I recently had the opportunity to moderate a panel at SOLD15, a two-day training event for commercial vehicle aftermarket service professionals. This third annual event is held in conjunction with Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week, or HDAW ’15, in Las Vegas every year.
SOLD15 featured learning sessions on how to run an aftermarket vehicle repair business more efficiently. Events included a five-hour seminar by the legendary Bob Greenwood, along with educational seminars on repair and maintenance for natural gas vehicles, a discussion on the use of genuine versus will-fit parts, and the results of an attendee survey on the most crucial tool or piece of equipment purchased within the last year.
Organizers of SOLD15 approached PTEN magazine to represent the tool and equipment presentation, requesting assistance with moderating and organizing the session. The session featured brief presentations from company representatives on each of the Top 5 products, to give attendees an overview of features and benefits for each.
The Top 5 most recommended tools and equipment seminar featured the following products:
- Temper Tool Doctor Preload (No. 707M-FF)
- STEMCO APE Axle Pro Equipment
- Noregon Systems JPRO Commercial Vehicle Diagnostics
- Bee Line Company LC7500 Laser Guided Computer Wheel Alignment System
- Rotary Lift MCH413 Mobile Column Lift
While the theme of the week was clearly heavy duty (which is evident by this list), these tools play a crucial role in day-to-day operations for a number of shops.
Successful products to market not only need to be innovative. They also need to assist a technician or shop with the capacity to get the job done properly, quickly and efficiently.
Manufacturers continually produce new and updated tools and equipment to help you run your operation. Attendees of SOLD15 indicated that these specific product purchases made within the last year allowed their shops to perform repairs and maintenance they were unable to complete prior to the purchase.
Is there a tool you or your shop have purchased in the last year that you just can’t live without? I’m interested to hear about it.
