AMN Drivetime
AMN Drivetime is a podcast from Babcox Media that explores the automotive aftermarket industry. Hosted by Babcox Media CEO Bill Babcox, it features candid one-on-one conversations with top aftermarket drivers and industry leaders. Guests share their experiences, career lessons, and insights into the people and trends shaping the industry. New episodes are released bi-monthly.
Episodes
Episode 98: MEMA's Emily Poladian Details the 2027 Top Suppliers Directory
Emily Poladian, president of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, said the MEMA Top Suppliers 2027 Directory is designed to recognize supplier impact across the aftermarket, rather than simply company size. The initiative highlights suppliers that are investing in their businesses, driving innovation, advancing advocacy and contributing to the broader industry. Poladian said the goal is to provide greater
Episode 97: Automotive Parts Services Group CEO Jeff Koviak on Multiplying Successes
Koviak said he views consolidation as an inevitable evolution that can ultimately make the independent aftermarket stronger and more competitive. While ownership structures are changing, Koviak said the fundamental business remains relatively stable, with service centers, jobbers, warehouse distributors and suppliers continuing to move parts through the supply chain.Rather than becoming distracte
Episode 96: MotoRad CEO Matt Buchholz on Aligning Values
Buchholz described how the company’s D.R.I.V.E. core values — Dedication, Relationship, Innovation, Value Driven and Expertise — provide the cultural foundation for how its team operates internally and engages with customers and channel partners.He emphasized that culture and strategy are closely connected. By aligning teams around common values and empowering employees to live them every day, he
Episode 95: Litens Aftermarket's Scott Howat on Being a Brand Champion
Howat said the company's engineering-driven approach is what differentiates its belt drive tensioners.With a history of innovation dating back to its founder's invention of the first belt tensioner in 1979, Litens has developed an extensive portfolio of patented technologies. Unlike manufacturers focused primarily on individual components, Litens engineers complete belt drive systems, with the ten
Episode 94: Continental Tire Head of Marketing Brian Beierwaltes on Driving Brand Promise
Brian Beierwaltes, head of marketing, U.S. Passenger & Light Truck, Continental Tire, said he has institutionalized a simple question within the company — “Does this sell tires?” — as a key filter for marketing decisions. More specifically, it's about whether such decisions help Continental Tire's dealer customers sell more tires and grow their business. Beierwaltes said the mindset helps the
Episode 93: Cloyes Chairman, President and CEO John Hanighen on Being the ‘Gold Standard’
Hanighen discusses how Cloyes leverages its OE engineering heritage by developing aftermarket solutions that make repairs more efficient for technicians.One of the company's most significant innovations has been its timing kit strategy, which packages all required components into a single solution to help technicians complete repairs correctly the first time while reducing warranty claims. Hanighe
Episode 92: Premium Guard CEO Anan Bishara on Best-in-Class Solutions
This episode of DriveTime features Anan Bishara, founder & CEO, Premium Guard, Inc.Following Premium Guard's acquisition of key intellectual property and related assets from First Brands Group, Bishara said the company's strategy for revitalizing legacy brands—including Autolite, FRAM, TRICO, ANCO, LuberFiner and StrongArm—was built around three priorities: people, intellectual property and ph
Episode 91: Gates' Americas President Tom Pitstick on Being Driven by Possibility
In this episode of DriveTime, Tom Pitstick, president, Americas, Gates Corporation talks about the company’s “Driven by Possibility” motto that influences not only his leadership approach and strategic direction with the aftermarket, but also how his teams are driven to support customers from the shop level all the way up to its big distribution partners.
Episode 90: FORVIA HELLA President and Managing Director Mike DeWitt on 'Zero Failures' Benchmark
In this episode of DriveTime, Mike DeWitt, president and managing director, FORVIA HELLA, explains that the combination of HELLA with Faurecia under the FORVIA umbrella represents a strategic evolution that brings together two highly regarded Tier 1 suppliers with complementary strengths in innovation, engineering and quality.
Episode 89: D-A Lubricant Company EVP John Noal on Synthetic Supply Constraints
D-A Lubricant’s John Noal discusses synthetic shortages, rising costs and how supply chain issues are impacting service and inventory decisions.
Episode 88: MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers' President Emily Poladian on Driving Value
In this episode of DriveTime, Emily Poladian, president of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, talks about her admiration for the aftermarket after a successful 27-year career at Bridgestone where she led two different business units. Despite its size and influence, she says the industry maintains a close-knit, relationship-driven culture that makes her feel right at home.On Right-to-Repair legislation, P
Episode 87: MPA VP of Sales Ron Aparicio on 'Honoring the Sales Cycle'
In this episode of DriveTime, Ron Aparicio, vice president of sales, Motorcar Parts of America (MPA) discusses how the company is reinforcing its position in the aftermarket by focusing on relationship-driven sales, customer alignment and product quality rooted in both new and remanufactured offerings. He said success in today’s environment depends on “honoring the sales cycle,” meaning respecting
Episode 86: NTN Bearing Corp. President and CEO Tom Mohrdieck on Premium Brands
In this episode of DriveTime, Tom Mohrdieck, president and CEO, NTN Bearing Corporation of America, discusses how the company is leveraging the OEM pedigree it built over 108 years in OEM and industrial markets, according to Tom Mohrdieck. He said the company has spent the last decade investing in aftermarket growth, with a global goal of generating 40% of turnover from the aftermarket by 2035.
Episode 85: Schwartz Advisors' Co-Founder and CEO Rick Schwartz on the Next Wave of VIO Growth
In this episode of DriveTime, Rick Schwartz, Co-Founder and CEO, Schwartz Advisors, talks about Schwartz Advisors’ new VIO forecast report, the SA Mobility Aftermarket Report, is designed to give the industry a clearer picture of where the vehicle fleet is headed by analyzing the VIO by powertrain rather than relying only on total vehicle count.Schwartz said simply citing a U.S. parc nearing 290 m
Episode 84: NEXUS' Robert Roos and Thierry Mugnier on Global Collaboration
In this episode of DriveTime, Robert Roos, president and CEO of the Pronto Network, as well as president of NEXUS North America, and Thierry Mugnier, the co-founder and chief finance and innovation officer at Nexus Automotive International, discuss the Nexus Business Forum in Lausanne, Switzerland, and the growing importance of global collaboration across the automotive aftermarket.The event broug
Episode 83: Advance Auto Parts President & CEO Shane O'Kelly on Saying 'Yes' to Customers
Advance Auto Parts President & CEO Shane O'Kelly on Saying 'Yes' to CustomersIn this episode of DriveTime, Shane O’Kelly, president and CEO of Advance Auto Parts, discusses how the company's blended box strategy remains central to the company’s direction, serving both professional installers and DIY customers. He said the model is built around three pillars: right parts, right place and right
Episode 82: U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno Addresses Right to Repair and First Brands Fallout
Sen. Bernie Moreno, a native of Colombia, and former owner of 15 Mercedes-Benz dealerships, shared his thoughts on the importance of Right to Repair legislation to the automotive aftermarket and how the REPAIR Act (H.R. 1566) could gain more traction. He believes progress will depend on broad agreement across the entire industry and stressed that any policy must prioritize vehicle safety and ensur
Episode 81: YANG Chair Tanya Hunt on Being an Aftermarket Ambassador
In this episode of DriveTime, Tanya Hunt, YANG Chair and Commercial Project Manager, TERREPOWER, discussed the features and benefits of Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG) membership. She highlighted how YANG continues to expand networking and professional development opportunities for emerging leaders in the automotive aftermarket.
Episode 80: AACF Executive Director John Kairys on ‘Taking Care of Our Own’
In this episode of DriveTime, John Kairys, executive director, Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation, talks about the AACF’s origin, reach and significance in the automotive aftermarket.Kairys emphasizes that while the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) has evolved significantly since its founding in 1959, its mission remains unchanged: helping industry members facing finan
Episode 79: MANN+HUMMEL Filtration Director of Sales Jeff Blocher on ‘Grabbing Mindshare’
In this episode of DriveTime, Jeff Blocher, Director of Sales, Traditional Aftermarket, MANN+HUMMEL Filtration, talked about MANN+HUMMEL’s brand lineup (MANN, WIX and Purolator) and the unique brand strengths that differentiate the company’s products in the competitive automotive filtration category.Blocher also discussed how the company prioritizes education in the field to ensure customers choos
Episode 78: DRiV VP and GM of US, Canada Joseph Saoud on Setting Expectations
In this episode of DriveTime, Joseph Saoud, VP and GM of US, Canada at DRiV discussed the principles he believes are most essential to driving growth and delivering exceptional service for DRiV customers.It starts with a great team — and how you lead them, how you set the right expectations, how you put the right people in the right role and how you track performance, Saoud explained.
Episode 77: Morgan Stanley Managing Director Simeon Gutman on the ‘Big Getting Bigger’
Morgan Stanley Managing Director Simeon Gutman breaks down the real forces shaping today’s automotive aftermarket—from tariff uncertainty and pricing pressure to shifting consumer behavior and the accelerating “big getting bigger” trend. Gutman explains the stark divide between large public companies with sophisticated analytics and smaller private businesses still wrestling with inventory movemen
Episode 76: SEMA & PRI CEO Mike Spagnola on ‘Giving Back’
Mike Spagnola is passionate about ensuring that SEMA gives back to the community by helping bring the next generation of students successfully into the industry. One way is through the SEMA scholarship program that it gives out hundreds of thousands of dollars to students every single year, Spagnola said.“We offer a scholarship program for students. I’m really passionate about that. My ability to
Episode 75: ASE President and CEO Dave Johnson on Growing Your Own
In this episode of DriveTime, Dave Johnson, president and CEO, ASE discusses how ASE is adapting its certification programs to keep pace with technological advancements in vehicle systems.ASE will be restructuring its certifications to better align with where the industry’s going, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) and ADAS categories.
Episode 74: J-B Weld Chairman and CEO Chip Hanson on Answering Market Demand
In this episode of DriveTime, Chip Hanson, Chairman and CEO of J-B Weld Company, discusses the wide appeal of the company’s line of J-B Weld adhesives. Hanson explains how the company is preparing to launch a new adhesives for professionals to meet growing demand and expand beyond the DIY market.
Episode 73: Stefan Feder, Head of Automotive Aftermarket, North America Continental, Sector Automotive
In this episode of DriveTime, Stefan Feder discusses Continental Automotive’s new independent company, now called AUMOVIO. He leads the Automotive Aftermarket, North America, for Continental.Feder explains what the AUMOVIO Continental Spinoff means for the company’s brands and the customers it serves. He believes the automotive industry is undergoing a huge transformation.“There are a lot of big m
Episode 72: NAPA Chief People Officer Cassie Bell on Leveraging Collaboration
In this episode of DriveTime, Cassie Bell, chief people officer at NAPA, discusses the automotive technician shortage. She explains how big of a gap she predicts over the next few years.Looking ahead to 2027, Bell said the industry lacks about 800,000 techs. “So, if you want perspective that’s about the size of Atlanta and if we think about the population there,” Bell said.
Episode 71: NAPA Director of Auto Care Programs Matt Crumpton on XR Training
In this episode of DriveTime, Matt Crumpton discusses his work with 18,000+ NAPA Auto Care centers across the U.S. He serves as director of auto care programs at NAPA Auto Parts. He highlights the most urgent training needs, including ADAS Training for Technicians, and extended reality tools for emerging aftermarket technologies.Crumpton pointed to ADAS as one of the most exciting emerging technol
Episode 70: NAPA Senior Director of Marketing Emily Schneider on ‘Getting Back to Our Roots’
In this episode of DriveTime, Emily Schneider, senior director of marketing at NAPA Auto Parts, discusses the NAPA Know How Campaign. She also talks about the company's emphasis on B2B customers and its 100th anniversary celebrations this year.NAPA defines the professional technician as its core customer—the person who throws away the NAPA box every day. This focus on B2B customers sparked a strat
Episode 69: NA Williams President and CEO Chris Williams on Being Best in Class
In this episode of DriveTime, Chris Williams shares insights on the value of Automotive Aftermarket Brands and their importance in today’s industry. He is the President and CEO of NA Williams, a 4th-generation, family-owned business.Williams explains what companies must do to stay relevant, engaging and profitable in the current landscape. According to Williams, companies must adapt and focus on b
Episode 68: NAPA SVP of Product & Marketing Danny Huffaker on Disrupting the Market
In this episode of DriveTime, Danny Huffaker discusses the Carlyle Tools Reimagined campaign and the brand’s bold new direction. He is the SVP of Product & Marketing at NAPA Auto Parts. He talks about how the Carlyle Tool brand is being “reimagined.”“The Carlyle Tool program has been around for a while, but we realized that it was time to really innovate and disrupt the market with this, for l
Episode 67: Wells VP Sales and Marketing David Stewart on Building Brand Awareness
In this episode of DriveTime, David Stewart, VP Sales and Marketing, Wells Vehicle Electronics, talks about the company's new branding initiative, and how he plans to re-introduce Wells to the aftermarket.Reintroducing a Legacy BrandStewart said his passion has been to bring the Wells Vehicle Electronics brand to the forefront for technicians and distributors. Some of younger generation may not be
Episode 66: NAPA Auto Parts VP of Auto Care Jason Rainey on Quality over Quantity
In this episode of DriveTime, Jason Rainey, VP of Auto Care, NAPA Auto Parts, discusses the recent NAPA NOW event and the NAPA Auto Care Center program. He also explains what it takes to become a NAPA Gold-Certified shop.Rainey described the NAPA NOW event as an educational experience. “So, the thing that I really have liked about this event is it’s truly something you just have to experience. I’v
Episode 65: GPC North America Group President Randy Breaux on Defining a Winning Formula
In this episode of DriveTime, Randy Breaux, Group President, GPC North America, discusses the four key tenets necesssary for business success and high-performance team building. They are vision, strategy, structure and culture.“With regard to our vision, we created a new vision and that was to be the trusted provider of automotive parts and solutions. And that remains the vision. And it’s very sim
Episode 60: Filotimo Foundation Founder Pete Proimos on Cystic Fibrosis Support
In this episode of DriveTime, Pete Proimos, founder of the Filotimo Foundation, discusses his former aftermarket career at AP Emissions Technologies and the next facet of his life that supports cystic fibrosis.After Pete finished college, briefly attended law school and quickly realized that career wasn’t for him, his father Vange advised him to work in the company’s distribution center. Pete work
Episode 61: YANG Chairman Matt Fowler on Making Aftermarket Connections
In this episode of DriveTime, Matt Fowler, Chairman of the Young Auto Care Network (YANG) and Account Executive at Ubisense, discusses his background in digital assets and then delves into his sales role at Ubisense, which uncovers hidden process data via its tracking technology to boost company productivity.Fowler says the most interesting, coolest thing about the aftermarket is that it is a very
Episode 62: O’Reilly Auto Parts’ CEO Brad Beckham on Company Culture and Staying Grounded
In this episode of DriveTime, Brad Beckham, CEO of O’Reilly Auto Parts, discusses how he got into the business at 17 years old, sweeping floors and putting up stock in an O’Reilly Auto Parts store in Oklahoma. It was 1996 and, at that time, O’Reilly had less than 200 stores. Over time working in that store, he became a parts specialist and still remembers the 16 feet of paper catalog racks on the
Episode 63: MEMA Execs Bill Long and Paul McCarthy on Navigating Uncertainty with Optimism
In this episode of DriveTime, as the VISION conference kicked off in Chicago, Bill Long, president and CEO of MEMA, The Vehicle Suppliers Association, and Paul McCarthy, president of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, addressed supplier sentiment about the current state of the aftermarket, describing it as a mix of urgency and cautious optimism. Industry leaders agree there’s never been a more critical t
Episode 64: PHINIA VP and GM Russ Stebbins on Powering a Carbon-Free Future
In this episode of DriveTime, Russ Stebbins, VP and GM, North American Aftermarket at PHINIA, talks about the company’s vision to lead the transformation toward a sustainable, carbon-free future in the automotive aftermarket. The company has historically focused on internal combustion engine (ICE) solutions. It is now actively advancing new initiatives to support the industry’s shift toward sustai
Episode 59: Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance President and CEO JC Washbish on Working Hard and Being Nice
In this episode of DriveTime, JC Washbish discusses the familiarity of the Washbish name, the esteemed aftermarket heritage that goes along with it and how he got started in the industry.JC comes from a long lineage in the automotive aftermarket, proudly being the fourth generation involved in the business. His career in the automotive aftermarket began at NGK Spark Plugs, where he managed distrib
Episode 58: NexaMotion Group CEO Neil Sethi on Keeping the World Moving
In this episode of Drivetime, Sethi highlights NexaMotion Group’s mission to simplify complex vehicle repair and support the broader industry through innovation. At the heart of NMG’s strategy are its core values—commitment, humility, optimism, integrity and respect—which are deeply ingrained in the company’s culture and operations. This commitment to values is reflected in its continuous efforts
Episode 57: DRiV President Chintan Sopariwala on Making Bold Moves
In this episode of Drivetime, Sopariwala describes how DRiV, the aftermarket division of Tenneco, is focused on making bold, innovative moves within the automotive aftermarket. A prime example of this is the company’s implementation of cutting-edge automation technology at its AutoStore facility in Smyrna, Tennessee, DRiV’s largest distribution center for the U.S. and Canada. The facility utilizes
Episode 56: MANN+HUMMEL SVP Marco Faulenbach on Filter Innovation
In this episode of Drivetime, Marco Faulenbach, senior vice president, aftermarket Americas, MANN+HUMMEL delves into how the company has established itself as a leader in filtration. With an emphasis on advanced engineering, R&D and innovation, MANN+HUMMEL invests heavily in the development of filtration media. Through its global production facilities, MANN+HUMMEL produces 32 filters every sec
Episode 55: Advance Auto Parts President & CEO Shane O’Kelly Defines ‘Blended Box’ Strategy
In this episode of Drivetime, Shane O’Kelly, president and CEO of Advance Auto Parts, discusses several key strategic moves for the company, most notably the sale of Worldpac and the continuing importance of the Carquest brand. The decision to divest Worldpac allows Advance to focus more directly on its “blended box” strategy, which targets both DIY and professional customers, O’Kelly explained. O
Episode 54: DMA’s President, CEO John Treece on Being a Solutions Provider
In this episode of Drivetime, John Treece, president and CEO of DMA Industries LLC, credits his company’s exponential growth over the last 10 years to his management team and the group of associates who work there. “It takes a collaborative, strong leadership team and everybody being on the same page and focused around the customer,” Treece said. “Our differentiator is being a flexible, nimble com
Episode 53: Full-Circle Leadership with Goodyear CEO Mark Stewart
For Mark Stewart, becoming CEO and President of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was a lifetime dream realized. Stewart grew up with his father working at the Dunlop Tire plant (owned by Goodyear) and spent his afternoons after school in his grandfather’s repair shop surrounded by the car parts he now helps create and sell. “I got a call from Goodyear more than a year and a half ago now. I’v
Episode 52: Corteco’s Dr. Christian Dickopf on Keeping Talent in the Aftermarket
In this episode of Drivetime, Dr. Christian Dickopf, senior vice president, Corteco Division at Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies, shared his perspective on the evolving automotive aftermarket industry and the essential factors for career success. With more than 18 years of experience at Freudenberg Group, Corteco’s parent company, his journey from product development to leadership underscores
Episode 51: Jayme Farina on Leadership, Mentorship and Driving Innovation
In this episode of Drivetime, we welcome Jayme Farina, Executive Vice President at AP Emissions, to share his career journey and insights into the automotive aftermarket industry. Farina reflects on his upbringing in West Texas, his education at Texas Tech and how he was introduced to the industry. He talks about his early career experiences, highlighting the importance of mentorship and how guida
Episode 50: Driving the Aftermarket’s Digital Future with Gideon Williams
Gideon Williams remembers his entrance into the aftermarket world, initially viewing it as a lucky accident. Since then, he has risen to head the Aftermarket Division at Revolution Parts. His experience, he noted, has given him a bird’s-eye view of the industry, which he describes as a blend of “blue-collar grit and white-collar strategy, driven by technology” and a relentless focus on innovation.
Episode 49: Driving Mentorship with Mike Fiorito
Success in the automotive aftermarket often stems from humble beginnings and a deep understanding of the industry. Mike Fiorito, the current Director of KYB Americas, exemplifies this journey. His career in the aftermarket began unexpectedly when he took a job as a production and inventory controller at Edelman after graduating from college. Although his background was in marketing, this role prov
Ep. 48: Roger McCollum, UAF Chairman, Talks Education Impact on the Aftermarket
Roger McCollum is in his first year as chairman of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. The veteran aftermarket industry executive was elected as chairman in November of 2023, replacing longtime chair Bob Egan, who transitioned to the role of chairman emeritus. Before becoming chairman at UAF, McCollum spent more than three decades with N.A. Williams in a number of roles. He was named vic
Ep. 47: Randy Breaux, Group President, GPC North America, Talks to AMN Drivetime
Growing up in South Louisiana, Randy Breaux started working young, inspired by his machinist father and grandfather. His formal career began after college, spending 26 years in manufacturing, with 21 of those at Baldor Electric Company. Following its acquisition by a European firm in 2011, he transitioned to the distribution side, joining Motion, a division of Genuine Parts Company.At Motion, Brea
Ep. 46: Mike Mohler: Being an Aftermarket Catalyst
For Mike Mohler, it all began in Monroe, Louisiana, where he worked for his father, Ray. Throughout high school and college, he honed his skills at the family’s warehouse distribution center, mastering tasks like loading trucks, receiving stock, and managing the will-call counter.Graduating from high school in 1984 and college in 1989, Mohler gained a thorough understanding of how a warehouse dist
Ep. 45: Cal Ganda’s Continental Journey: From Manufacturing to Aftermarket Leadership
Cal Ganda’s path from Zimbabwe to leading aftermarket distribution at Continental’s ContiTech Group is a testament to seizing opportunities and embracing change. Arriving in the U.S. in 1998 for university, he ventured into food manufacturing post-graduation before diving into consulting.A chance encounter with Continental during a consulting project in Mexico led Cal to discover an opportunity in
Ep. 44: At the Intersection of Tradition and Innovation with Grace Hovis
Grace Hovis's journey in the family business, Hovis Auto and Truck Supply, highlights the balance between honoring tradition and seeking innovation. Founded in 1952, Hovis Auto and Truck Supply Inc. has evolved from a small operation into a major player in the automotive parts distribution space. This evolution was fueled by a willingness to adapt and innovate, a lesson Grace learned from an early
Ep. 43 Bill Long: The Future of MEMA
As MEMA commemorates its 120th anniversary, it's an opportunity to reflect on the organization's profound impact on the automotive aftermarket industry. Founded on March 2, 1904, MEMA has evolved from a modest gathering of parts manufacturers in Cleveland, to a pivotal force in the global automotive landscape. In this episode of AMN Drivetime, sponsored by AISIN, Bill Long, president and chief exe
Ep. 42 Jon Owens: The Personal and Professional Rewards of Aftermarket Volunteer Opportunities
Serendipity led Jon Owens, national sales manager for Epicor, to find the automotive aftermarket. Jon started out in sales for Timken Roller Bearing in Canton, Ohio, and describes finding the aftermarket after graduating from college as being in the right place at the right time. However, it wasn’t until he took over the NAPA Auto Parts account for Timken and started going to meetings, such as the
Ep. 41 DRiV’s Jeff Koviak: Strategies for a Changing Aftermarket
Jeff Koviak describes his “master’s degree” in the automotive aftermarket as owning two muffler shops in Port Huron, Michigan, for a few years. He was at the ripe, young age of 24 and this stint came after he served as a Walker Exhaust territory manager with Tenneco in Detroit.Koviak calls that his first official job in the aftermarket, but in reality, his first experience in our industry dates ba
MANN+HUMMEL's Kurk Wilks: How Product Innovation Fuels Trust & Reliability
In its 81 years in business, MANN+HUMMEL has prided itself on being family-owned, remaining steadfast to its mission: separating the useful from the harmful with its filtration products. Yet, over the years, its products have evolved as the company has innovated to meet the demands of its customers. About 25 years ago, the innovation and heritage of MANN+HUMMEL attracted its current president and
CRP's Mike Palm: How Close Customer Ties Yields Success
When Mike Palm tells you he's a jack of all trades at CRP Industries, he's not lying. Just look at his resume. He started with the company in 1986 as a graduate of Shippensburg University, just outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He found a marketing assistant job at CRP through a newspaper ad. In the early days, he became involved in product development, digging into vehicles to look at parts th
Jeff Kritzer Details BendPak’s 40-Year Evolution
When you’ve worked for a company for more than 40 years, you certainly know “where the bodies are buried,” as they say. But more fascinating, you’re a walking history book, seeing the company through its ups and downs, successes and flops and stellar innovations that have defined the next generation of the aftermarket.Jeff Kritzer, president and CEO of BendPak, is one of those guys.Kritzer started
Building Strength Through Industry Partnerships with AWDA's Ted Hughes
As a 30-plus-year automotive aftermarket veteran, Ted Hughes has seen change after change in the industry. He's experienced countless technological improvements. During his almost 24 years as head of marketing for MAHLE, he charged head-first into the digital era -- embracing digital media, e-commerce and a "data is king" mindset. Yet despite the evolution of the industry, one aspect has remained
M&A Trends Affecting the Aftermarket with Rick Schwartz of Schwartz Advisors
The Schwartz name is synonymous with the automotive aftermarket. It started with Mort Schwartz, an engineer by training who served as chairman and CEO of four different automotive aftermarket companies from the 60s to the 90s. Mort's service to the aftermarket, including as a member and chair of various aftermarket committees, spans more than 40 years, and now his son, Rick, is following in his fo
The 4 P's of GSP North America's Growth with COO Michael Ceritano
Michael Ceritano's resume includes an array of positions from around the aftermarket: marketing manager, car wash consultant, owner of an auto accessory business, aftermarket sales director and now COO. With a career spanning 30-plus years in the automotive aftermarket, Ceritano has used his industry expertise combined with his business savvy and willingness to learn new skills to grow GSP North A
Autologue’s Jim Franco: Opportunities in Today’s Market
Upon celebrating his 80th birthday and 64 years in the automotive aftermarket, Jim Franco is as energized as ever about the business opportunities he sees in the market today. As president and CEO of Autologue Computer Systems, Jim has been in the software industry since the mid-80s and has seen a huge technological evolution–not only on the parts side but also the hardware and software side. Whil
Passion, People Drive Continental’s Travis Roffler
For many in this industry, the automotive aftermarket is in their blood. They grew up in the business, whether it was wrenching in the summers in high school or hanging out with their parents at their place of work. This was the case for Travis Roffler, who has been the director of marketing of Continental Tire the Americas for almost 18 years and is a tire guy through and through.Growing up, Trav
E 32 Coats’ Ben Pryor Has Embraced Lean Thinking
Continuous improvement, known as “lean” in the manufacturing world, has been a guiding force for Ben Pryor, vice president of commercial for the Coats Co. Earlier in his career at Hennessy Industries (parent company of Coats), Pryor spent four months learning lean principles by going to the “gemba” – a Japanese term that refers to the place where the work is done. Pryor, appearing on “AMN Drivetim
E 31 Navigating a Changing Aftermarket with Aisin’s Dwayne Bates & Larrow Kaufman
In the last three years, Aisin World Corp. Of America has experienced its fair share of changes. As a result of the pandemic, the company expanded its operations. In 2021, it merged two business units to create Aisin Corp. to better foster synergies within the group and address future challenges like electrification. That same year, the company rebranded, and now, it’s ready for the mobility chall
E 30 AMN Drivetime Featuring GB Remanufacturing’s Michael Kitching
At the helm of one of the automotive aftermarket’s leading remanufacturing firms, GB Remanufacturing President and CEO Michael Kitching says he’s proud to see remanufacturing getting the attention it deserves as a key player in the growing sustainability conversations taking place today. GB Remanufacturing was founded by Mike and his father Bill Kitching in 1986. The company remanufactures and di
E 29 MANN+HUMMEL’s MANN+HUMMEL’s Daryl Benton on Bringing Brand Value into the Future
In this latest episode of AMN Drivetime, Babcox Media CEO Bill Babcox sits down with Daryl Benton, vice president, sales and marketing automotive aftermarket, North America, MANN+HUMMEL, to discuss a wide range of topics, including Daryl’s own career path from consumer products to the aftermarket, celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the Purolator brand and the way MANN+HUMMEL’s mission contrib
E28 University of the Aftermarket’s Dr. Thomas Litzinger on His Passion for Education
In this latest episode of AMN Drivetime, Babcox CEO Bill Babcox sits down Dr. Thomas Litzinger, who was named executive director of the University of the Aftermarket at Northwood University in October of 2022.An accomplished aftermarket executive with more than 30 years of experience, Dr. Litzinger also is a proud Northwood grad. He earned his bachelor of science degree in business administration
E27 United Motor Products Rick Maxwell is an Industry ‘Lifer’
In this latest episode of AMN Drivetime, Babcox CEO Bill Babcox sits down Rick Maxwell, president and owner of Cleveland-based United Motor Products. Rick Maxwell is what some in this industry call a “lifer.” He’s been involved in the industry since he was about eight years old, working along his father, who began as an aftermarket salesman in 1965 for the originator of B’laster. “He worked for a
E 26: Dave Caracci: From Building Race Engines to Building Sales Teams
Dave Caracci is a guy who can wield a wrench as deftly as he can a sales pitch.In this latest episode of AMN Drivetime, Babcox CEO Bill Babcox sits down with Dave Caracci, longtime aftermarket veteran who currently serves as executive director of the Automotive Sales Council. While he racked up a stellar career as an aftermarket sales professional, Caracci has many skills he has cultivated over hi
E 25 MEMA Leaders Chat about the Future
In mid-November, the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) made a major announcement about a new business structure to better position the organization and the vehicle supplier community for the future. The 118-year-old organization will now operate under one umbrella — MEMA — and will represent automotive and commercial vehicle suppliers with two groups: MEMA Aftermarket Supplier
E 24 Tire Industry Icon John Gamauf - "Johnny g"
John Gamauf, president, Consumer Replacement Tires – Retired, Bridgestone-Firestone North America, is a 50-year veteran of the tire industry. Starting out with Firestone as a tire buster in the late 60s, he rose through the company’s ranks working in different sales positions for Bridgestone brands until he became president of consumer replacement tires for Bridgestone/Firestone North America cons
E 23 MotoRad CEO Matt Buchholz: ‘Pride is Unproductive’
At 17, Matt Buchholz got his first job turning wrenches and along the way discovered what he describes as “a passion for high levels of customer service.” In this drive to meet the needs of customers while building his career and developing his leadership skills, Buchholz shares that he sought out a lot of feedback. Through this feedback what Buchholz learned and cultivated has become the backbone
E 22: Valvoline’s Roger England – The Road From Janitor To Ph.D.
When asked if he was currently in his “Dream Job,” as VP and Chief R&D officer for Valvoline, Roger England’s response says it all about his infectious enthusiasm for all he does.“Heck yeah. I have a great time. I enjoy going to work,” England shares with Bill Babcox in the most recent AMN Drivetime podcast. “I hired into Cummings Technical Center after high school as a janitor. No one in my famil
E 21: Tom Taylor on How Rock Auto Grew to be A DIYer’s 1st Call
An Admitted “car hoarder,” Tom Taylor, VP of Marketing and Co-Owner of Rock Auto, says he and his family really lucked out when they founded the online auto parts retailer in the midst of the “Dot Com” bubble. According to their website, Rock Auto’s goal is to “liberate information hidden behind the auto parts store counter,” and make auto parts affordable. After more than 20 years in business, wi
E 20 Proof Recruitment Works in the Aftermarket: Pronto Network President Robert Roos
Robert Roos, president of the Pronto Automotive Distribution Network, is proof positive that recruitment and retention works in the aftermarket. As he shared in this AMN Drivetime podcast episode with Bill Babcox, he was recruited right out of high school. “That is 100% the truth,” Roos said. “I got into this industry almost completely by accident. A buddy of mine right after we had graduated high
E 19 Tendeco Sales’ John Lussier on the Value of Made in the U.S.A.
In this latest episode of AMN Drivetime, Babcox Media CEO Bill Babcox sits down with John Lussier, president of Tendeco Sales Inc., under which the Litens brand resides. In the interview, the two executives talk about a variety of important industry issues – from supply chain challenges to sourcing, R&D, OE heritage, international business and more.Having been born in Argentina and educated in Ven
Recommended
World News Tonight with David Muir
English Vocabulary Help
The Joe Rogan Experience
TED Talks Daily
Learn English B1 with Daily News | English Listening Practice
Talk About Talk - Executive & Leadership Communication Skills
English with Olivia | Slow Conversations & Vocabulary
Stand In The Circle
SLOW ENGLISH PODCAST (A1-A2) With Subtitles | Daily Videos | English With Us Podcast
Learn English A2 with Daily News | Simple English Listening Practice
پلی لیست | PlayList
Conspiracy Files with Paige Carter
