www.dqtech.co, call 512-2488324 or email jill.kinman@dqtech.com. began when Andy was working in the hunting industry and needed to lift his truck for hunting in eastern Oregon for mule deer and Rocky Mountain elk, and Randy was working in the suspension industry and needed some great hunting optics to pursue the same game. These guys are the real deal: avid rig builders, off-roaders, hunters and sportsmen. "We know our customers and the kind of gear we would want as fellow sportsmen, and that drives everything we build," says company founder Andy York. "We optimize the performance of each system while maintaining OEM specified geometry. We study each vehicle, rip it apart and put it back together again to identify all of the components that need to be designed to work together, as a system, to build the ultimate kit." Partner Randy Haflich adds, "We understand how all of the suspension components interact with each other, and have implemented an integrated design approach that takes the per- formance of our vehicle suspension systems to the next level. You can see it in our components. The intelligence is evident in both the complexity and simplicity of our parts; engineered to the nth degree for ultimate perform- ance, yet simple to install in a mini- mum amount of time." Prolift Suspension (Cont'd. from p. 1) Prolift Suspension is just as passion- ate about suspension systems and the role it plays in building your rig, as the com- pany is about the heritage of hunting, fishing and the great outdoors. These industry-leading suspension and leveling kits are designed to be rugged and durable, to equip the rigs of sportsmen everywhere as they attack the trail. Prolift Suspension is equally com- mitted to manufacturing the majority of their components in America to keep jobs here. American sportsmen, American workers. Prolift has the skills and the craftsmanship to get the job done right. Prolift is so confident in its products that it offers its industry-leading Square Deal Guarantee – basically guaranteed for life. Prolift will be there to work with you and support you through installation as you build your rig. Prolift wants to earn your business and your trust, one customer and one kit at a time. Prolift Suspension has kits for Chevy/GMC, Dodge RAM, Ford, Jeep, Nissan and Toyota. Prolift suspension has the gear to help sportsmen build their rig for the ultimate off-road adventure, whether that is off-roading, camping, hunting or fishing. No matter what your off-road passion is, Prolift Suspension allows you to attack the trail. For more information, visit booth 34219 at SEMA, go online to www.prolift suspension.com or call 503-543-5515. front between two entrances, including the main convention center doors. That's no accident: We have a lot to offer and want to ensure current and future cus- tomers get to know us better. Our booth is bright, bold and mod- ern, filled with touchscreens, kiosks and videos. Six sections highlight our world- class training and e-business tools, award- winning ACDelco-licensed tools and a dedicated Professional Service Center area where customers can learn the busi- ness benefits of partnering with us. A rolling chassis with color-coded parts rep- resents our vast lineup of GM OE parts, and Professional and Advantage parts for most makes and models. And for fun, we brought the Indy Pace Car, the new 2014 Corvette Stingray. AMDN: What distinguishes ACDelco from competitors? CC: I'll begin with 100-plus years of automotive aftermarket leadership and portfolio of 90,000 parts for most makes and models, ranging from GM Original Equipment to Professional and Advantage. Behind every ACDelco part is world-class technology, including longer-lasting, GM-exclusive FNC (Ferritic Nitro-Carburizing – extended life anti-corrosive) rotors, six-speed automatic transmission control modules that independent providers can reflash, and more. Our support helps our service shops drive growth and efficiency while respecting their independence. ACDelco Professional Service Center Program participants get great parts, industry- leading technician training, creative point-of-sale materials, e-business and marketing support, purchase rewards through easy-to-use promotions and expanded consumer assurance such as towing and parts/labor reimbursement. AMDN: What new marketing are you doing? ACDelco (Cont'd. from p. 1) CC: We took a look at the market and at ourselves, and concluded one of our greatest strengths is the trust distribu- tors and independent service centers have in our products, our history and our brand support – attributes many of our competitors lack. We're leveraging this in our "Trust is Earned" marketing platform. We've added regional service chains, and they're helping our distribu- tors grow sales. Chains that buy our parts receive training, a diagnostic hotline, dis- counts on GM Service Information sub- scriptions, marketing support and more. We're reaching consumers by target- ing influencers – those who know cars and recommend products to friends and family. We're also energizing the brand for younger professionals by supporting NATEF (National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation) and GM ASEP (Automotive Service Educational Program). Terrific job opportunities await young, trained tech- nicians, and we want them to learn more about ACDelco products and support, whether they work with our distributor and shop partners or other facilities. AMDN: Are rising new-car sales affect- ing the aftermarket? CC: We have two things in our favor: We're the only GM OE provider, yet our portfolio also services most other makes and models. The average vehicle is a decade old, so it's still a good time to be in the independent aftermarket. AMDN: What is your favorite aspect of AAPEX? CC: I enjoy talking to customers and sharing ACDelco's benefits with prospective customers. This business is a contact sport, and you can't win if you don't play. For more information, visit b4409 at AAPEX, go online to www.acdelco.com or call 800-ACDelco. AUDYSSEY BASSXT HITS THE ROAD Audyssey BassXT is a completely new development for improving a speaker's ability to deliver bass. Most bass-enhanc- ing technology works with a simple stat- ic bass boast. This can make the bass sound muddy and introduce other audio artifacts. Another strategy is to use high- er frequency harmonics of low notes to give the feeling of deeper bass. Audyssey BassXT takes a different approach to truly deliver lower notes and better bass. Audyssey uses technology to control the woofer. Since deeper notes are made by pushing more air, Audyssey monitors the song and, on the fly, allows the woofer to move farther when low notes are played. The more the woofer moves, the lower the notes it can play. In the past, manufacturers used large diameter woofers to move air, but BassXT is an innovation that sets a new standard. Audyssey's technology works in real time and produces full rich sound for a much better listening experience. The result of using Audyssey BassXT means smaller systems can match the per- formance of larger ones that use dedicated subwoofers. That is very good news, espe- cially for car manufacturers these days. As the price of gas goes up, so too does the demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. To deliver the greatest amount of mileage, car manufacturers look for improvement every- where, even in the entertainment section. One of the best features of Audyssey BassXT is its efficiency. Deep bass with- out a subwoofer requires much less ener- gy, saves on weight and offers more flex- ibility in design. All of these things add up to significant fuel savings. Now driv- ers can enjoy great sound and more miles on the road. Who knew audio technology would also be so green? For more information on Audyssey BassXT, check out www.audyssey.com/audio-tech- nology/bassxt or visit www.audyssey.com.

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