How to Get the Right People in Your Parts Department

Send us a textEpisode 343: Proper planning can prevent poor performance in your heavy-duty parts business and can also reduce break downs on the side of the road. As winter comes, one of the ways to prepare is to make sure you have good batteries – on the shelf in your parts store, and in your vehicle.Our guest, Jeremy Cordray from EnerSys, helps us to understand the differences in battery technology. We also discuss why different batteries will be required in electric and autonomous vehicles as more countries head toward reduced emissions objectives.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 342: We are happy to have captured this discussion with the now-retired Wayne Cochrane, past National Sales Manager of Redline Emissions Products. With many older ones retiring and leaving the industry, making sure we can still benefit from their years of experience is very important.Have you ever wondered how to know if a DPF filter is genuinely clean? What should you be doing after getting your filter back from the cleaners? Wayne explains the dangers of running a poorly cleaned filter and how you can make sure that it’s done right. Keeping a clean filter isn’t just about environmental standards, it also saves in cost and 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 341: How are tariffs affecting heavy-duty parts companies? In this in-depth discussion, we talk about the history of tariffs, the real reasons behind them and whether they will go up in the near future.After preparing for this episode, Jamie Irvine and Scott Boltz discovered that tariffs are not what they thought and there is a dark side to tariffs rarely, if ever, discussed by those promoting them.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 340: The team at SSR Lighting was encouraged to look into options for interior trailer lighting after safety concerns from companies like Ford. After trial and error and thinking through obstacles like forklift strikes, extreme weather, and batteries that can’t sit for months unused, they now have a great product that can light up the inside of any trailer.In our That’s Not Heavy Duty segment we talk about another kind of lighting, custom truck lighting, some of which is against the law. Tell us what you think, should truckers be allowed to customize their trucks in this way, and should authorities just ignore custom lighting?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 339: At the Heavy Duty Consulting Corporation, we have partnered with TRAITS to help you with your people and organization. Having the right people is so important when predicting the success of your heavy-duty business. TRAITS is a psychometric assessment tool that can help you evaluate your team based on their personality fit for their job.In this episode, Mike Moreau, President of TRAITS, explains that each job has a personality and that when the best person from a personality standpoint is doing that job, the chances of success and happiness go up. You will also have the opportunity to take your personality assessment for free.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 338:  We’ve been working hard at the Heavy Duty Consulting Corporation to create the only business development system of its kind that is exclusively dedicated to the heavy-duty parts industry. We are proud to announce that we have developed a training program specifically for Parts Managers.In line with that new course offering, in this episode we are going to talk to Dan Larlee, Parts Director at Falcon Equipment, about:What it takes to be a successful parts manager.What some of the common areas parts managers struggle with.Why being a great parts technician doesn’t automatically make you a great parts manager.Listen to the end for a discount on our new Parts Management course!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 337: Having the right people in your business is very important for success. The ‘right people’ must have a combination of experience and expertise, but more importantly, must have a great attitude and the personality traits needed to be successful in their role.Speaking of a great attitude, our interview with successful trucker and YouTuber with the handle Trucking with Tay, gave us a glimpse into what optimism and hard work can accomplish. Tay has not only achieved financial success but has also inspired others to do the same as an owner operator. From tripling his income to helping a young follower purchase a house and truck, Tay's story is a testament to the opportunities that can be had in the trucking industry.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 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