TMCSuperTech2010 competition
One of the best heavy-duty technician competition programs is the Technology & Maintenance Council’s TMCSuperTech2010 competition. This year, it will be held as part of the TMC Fall Meeting Sept. 20-23 at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, N.C. I again have the honor of joining ASE staffers Kurt Hornicek and Automotive Youth Educational Systems
Preventive maintenance
It is perhaps a bad joke that I make whenever visiting a health care provider for a routine checkup. When we go through the inevitable questions about my current state of health, it always ends with: “Is anything different since the last time you were here?” My answer: “Yes, I’m older.” They usually chuckle, but
The most important tool is information
Since the mid 1980s, the growth in computer technology has reached into virtually every aspect of our lives. It’s also become an integral part of every vehicle, including those serving the heavy-duty fleet market. This explosion in onboard computer technology presents a challenge to service technicians, who need ongoing training just to keep up with
Building a better technician
A question I get frequently from fleet managers when discussing the value of ASE certification is: What’s in it for me? It’s a fair question. These days, economic realities force all of us to continuously evaluate how our often scarce resources are used and how much of a return the business gets from that investment.
Going green
The industry is embracing green initiatives
Saving the future
I’m writing this from the floor of the TMC Trade Show. It’s a big show to go with the wide variety of educational seminars and committee meetings typical of TMC. There’s the usual excitement and, for those of us who just managed to get out of the Northeast between snowstorms, a chance to catch up
The best of the best
For as long as there have been technician competitions, ASE has been involved. In fact, it even has its own, where every year more than 30 individuals working in various segments of the industry are honored at ASE’s Annual Awards Banquet. These competitions vary in content and criteria, but one of the best programs out
Heavy-duty commitment
For only the second time in its 38-year history, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence is being led by the trucking industry. Last November, John Pfennig, manager, service education for Navistar Inc., was elected chairman for 2010. He leads an impressive roster of industry volunteers whose commitment to excellence is reflected in their service
The three Rs–Recognition
In this final installment of our three Rs series, we’ll examine what may be the most important—Recognition. Back in September, I got a call from Eric Benge, regional maintenance manager, inviting a representative from ASE to attend a barbeque in Gas City, Ind. to celebrate the first Wal-Mart fleet maintenance facility to achieve ASE Blue
The three Rs–Retention
Last time, we looked at recruitment and offered some tips on how to find qualified and entry-level technicians. This time, we’ll examine the second of the Three Rs—Retention. Once you’ve found a qualified technician and invested in the training necessary, protecting that investment is more important than ever before. Retaining both new and existing technicians
The three Rs
One of the most troubling types of phone call I seem to be getting more of is a plea from a truck service facility asking for help in finding qualified technicians. As our current technician population ages, finding replacements—both entry-level and experienced—is becoming a significant issue, particularly if you’re running a fleet service operation. If