a p r i l 2 0 0 8 - huntingtonbchbodyworks.com · nationals where’scp? o’reillynhrathunder...
TRANSCRIPT
April 2008
JAY’S NOTES
Starting this month, I’m taking over the reins of this monthly column from my esteemedcolleague Paul Humphreys. Paul is leaving Chicago Pneumatic at the end of April andhas been promoted to Vice President Communications and Branding North Americawithin Atlas Copco Compressors, LLC.
We’ll certainly miss Paul’s leadership in the development of new communication channels,such as this newsletter. Many thanks to Paul and we wish him the best in his new endeavor.
Now, let’s get down to business.
Chicago Pneumatic has experienced a positive first quarter this year, building on recordsales at AAPEX last fall and tool shows this spring, such as the Preferred Tool & EquipmentShow 2008 in March where we achieved record sales that resulted in being the numberone national brand at the show.
We also continue to receive very positive market reactions to our new BlueTork tool,the CP7600. We’ve put the CP7600 in shops all across the country and it gives usgreat pride knowing that the tool brings additional safety to vehicle service techniciansand the highway.
In this edition, we focus on selecting tools with safety, performance and maintenancein mind – a good habit to adopt and one that saves you money and gives you peaceof mind.
In past issues we’ve used a lot of ink touting the benefits of our tools. We’re takinga break in this issue and letting the editor from Brake & Front Endmagazine tell you aboutthe design, battery life and performance of our new cordless line. We hope you enjoy hisreview as much as we did.
If you have any comments on the newsletter, or if we can answer any questions, pleasesend us a note at [email protected].
Thanks for reading.
Jay LewisGeneral Manager Charlotte Operations &Vehicle Service AmericasChicago Pneumatic Tool Company, LLC
ContentsJay’s Notes
You Get What You Pay For
High-Performance Products.Designed For You!
Brake & Front End ReviewsCP Cordless
Preferred Tool & EquipmentShow 2008
Greg Anderson in theNHRA Winner Circle
Jeff Snyder Q&A
Paul’s Last Word
Win A CP7740
Summit Racing Equipment Atlanta, GA April 24-27NHRA Southern NationalsWaste Expo Chicago, IL May 6-8O’Reilly NHRA Midwest Madison, IL May 2-4Nationals
Where’s CP?O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Bristol, TN May 16-18Valley NationalsO’Reilly NHRA Summer Topeka, KS May 30-June 1Nationals
In business and in life you get what you pay for, and the vehicleservice industry is no different.
Technicians, like all consumers, look for value in the products theypurchase. The key values offered by the investment in true professionalgrade tools include quality engineering, supplier support throughexpert advice on tool selection and best practices, and ergonomicdesign. These values result in tools with a longer life and affordableservicing, while minimizing the health and safety risks associatedwith the use of high-powered tools.
We oftenmeet with industry technicians who have owned their favoritetools for more than 20 years. These professionals made the investmentin a quality tool years ago and treated it well throughout their careers.There are no secrets to keeping a pneumatic tool in good condition:
• Oil your tools regularly.• Have your tools serviced by professionals once a year.• Check air quality regularly – specifically checking for water inthe line.
The costs involved in taking these preventive steps versus toolreplacement are minimal. When purchasing a tool the price ofreplacement parts and service, as well as ergonomic accessories suchas gloves and protective covers, should also be considered.
Professional technicians who purchase high-quality tools andmaintainthem properly have complete trust in their tools’ functions. They knowtheir tools will help them perform the job right and deliver the qualitywork their customers deserve.
Ergonomics a leadingdesign factorIn recent years employers haveseen increased importance placedon the health and safety ofworkers. Driven by legislation andgrowing personal injury claims,hand and arm vibration andrepetitive stress injuries are amajorbusiness issue within the industry.
This subject is one that we all,professionalsand toolmanufacturersalike, must tackle together.Technicians and shop managersseek high quality tools frommanufacturers that place anemphasis on the ergonomicsand operator safety elementsin tool design. Good examplesof these advanced ergonomicsare a comfortable pistol grip anda well-balanced tool with highpower-to-weight ratio to minimizeoperator fatigue.
Responsiblemanufacturers have taken their consideration of technicianhealth and safety a step further by addressing further causes of handand arm vibration injuries and the adverse effects of noise exposure.
Simply looking at manufacturers’ data on vibration levels is inadequate,because often these levels are shown from measurements taken in afree-running state, which does not relate to the vibration levels causedwhen the machine is under load, and any catalogue measurementscannot take into account the condition of the accessory being used onthe tool. The only accurate way of obtaining this data is to measure thelevels on the technician’s application.
When making tool purchases from a manufacturer it is worth inquiringhow they measure vibration and how many people they have on stafftrained on this subject. Manufacturers that take this subject seriouslyhave experts within their own team, as well as dedicated technicalsupport teams to answer all your questions.
The same emphasis should be taken when comparing noise levels.The difference between 20 decibels is a 100 percent increase insound intensity. Per OSHA regulations, employers shall run a hearingconservation program if employees are exposed to an averagenoise level higher than 85 dBA.With many pneumatic tools generatingnoise intensity in the 90 decibel range, this subject should be takenseriously by shop managers and manufacturers.
The Future
Passenger and commercialvehicles are manufacturedwith the highest quality tools.This provides the factorytraceability on vehicle qualityand protects their employees.It is our responsibility touphold that quality standardin the aftermarket.
With the vehicle service industry being floodedwith cheap tools, it is important to remember thefalse economy of purchasing low-quality tools.It is perhaps even more important to considerthe quality of your work when your customer’svehicle is travelling at speeds upwards of 70milesper hour on the highway.
The next time you are offered cheap tools,consider the eventual impact they will haveon your wallet, your body and the final productyou deliver to your customers. If you do this,you’ll improve more than the quality of yourtools, you’ll improve the quality of your lifeand your peace of mind.
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
High-performance products.Designed for you!
Visit BlueTork.com to learn how youcan save time, money, energy and worry.Can you afford to ignore the future?
Enter into the World of BlueTork.
The Chicago Pneumatic brand is built upon three basic tenets:
Pioneering design;Durability; and,High impact technology.
Those beliefs form our brand promise to ourcustomers. We promise our customers thatin order for a product to be sold under theChicago Pneumatic brand, it will be designedspecifically for the customer’s needs, with topof the line functionality and ground-breakingaesthetics. It must be built to last. And the product’ssuperior technology will give surety to ergonomicswithout compromising its ability to get the job done.
For more than 100 years, Chicago Pneumaticproducts have been created in this tradition. Today,we’ve integrated these historical concepts intoour new tagline: High-performance products.Designed for you!
As a vigilant reminder of this promise toour customers, this statement will appearon our marketing literature. It will be amotivator to our product developmentteams. It will remain core to our businessplanning. And it will be our declaration tothose who use our product. Whetherpurchasing vehicle service tools,air compressors or industrialequipment, you can be confidentthe product bearing the CP logowas designed to best serve you– our valued customer.
DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
Andrew Markel, editor of Brake and Front End magazine, recently spent a fewdays testing the CP8738 cordless kit – which includes the cordless 3/8 inchimpact wrench, driver drill, LED light and battery pack.
Here are his thoughts:
“If you work in a shop with compressed air lines, why should you gocordless? It really comes down to finesse and packaging when finding the righttool. After spending some time with the Chicago Pneumatic CP8738 3/8 cordlessimpact wrench, I have come to the conclusion that cordless impacts do have a placein the shop.”
“Overall, I would recommend the Chicago Pneumatic CP8738. When you think of cordless tools,Chicago Pneumatic might not be the first brand name that comes tomind. But the CP8738 kit provesthey have done their homework and this tool kit is a winner. Best of all, when you first bring thesetools to your shop, you’ll never have the feeling that a drywall contractor will try to take them. Theyare serious automotive professional tools.”
ReadAndrew Markel’s full review of the CP8738 cordless set at the Brake and Front End Blog:
“While some tool companies are fighting to see who makes themost powerful 1/2” cordless impact, CP is building a line that hasthe automotive technician in mind.”
–Andrew Markel
“I used the CP8738 for brake work most of the time. The shortnose-to-tail length made it great for going after caliper pinsand bolts, 95 ft-lbs is enough to remove and install any brakesystem fastener.”
–Andrew Markel
GGRREEGG AANNDDEERRSSOONN TTAAKKEESS TTHHEE WWIINN AATT HHOOUUSSTTOONN
PREFERRED TOOL & EQUIPMENT SHOW 2008
Chicago Pneumatic’s success at the Preferred Tool & Equipment Show 2008 was due to an impressive booth presentation, an unparalleled team spirit and organization and of course, our loyal customers.
For two consecutive years Chicago Pneumatic has seen 81 percent growth at this show – compared with 6 and 15 percent respective annual growth for our biggest competitor. In fact, Chicago Pneumatic achieved record sales this year at PTE that resulted in being the number one national brand at the show.
In a challenging economy, Chicago Pneumatic team membersWalt Lindow, Ken Kowalski, Paul Mooney, and Tom Pelette areexpanding the reach of the CP brand and creating disciples whoreally know how to sell our product. We thank them and theirteams for their efforts. We also thank our customers and partnersfor helping us grow the CP brand.
HIGHEST VOLUME PRODUCT LINES(Not including pending orders):
MANUFACTURER TOTAL SALESK-Tool International $340,510.80Chicago Pneumatic $189,558.42Ingersoll Rand Company $119,603.09SPX/OTC Corp $117,057.74SK Hand Tool Corporation $97,842.01Astro Pneumatic Tool Co. $80,509.70Visual Optics, Inc. $68,271.68SPX/Robinair Division $58,034.61Lincoln Industrial $44,531.42Danaher Tool Group-KD $43,864.11
Preferred Tool & Equipment Show 2008Final ResultsSales $2,093,739.51Pending Sales $56,919.80Total Sales $2,150,659.31Attendance 1480
Chicago Pneumatic supporting racer Greg Anderson won the ProStock Final at the O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals at HoustonRaceway Park in Baytown, Texas, on March 30.
Anderson achieved a 6.692-second/207.37 mph run in his SummitRacing Equipment, KB Racing-owned Pontiac GXP in the finalrace of the day. The win marked Anderson’s 53rd career victory andWally trophy.
Cranked Up Conversation recently caught up with CP’s new Business Line Manager –Vehicle Service, North America, Jeff Snyder. We learned that Jeff is an avid fishermanwith a long history in the automotive aftermarket and that he’d love to sit downwith Thomas Jefferson to chat politics. Sound interesting? Keep reading.
Please tell us a little about yourself and your interests/hobbies?I’m 51 years old and I’ve been selling tools and equipment in the automotive aftermarket since 1985.I’ve been married to my wife Tamela for 25 years and we’ve been fortunate enough to have a daughterand a son. Amanda is 18 and will be enrolling in East Carolina University’s honors program this falland my son, Dalton, is a sophomore in high school. We live on Lake Norman, just north of Charlotte,and spend our free time on the lake and attending various sports events our kids are involved in. I really like to golf, but rarely find the time to play. My real passion is saltwater fishing, which the entire family enjoys as much as I do.
What do you see as the biggest challenge in the vehicle service industry?The biggest challenge facing the VS industry right now is the economic slowdown in the United States. At first, it seemed limited to items costing between $50 and $500, as these tools and other sundries are paid for out of cash flow rather than depreciated,and as cash flow was squeezed, so were the sales of these items. Now it appears that even capital equipment is being effected to some degree and that, along with slower auto sales, is somewhat negatively impacting the aftermarket.
I believe this slowdown is somewhat self-induced and should clear up as we approach the election or shortly thereafter. On a verypositive note, the CP brand continues to strengthen and acquire market share even in a fluctuating economy.
Tell us how your previous experience makes you perfect to be CP’s new business line manager – North America?I started my career with Cummins Diesel and Hunter Marketing on the production side of manufacturing. I left that to enter sales of high-end electronics and big ticket sales for a couple years prior to joining the aftermarket. In 1985 I started a 14-year stint withDanaher (Hennessy Industries) as a territory rep and worked up to district and account manager.
I left there to be at home more while the kids were growing up and joined an organization that was to evolve into American Tire Distributors. I ran the tool and equipment section of the company and grew it to $42 million from $16 million. As the company grew,my responsibility narrowed to the marketing and vendors within the department, where I bought, sold, and marketed all the tools and equipment used by car dealers and tire stores, including all the CPVS products.
So I spent a total of 14 years with sales on the manufacturer’s side of the fence and another 11 years as the buyer and marketer onthe distributor’s side. Having done both for that length of time, I have a unique and empathetic view of both the distributor and themanufacturer’s business relationship.
If you could have coffee with a celebrity/historical figure, who would it be? The first would be Jesus for all the obvious reasons and the second would be Thomas Jefferson. I’d love to get Mr. Jefferson’s backgroundthoughts on the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Madison’s Bill of Rights. What a great evening that would be.
What would our readers be surprised to know about you? I think most people would be surprised at how far I’m willing to go out into the ocean in a small boat. I know there have been times the sport-fisher captains have wondered, “What in the world is he doing this far out in that center console?” I’m doing the same thing they are. Fishing!
CALL 800.624.473560-DAY MONEY-BACK
GUARANTEEcp7740challenge.com
TAKE THE CP7740CHALLENGE TODAY.
Name: _________________________________________________
Company: ______________________________________________
Title: __________________________________________________
Phone: ________________________________________________
E-mail: ________________________________________________
Answer: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Cranked Up Contest Winner:APRIL
Winner:Paul LewisHometown:Colonial Beach, VirginiaCompany:P&P AutomotivePrize:CP7740 and three WIX® Aquachekfilters with gauge kits
Cranked Up ContestTell us the three keys to maintaining your pneumatic tools, and you just might win a CP7740 and three WIX AquaChek filters with gauge kits.
Send your answer to [email protected] or fax this page to 800-228-9096.
PAUL’S LAST WORD
It is with great excitement and pride, but also sadness that this willbe my last contribution to Cranked Up Conversation. I am movingon within the group, and not only am I moving to the USA from my resident UK, but I am also switching my focus from tools tocompressors, where I’ll be looking after several brands.
The CP brand has been and will continue to be a great brand towork for. The brand is built on great products, but more importantlygreat people. And it’s these really great people that make the CPbrand so fun and exciting.
I am hopeful I will be back in the newsletter in the future in my newrole with compressors. Until then, I will take this opportunity to saya big thanks to all of you for reading, along with a huge thanks to my colleagues for making CP such a great place to work. Mostimportantly, I send a special thanks to all of the customers whohave interacted with the CP brand.
Wishing you all the best for the future.
Paul HumphreysCommunications Manager, Chicago Pneumatic