Technician Retention and Safety in the Heavy-Duty Repair Industry

Send us a textEpisode 336:  Financial headwinds are slowing the trucking industry down. Parts companies must improve their value proposition, and one of the quickest ways to accomplish this is to bring innovative products to the attention of customers and help them lower their total cost of operation. From the fleet’s perspective, finding ways to reduce costs and make their fleet more efficient is always a good strategy. Our guest is Dan McClave, President of Switchblade Turbos. He talks about their product, why it works better than traditional turbochargers, and how their product can save the fleet money. Their product also helps reduce pollution, so it is a win win all around and they have the testimonials to prove it.Show Notes: Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com for complete show notes of this episode and to subscribe to all our content.Sponsors of this EpisodeHeavy Duty Consulting Corporation: Find out how many “fault codes” your heavy-duty parts business has. Meet with us today. Visit HeavyDutyConsulting.comHengst Filtration: There's a new premium filter option for fleets. If you're responsible for a fleet, you won't believe how much using Hengst filters will save you. But you've got to go to HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/Hengst to find out how much.Diesel Laptops: Diesel Laptops is so much more than just a provider of diagnostic tools. They’re your shop efficiency solution company. Learn more about everything Diesel Laptops can do for you today by visiting DieselLaptops.com today.HDA Truck Pride: They’re the heart of the independent parts and service channel. They have 750 parts stores and 450 service centers conveniently located across the US and Canada. Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/HDATruckPride today to find a location near you.Disclaimer: This content and description may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, The Heavy Duty Parts Report may receive a commission. Sign up for our weekly email so you never miss out on an episode: Follow the Show

Send us a textEpisode 335: Technology is revolutionizing the heavy-duty parts industry, but how can it keep pace with the challenges of accurate parts identification? Join us as Joe Steward from Betts Truck Parts shares his experience of using modern tools, training, and exceptional customer service to bridge the knowledge gap left by retiring experts.The stakes are high when it comes to parts identification errors, and the consequences can be severe for repair shops and fleets. In our That’s Not Heavy Duty segment, we see an example of what can happen when the wrong part is installed on a truck, resulting in months of downtime and thousands of dollars in lost revenue.Show Notes: Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com for complete show notes of this episode and to subscribe to all our content.Sponsors of this EpisodeHeavy Duty Consulting Corporation: Find out how many “fault codes” your heavy-duty parts business has. Meet with us today. Visit HeavyDutyConsulting.comHengst Filtration: There's a new premium filter option for fleets. If you're responsible for a fleet, you won't believe how much using Hengst filters will save you. But you've got to go to HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/Hengst to find out how much.Diesel Laptops: Diesel Laptops is so much more than just a provider of diagnostic tools. They’re your shop efficiency solution company. Learn more about everything Diesel Laptops can do for you today by visiting DieselLaptops.com today.HDA Truck Pride: They’re the heart of the independent parts and service channel. They have 750 parts stores and 450 service centers conveniently located across the US and Canada. Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/HDATruckPride today to find a location near you.Disclaimer: This content and description may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, The Heavy Duty Parts Report may receive a commission. Sign up for our weekly email so you never miss out on an episode: Follow the Show

Send us a textEpisode 334:  Technology is not only changing on commercial vehicles, but it is changing parts manufacturing and distribution as well. In our interview we will be airing a rerun of one of our most popular interviews in the last year from when our host visited the Clarios booth at AAPEX 2023 and talked about low voltage battery technology.In this episode, we also talk about how changing technology requires changes in our business to keep up. In our That’s Not Heavy Duty segment, we see how cargo theft is on the rise and what some companies are doing about it.Show Notes: Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com for complete show notes of this episode and to subscribe to all our content.Sponsors of this EpisodeHeavy Duty Consulting Corporation: Find out how many “fault codes” your heavy-duty parts business has. Meet with us today. Visit HeavyDutyConsulting.comHengst Filtration: There's a new premium filter option for fleets. If you're responsible for a fleet, you won't believe how much using Hengst filters will save you. But you've got to go to HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/Hengst to find out how much.Diesel Laptops: Diesel Laptops is so much more than just a provider of diagnostic tools. They’re your shop efficiency solution company. Learn more about everything Diesel Laptops can do for you today by visiting DieselLaptops.com today.HDA Truck Pride: They’re the heart of the independent parts and service channel. They have 750 parts stores and 450 service centers conveniently located across the US and Canada. Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/HDATruckPride today to find a location near you.Disclaimer: This content and description may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, The Heavy Duty Parts Report may receive a commission. Sign up for our weekly email so you never miss out on an episode: Follow the Show

Send us a textEpisode 333: What if a simple brake inspection could save lives on the road? In this episode we talk about the life-or-death importance of Brake Safety Week, running from August 25th to August 31st, 2024.  This safety week is organized by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA).We emphasize the crucial role of brake upkeep, especially given that brake violations are the top reason for taking commercial vehicles off the road during safety inspections. Brake Safety Week aims to remind everyone that vigilance is necessary all year round, not just for one week.Show Notes: Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com for complete show notes of this episode and to subscribe to all our content.Sponsors of this EpisodeHeavy Duty Consulting Corporation: Find out how many “fault codes” your heavy-duty parts business has. Meet with us today. Visit HeavyDutyConsulting.comHengst Filtration: There's a new premium filter option for fleets. If you're responsible for a fleet, you won't believe how much using Hengst filters will save you. But you've got to go to HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/Hengst to find out how much.Diesel Laptops: Diesel Laptops is so much more than just a provider of diagnostic tools. They’re your shop efficiency solution company. Learn more about everything Diesel Laptops can do for you today by visiting DieselLaptops.com today.HDA Truck Pride: They’re the heart of the independent parts and service channel. They have 750 parts stores and 450 service centers conveniently located across the US and Canada. Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/HDATruckPride today to find a location near you.Disclaimer: This content and description may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, The Heavy Duty Parts Report may receive a commission. Sign up for our weekly email so you never miss out on an episode: Follow the Show

Send us a textEpisode 332:  What happens when a passion for racing go-karts evolves into a career in the machining industry? Our featured guest Alan Speyrer, owner of AES Machine, transformed a love for problem-solving and machining into a successful business. Discover how a simple conversation about Peterbilt hood hinges led to him engineering superior machine parts.We also discuss how important it is to really listen to your customers and then care enough to help them come up with solutions. In our That’s Not Heavy Duty segment, our host Jamie Irvine tells a story of flight delays and cancellations which underscores the need for having good customer service.Show Notes: Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com for complete show notes of this episode and to subscribe to all our content.Sponsors of this EpisodeHeavy Duty Consulting Corporation: Find out how many “fault codes” your heavy-duty parts business has. Meet with us today. Visit HeavyDutyConsulting.comHengst Filtration: There's a new premium filter option for fleets. If you're responsible for a fleet, you won't believe how much using Hengst filters will save you. But you've got to go to HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/Hengst to find out how much.Diesel Laptops: Diesel Laptops is so much more than just a provider of diagnostic tools. They’re your shop efficiency solution company. Learn more about everything Diesel Laptops can do for you today by visiting DieselLaptops.com today.HDA Truck Pride: They’re the heart of the independent parts and service channel. They have 750 parts stores and 450 service centers conveniently located across the US and Canada. Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/HDATruckPride today to find a location near you.Disclaimer: This content and description may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, The Heavy Duty Parts Report may receive a commission. Sign up for our weekly email so you never miss out on an episode: Follow the Show

Send us a textEpisode 331:  When you run a heavy-duty parts and service business you are often faced with decisions where you have to weigh two competing things and make tough decisions. The trucking industry faces this on a national level. With so many new environmental regulations coming in, can the heavy-duty industry really come up with new technologies and products that are good for the economy AND the environment?The refrigerant industry is facing this right now. Our featured guest, Adam Kimmel from Orbia, demonstrates the innovation required to find solutions that meet competing needs. He also discusses how their refrigerant brand Koura is meeting the environmental benchmarks without compromising performance.Show Notes: Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com for complete show notes of this episode and to subscribe to all our content.Sponsors of this EpisodeHeavy Duty Consulting Corporation: Find out how many “fault codes” your heavy-duty parts business has. Meet with us today. Visit HeavyDutyConsulting.comHengst Filtration: There's a new premium filter option for fleets. If you're responsible for a fleet, you won't believe how much using Hengst filters will save you. But you've got to go to HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/Hengst to find out how much.Diesel Laptops: Diesel Laptops is so much more than just a provider of diagnostic tools. They’re your shop efficiency solution company. Learn more about everything Diesel Laptops can do for you today by visiting DieselLaptops.com today.HDA Truck Pride: They’re the heart of the independent parts and service channel. They have 750 parts stores and 450 service centers conveniently located across the US and Canada. Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/HDATruckPride today to find a location near you.Disclaimer: This content and description may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, The Heavy Duty Parts Report may receive a commission. Sign up for our weekly email so you never miss out on an episode: Follow the Show

Send us a textEpisode 330:  In this episode we talk training – why it is so necessary, ways to make it accessible to employees and customers, and why some companies refuse to train their people. Our host, Jamie Irvine, starts by discussing 3 myths that some believe about training – namely that it is too expensive, not worth the time, or that it is inaccessible to their company.Our featured guest is Thomas Kleich, Director of Sales for Fleets at Horton. He discusses the need that he saw for good training and what they have done at Horton to make easily accessible training materials available, not just for themselves and their customers, but to whoever wants it.Show Notes: Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com for complete show notes of this episode and to subscribe to all our content.Sponsors of this EpisodeHeavy Duty Consulting Corporation: Find out how many “fault codes” your heavy-duty parts business has. Meet with us today. Visit HeavyDutyConsulting.comHengst Filtration: There's a new premium filter option for fleets. If you're responsible for a fleet, you won't believe how much using Hengst filters will save you. But you've got to go to HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/Hengst to find out how much.Diesel Laptops: Diesel Laptops is so much more than just a provider of diagnostic tools. They’re your shop efficiency solution company. Learn more about everything Diesel Laptops can do for you today by visiting DieselLaptops.com today.HDA Truck Pride: They’re the heart of the independent parts and service channel. They have 750 parts stores and 450 service centers conveniently located across the US and Canada. Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/HDATruckPride today to find a location near you.Disclaimer: This content and description may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, The Heavy Duty Parts Report may receive a commission.Sign up for our weekly email so you never miss out on an episode: Follow the Show

Send us a textEpisode 329: Being reactive costs the trucking industry millions of dollars every year. Once something breaks down, it is costing you so much more money than if you planned for it in advance. Most people understand this for fleets and owner-operators, but we see this all the time as we consult with heavy-duty parts manufacturers, distributors, and service companies as well. Ignoring parts of your business that are not working well or are looking like they will soon break down, is not a good solution for a lasting and successful business.Our featured guest is Bill Fortney, Western Regional Sales Manager for Webasto. He explains that Webasto has a full line of fuel operated heaters which save fuel and reduce wear and tear on the engine by keeping the engine and cab warm without requiring idling. Planning ahead in the summer and fall and proactively making sure that commercial vehicles are ready for the winter can help us avoid spending more time and money when the winter does come.Show Notes: Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com for complete show notes of this episode and to subscribe to all our content.Sponsors of this EpisodeHeavy Duty Consulting Corporation: Find out how many “fault codes” your heavy-duty parts business has. Meet with us today. Visit HeavyDutyConsulting.comHengst Filtration: There's a new premium filter option for fleets. If you're responsible for a fleet, you won't believe how much using Hengst filters will save you. But you've got to go to HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/Hengst to find out how much.Diesel Laptops: Diesel Laptops is so much more than just a provider of diagnostic tools. They’re your shop efficiency solution company. Learn more about everything Diesel Laptops can do for you today by visiting DieselLaptops.com today.HDA Truck Pride: They’re the heart of the independent parts and service channel. They have 750 parts stores and 450 service centers conveniently located across the US and Canada. Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/HDATruckPride today to find a location near you.Disclaimer: This content and description may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, The Heavy Duty Parts Report may receive a commission.Sign up for our weekly email so you never miss out on an episode: Follow the Show

Send us a textEpisode 328: In these volatile times it is more important than ever to pay attention to the important things in your business rather than only focusing on the urgent day to day tasks. Being proactive and having a solid plan can be the difference between your business struggling or even failing during hard times or emerging from those hard times and being stronger than ever. Our featured guest is Charles Bowles, Director of Commercial Truck OEM & Strategic Initiatives at Commercial Truck Trader. He discusses 4 things that are really affecting the trucking market right now; high interest rates, trade-in prices, low freight rates and tight credit. All of these factors are continuing to affect the volatility of the heavy-duty industry and must be navigated.Show Notes: Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com for complete show notes of this episode and to subscribe to all our content.Sponsors of this EpisodeHeavy Duty Consulting Corporation: Find out how many “fault codes” your heavy-duty parts business has. Meet with us today. Visit HeavyDutyConsulting.comHengst Filtration: There's a new premium filter option for fleets. If you're responsible for a fleet, you won't believe how much using Hengst filters will save you. But you've got to go to HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/Hengst to find out how much.Diesel Laptops: Diesel Laptops is so much more than just a provider of diagnostic tools. They’re your shop efficiency solution company. Learn more about everything Diesel Laptops can do for you today by visiting DieselLaptops.com today.HDA Truck Pride: They’re the heart of the independent parts and service channel. They have 750 parts stores and 450 service centers conveniently located across the US and Canada. Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/HDATruckPride today to find a location near you.Disclaimer: This content and description may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, The Heavy Duty Parts Report may receive a commission. Sign up for our weekly email so you never miss out on an episode: Follow the Show

Send us a textEpisode 327: Retaining skilled technicians in the heavy-duty repair industry is a challenge that many businesses face. High turnover rates can be costly and disruptive, impacting the overall efficiency and productivity of repair shops. Our host, Jamie Irvine, starts out this episode with a list of 7 things that owners and managers can do to improve their retention rates.Our featured guest in this episode is Brett Delp, National Account Manager for Fleets at Stertil Koni. Brett tells us about their lifts for heavy-duty trucks. He explains how using these lifts keeps technicians safer and prevents many of the aches and pains associated with doing repair work by traditional methods. Technicians who feel safe and who are not wrecking their body on the job are more likely to stay longer at your company. Using these lifts also benefits the bottom line and results in better quality repairs so it is a win-win all the way.Show Notes: Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com for complete show notes of this episode and to subscribe to all our content.Sponsors of this EpisodeHeavy Duty Consulting Corporation: Find out how many “fault codes” your heavy-duty parts business has. Meet with us today. Visit HeavyDutyConsulting.comHengst Filtration: There's a new premium filter option for fleets. If you're responsible for a fleet, you won't believe how much using Hengst filters will save you. But you've got to go to HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/Hengst to find out how much.Diesel Laptops: Diesel Laptops is so much more than just a provider of diagnostic tools. They’re your shop efficiency solution company. Learn more about everything Diesel Laptops can do for you today by visiting DieselLaptops.com today.HDA Truck Pride: They’re the heart of the independent parts and service channel. They have 750 parts stores and 450 service centers conveniently located across the US and Canada. Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com/HDATruckPride today to find a location near you.Disclaimer: This content and description may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, The Heavy Duty Parts Report may receive a commission. Sign up for our weekly email so you never miss out on an episode: Follow the Show