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In honor of the 114th International Women's Day on March 8, VIPAR Heavy Duty recognizes and celebrates the significant contributions women make to the trucking industry. While trucking has historically been male-dominated, women are increasingly taking on diverse roles, from drivers to executives, and shaping the industry's future.

According to The Women in Trucking Association’s 2024-2025 Index report, women make up 9.5% of all professional drivers. The survey also found that in leadership roles, approximately 28% in C-Suite/executive positions are women, and 34.5% are in supervisory leadership roles.

VIPAR Heavy Duty values this global movement recognizing the contributions of women, having first-hand knowledge of the impact women make within its own organization and the heavy duty truck parts aftermarket. Fifty-one percent of VIPAR Heavy Duty’s staff is women, five of whom serve in supervisory leadership roles. 

When VIPAR Heavy Duty President & CEO Chris Baer took on the top leadership position in 2017, he introduced a management structure consisting of new leadership roles to help the organization achieve its aggressive growth goals.

“We flattened out the leadership team and distributed responsibility. That action created opportunities for a new group of leaders to step into key roles, where they continue to drive success. To achieve success with efficiency, accountability, and integrity, it’s important to put a variety of voices at the table. The more experiences and perspectives you include in the conversation, the more well-rounded your solutions will be. Within our organization, women contribute to all areas including finance, technology, marketing, and sales, and our business is thriving due to their contributions,” said Baer. 

To promote the inclusion of women in the heavy duty workforce and the path they forged to get there, the women of VIPAR Heavy Duty were asked who influenced, mentored, or inspired them. Read on for their meaningful responses:

For more information on VIPAR Heavy Duty, visit www.vipar.com or email info@vipar.com.

For more information on Power Heavy Duty, visit www.powerheavyduty.net or email info@powerheavyduty.net. 

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Two newly elected members of the VIPAR Heavy Duty Board of Directors will attend the first meeting of 2025 next week in Monterrey, Mexico. Ryan Bugai, President of Northwest Drive Train, and Adam Sadler, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Sadler Power Train, accepted nominations to a four-year term last October.

A strategic list of goals and initiatives awaits their input as VIPAR Heavy Duty advances plans for Latin American expansion, technological innovations, a new training platform, and growth in the distributor and supplier program channels for 2025.

Chris Baer, VIPAR Heavy Duty President & CEO, said the Board took a new approach to identifying candidates. “We started by identifying areas in which we felt we needed to add strength to the bench and concluded that technology would be our major focus. Ryan and Adam are both proven in the market as next generation leaders. Their input and perspective will be important as we continue to develop new applications and enhance existing technologies,” he said. 

Ryan Bugai serves as President of Northwest Drive Train, a comprehensive provider of heavy duty truck and trailer parts in the greater Houston area. Established in 1993, the company is a third generation, family-owned business operating five parts and service locations across Texas. Northwest Drive Train is recognized as a leader in truck-mounted hydraulic systems and telematics installation.

Ryan joined the company in 2019 in a sales and marketing role and was promoted to President in 2023, succeeding his father, Tony. Northwest Drive Train has been a VIPAR Heavy Duty stockholder since 2004. Ryan was honored as one of the 2024 “GenNext 4 Under 40” Award winners by the Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN) and currently serves as co-chair of CVSN’s Education Pillar Community.

Adam Sadler is the Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Sadler Power Train. The business was originally established as the Sadler Machine Co. in 1956 by Roy and Myrna Sadler. Sadler Power Train followed in 1974 and was started by brothers Steve and John Sadler. Starting out providing driveline, differential and transmission parts to its customers, Sadler Power Train has grown to provide parts for suspensions, brakes, power take-offs, hydraulics, clutches, electrical systems and much more. 

Today, Sadler Power Train is led by John Sadler and his sons Nate and Adam. Adam began his career with the company in 2008 as a warehouse assistant and made brake shoes. In 2011 he became Director of E-commerce and in 2018 Adam became the VP of Sales & Marketing. Sadler Power Train has been a VIPAR Heavy Duty stockholder since 1996.

"I am genuinely excited to bring Ryan and Adam onto the board. These two were identified by the entire board as forward-thinking individuals. They serve as good additions to the leadership body of our organization," added Bill Nolan, VIPAR Heavy Duty Chairman of the Board and President of PBS Truck Parts. 

For more information on VIPAR Heavy Duty, visit www.vipar.com or email: info@vipar.com.

For more information on Power Heavy Duty, visit www.powerheavyduty.net or email: info@powerheavyduty.net. 

Connect via social media on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Power Heavy Duty welcomed 12 new members in 2024, which in turn added 13 new points of sale to their U.S. roster.

"Our commitment is not just to grow in numbers but to grow in quality and purpose, ensuring each new member and acquisition strengthens our collective impact and meets the need of parts and service customers nationwide," said Jim Pennig, Vice President of Business Development. His comment was shared at the group’s annual IMPACT Conference, held recently in Marco Island, Fla. Power Heavy Duty was also recognized for reaching its 30th Anniversary. The following companies were welcomed into the network this year:

3rd East Auto Parts

Chad Orme

Roosevelt, UT

3rd East sells automotive parts, heavy duty parts, and products for the local agriculture, mining, and off-road business. It was founded in 1979 and serves a rural area with a large trucking community and operates a heavy duty repair facility to service agricultural and mining fleets.

Caledonia Diesel LLC

Paul Raymond, John Raymond, and Gary Raymond

Caledonia, N.Y.

Caledonia Diesel serves western New York’s agricultural community, building and roadway contractors, towns and municipalities, trucking companies, and export customers. Caledonia operates a 22-bay repair facility, offers an extensive inventory of new and used parts, and sells trucks, farm equipment, and generator power systems.

Freedom Heavy Duty LLC

James and Janice Goldberg

White Oak, Texas

Freedom Heavy Duty was founded in 2014. They operate a 15,000 square foot warehouse and showroom, with additional space for brake drums, shoes, springs and landing gear, and more. They serve local fleets, service centers, owner/operators and the construction, agriculture, timber, and oil field industries.

The Heitman Co., Inc.

Landy Dickey and Brent Dickey

Houston, Texas

The Heitman Co., Inc. was founded in 1924 and serves the industrial brake industry in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, and Oklahoma. They provide brake linings, suspension, and friction materials for the heavy duty parts and heavy industrial markets including crane, off road equipment, tractors, marine and logging equipment, and onshore and offshore oil field equipment.

Henry’s Truck Parts

Urszula Czynczyk and Greg Czynczyk

Elgin, Ill.

Henry’s is a family-owned business that serves the Chicagoland area with truck parts and accessories. Their selection of tens of thousands of parts and components, from semi-truck batteries to brake line fittings and truck air brakes to air springs, can be acquired in person, online, or through convenient shipping.

John’s Spring and Suspension LLC

Michael Colyer

Reno, Nev.

John’s Spring and Suspension has been serving northern Nevada since 1978. They specialize in leaf spring suspension repair and replacement, suspension, and brake and driveline service along with light manufacturing of U-Bolts and retainer clips. They service light, medium, and heavy duty markets from both independent operators and local fleets.

Philadelphia Truck Parts

Sergio Srdan Krstic

Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia Truck Parts operates a 21,000 square foot facility with showroom and warehouse and an e-commerce site currently under development. Their customer base includes fleets, municipalities, highway departments, machine shops and construction.

Powertrain Plus Truck Parts & Service

Mert Kahyaoglu, John Ferry

Cinnaminson, N.J.

Powertrain Plus Truck Parts & Service formed last year when Kahyaoglu and Ferry merged their businesses to establish a distributorship and service facility. They provide parts and service around transmissions, differentials, driveline/drive shaft, flywheel turning, and DPF cleaning. They serve independent repair shops, waste, dump, line haul, and construction fleets.

Ron’s Repair Inc.

Ronald Prins

Worthington, Minn.

Founded in 1990, Ron’s Repair grew from Prins’s personal property to today’s 22-shop bays and 15,000-square-foot parts room. Their main focus is service on semis, trailers, buses, and reefer units.

TIFCO Industries

Bob Brown and Chris Brown

Cypress, Texas

Founded in 1961, TIFCO Industries is a single source, stocking distributor of over 45,000 quality, maintenance and repair operation (MRO) products for all types of industrial, fleet, and heavy duty equipment. TIFCO maintains two strategically located distribution centers in Houston and Reno.

Trailines Enterprises

Craig Sumeral and Todd Sumeral

West Chester and Columbus, Ohio

Trailines is family-owned and operated and began in 1981. From a single mobile truck, it has expanded to 28 bays for truck and trailer repairs, maintenance, painting, decal installation and removal, new and used trailer sales, and local cartage service in the greater Cincinnati area

Westman Company Inc.

Gerald Westman

Amherst, Wis.

Under the name Diesel Machine Service, Inc. they sell overhaul-kits, fuel injectors, turbos, and many other parts. They also overhaul and re-machine various truck and agricultural/construction engine components with services including machining and engine component repair.

For more information on Power Heavy Duty, contact info@powerheavyduty.net, or visit www.powerheavyduty.net. Connect with us via social media on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Power Heavy Duty has launched a new public-facing website and corresponding private portal that provides significant user experience updates. The new site incorporates a sleek, modern, mobile-responsive design with expanded functionality to offer users improved navigation, streamlined information, and an enhanced online experience. 

"With the launch of our redesigned website and private portal, we’re delivering a streamlined, intuitive experience that empowers users to access the information they need more efficiently than ever before," said Jeff Paul, vice president of marketing at VIPAR Heavy Duty. "Our investments in solutions like the new Power Heavy Duty website underscore our commitment to providing the best possible tools and resources to support business success."

The Power Heavy Duty public website, www.powerheavyduty.net, is geared toward those interested in learning more about the organization. An interactive “Find a Distributor” tool enables fleets and owner operators to easily find their local Power Heavy Duty parts and service specialist from more than 225 locations across the United States. Visitors can also view the portfolio of premium brands available through the network’s supplier partners, as well as news releases, industry event listings, and direct links to its social media platforms.

The Power Heavy Duty private portal hosts the most impactful upgrades for its distributors providing a customizable dashboard for easy navigation to frequently referenced information, enhanced search and filter functionality, and dynamic tools to help them find the right products and supplier programs to support their business and best serve their end-user customers. 

For more information on Power Heavy Duty, contact info@powerheavyduty.net. Connect via social media on LinkedIn and Facebook.

2024 IMPACT Conference Distributor Educational Session Recap

You can hardly go a day without hearing reference to the labels we have conferred upon the generations around us – the Baby Boomers, who grew up during the Cold War, Gen X who witnessed the rise of technology, Millennials who were shaped in the post-9/11 era, and Gen Z, who have only known a world immersed in digital connectivity. Never before have we named, characterized, studied, and even judged generations as we do now.

Leading these groups, each with unique and sometimes vastly different perspectives, can be challenging for those who manage them. This challenge inspired the VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies to offer a Distributor Educational Session entitled “Leading Across Generations: Creating a Collaborative, Future Ready Workforce” at their IMPACT Conference held Oct. 20-25 in Marco Island, Fla. The annual Distributor Educational Session addresses timely and relevant issues for business leaders who strive to be proactive on current workforce challenges and solutions.

The session was presented by Bill Fournet, CEO of The Persimmon Group, a business consulting firm that guides organizations in building competitive strategy, executing projects with purpose and precision, and developing the top talent needed to support growth.

Setting the Stage

Fournet began the session by helping attendees understand what makes Generation Z tick, and how to leverage the strengths of all generations on their staff. Each generation, he said, made career choices based on different desired outcomes and have goals and motivations based on their life experiences.

Baby Boomers often followed in their parents’ footsteps, especially in the trades. They are task-oriented and don’t need to understand the big picture to perform. “Boomers think ‘Give me my task and let me get it done and then I'm moving to the next thing,’” explained Fournet. They are motivated by promotions and having their expertise acknowledged.

GenX focused on the best-paying job. GenX remembers their grandparents telling them to find something they're good at that pays well, even though they may not love it. They were influenced by movies and television in which the common theme was that the kids were in charge and the parents and adults were either villains or impediments. They are motivated by recognition, experiential rewards like the corner office, and flexible schedules.

Millennials wanted jobs that followed their passion. They are looking for personal development opportunities and purpose-driven work. They were influenced by their Boomer parents, whose lives revolved around their work and who advised them to make space in their lives to enjoy the fruits of their labor. “This generation is not about being perfect; they're about being unique and this plays into their desire for you to want to understand their strengths and their motivators,” Fournet said. They are motivated by mentoring, feedback, and workplace culture.

GenZ wants to change the world through their career. They are looking for financial stability, environmental activism, and have an entrepreneurial spirit. They're a very resourceful generation that came of age in the digital space, where you can make a living online and no one even needs to know how old you are. Fournet said leaders need to keep in mind that this generation measures and judges leaders based on whether they are backing up their words with actions. They want honesty, fairness, and kindness. “They're very good at sniffing out the BS,” he added. They are motivated by responsible, meaningful work.

Three Key Strategies to Get Your Team Focused

Fournet highlighted a powerful approach to aligning teams: always start by answering, “Success to me looks like…”

“Filling in the blank on that phrase can result in game-changing performance and productivity in your organization. It's the most profound of all the techniques I've done over the last 25 years,” said Fournet. “Communicate what success looks like so everyone is on the same page.”

Leaders should focus on the meaning of what should be done to provide context, and not just provide the desired result. Fournet then presented three key strategies for leading a multigenerational workforce:

1. Increase Performance and Accountability: Traditional hierarchical structures, where leaders give orders and expect results, are no longer effective. Today’s fast-paced environment requires a more flexible, outcome-based approach. Leaders should ensure that team members clearly understand what success looks like and the boundaries within which they can make decisions. By defining clear goals and offering the autonomy to achieve them, teams are more empowered, accountable, and motivated.

It is today’s fast pace of change and constantly evolving answers and solutions that require this approach. “When that frontline person walks into a situation they were not expecting, they don't know what do – they’ve got to call their boss. They need to understand what you’re trying to do and what success looks like. Leaders provide boundaries but allow workers to use their judgment in making decisions and accomplishing tasks. Provide clear instructions on what level of authority they have, communicate when they should involve you (and any other rules), and validate what they are responsible for,” said Fournet.

2. Develop Talent Through Coaching: The focus on technical skills and experience is shifting toward adaptability, resilience, and judgment. Great leaders foster these traits by coaching team members to learn from situations and adjust as needed. Coaching shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all process; rather, it should be tailored to the strengths and needs of individuals. Providing personalized guidance helps develop employees who can think independently and handle challenges effectively.

Fournet suggests asking coaching questions that identify the reality of the situation by using “what” or “how” instead of “why.” “Instead asking ‘why did you make that decision’ ask what was behind that decision. Questions like ‘what barriers or obstacles have you faced’ or ‘what factors led to that decision.’ It puts you into a coaching mindset.”

3. Engage Across Generations: In today’s workforce, understanding generational differences is crucial for team cohesion. While older generations value recognition and upward mobility, younger employees, especially Millennials and Gen Z, seek personal development, growth, and meaningful work. Leaders should engage their teams by offering opportunities for continuous learning, setting clear expectations, and providing real-time feedback. By understanding and addressing the unique motivators of different generations, you can foster a more harmonious and productive team.

Somehow, Fournet said, managers became more focused on clients and processes than on talent acquisition and development. Leaders must challenge managers to focus more on building great teams and delegating work. “This is a real risk to an organization because you see a key person leave who is doing the work at night or behind the scenes or on the weekends, and suddenly the team doesn't know how to operate.”

“It's different than when a lot of us came into the workplace. There were primarily three things that people looked for: salary, title, and the location of their office. That's not what drives people anymore. It's where can I go for vacation, what am I going to learn, what is going to be the effect or impact,” Fournet said.

These strategies, when integrated into your leadership approach, will help maintain focus and encourage ongoing development within your team.

Bill Fournet offers a free collection of downloadable Powerplays™ on his website, billfournet.com, providing strategies for executives and leadership teams to navigate complex challenges. He can be reached at (888) 392-7101, billfournet@thepersimmongroup.com, or on LinkedIn.

The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies’ IMPACT Conference has a longstanding reputation for delivering valuable experiences for all attendees, not only on a broad scale for the large variety of players in the independent truck parts distribution network, but for niche groups like young leaders who want to dig a little deeper.

“To ensure the strength of our future, we have intentionally carved out opportunities designed to connect, educate, and encourage young heavy duty aftermarket attendees and those who work with them. We can all benefit by not only passing down our knowledge, but by listening to their fresh perspectives and generational approach to navigating the business world,” said Jeff Paul, VIPAR Heavy Duty Vice President of Marketing.

A Session for Everyone

This year’s Distributor Educational Session “Leading Across Generations: Creating a Collaborative, Future-Ready Workforce,” will show attendees how to enhance collaboration and performance across a multigenerational workforce. As Millennials have settled into the workforce, a new generation is emerging, bringing distinct values and expectations. Generation Z, primarily the children of Gen X, is set to reshape the way we work. This year’s speaker is Bill Fournet, CEO of The Persimmon Group, a business consulting firm that guides organizations to build competitive strategy, execute strategic projects with purpose and precision, and develop the top talent needed to support growth. Fournet’s presentation will cut through common misconceptions, dispelling myths while highlighting the strengths each generation brings to the table.

Constructive Networking

The GenNext Young Leaders Speed Mentoring and Reception will bring experience and ambition together. Some of the industry’s top minds will offer firsthand knowledge and guidance for personal and professional development. Industry veterans field questions and share their cumulative insight in a casual setting with those who are eager to take their careers to the next level.

The Young Leaders Roundtable Lunch is an opportunity for young professionals to make new friends and acquaintances and start building their network for the future. Sharing stories with peers as they make their mark on the business world creates bonds that will be built upon for years to come.

Northwood University Onsite for Industry Exposure IRL

Students and faculty from Northwood University will attend the conference for exposure to the aftermarket industry in real life. Dr. Thomas Litzinger, Executive Director, Aftermarket Education, University of the Aftermarket, Industry Chair, will accompany senior Ethan Moots and junior Edward MacNellis, who will attend sessions, networking events, and the trade show for a hands-on experience that will take them beyond the classroom.

The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies’ IMPACT Conference is scheduled for Oct. 20-25 at the JW Marriott Marco Island in Marco Island, Fla. The weeklong event will bring together nearly 800 distributors, suppliers and industry associates. The conference will feature business and industry updates, annual stockholder and member meetings, interactive and educational sessions, trade show, networking opportunities, and one-to-one distributor/supplier partner meetings.

When two industry veterans get together, it’s hard to, literally, not talk shop. The two co-owners of Powertrain Plus Truck Parts & Service, who joined Power Heavy Duty this year, were doing just that when they realized one had extensive parts experience, and the other knew the service business.

Learning of their complementary skill sets, the two set out to establish a distributorship and service facility that would approach things that played to their strengths and strongly focused on customer service.

“When Mert [Kahyaoglu] and I started talking about becoming business partners, we felt it was the perfect combination to best serve our industry,” said John Ferry, Powertrain Plus co-owner and CEO. “Developing our business plan, we wanted to differentiate ourselves in our market – we wanted a customer-intimate model that really focused on customer relationships.”

For the Cinnaminson, N.J.-based company, the first step was staffing the right people who know the aftermarket and prioritize customer service. “We didn’t want to have a phone menu. When customers call for parts or service, someone answers that can help, that knows trucks and can offer solutions,” Ferry said. “We remember every customer’s first name. That’s important to us.”

As they approach their one-year anniversary, Powertrain Plus has 14 employees, all seasoned in their roles and sharing the customer-intimate attitude. Nine of them work in the full-service shop which can accommodate nearly 10 vehicles.

Co-owner and CFO Kahyaoglu managed the service facility of his family’s dump-truck fleet business for many years. He brings that experience and expertise to Powertrain Plus, positioning it to specialize in severe-duty markets.

“Line-haul is still an important part of our business, but when it comes to dump trucks, waste haulers, and fire and emergency vehicles, that’s really the focus of Powertrain Plus,” said Kahyaoglu. “We provide customers with the full range of maintenance and repair work – including diesel engine repairs, replacements and overhauls – and parts for all makes and models. We want to give our customers a wide offering of product lines and Power Heavy Duty is going to help us achieve that.”

Jim Pennig, VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies’ vice president of business development, said Powertrain Plus has quickly, and successfully, implemented an ambitious and innovative business plan.

“In a short amount of time, Powertrain Plus Truck Parts & Service has taken root within their community and become a multi-faceted resource for customers,” Pennig said. “For instance, they routinely host training events – providing customers with parts and service knowledge is part of the company’s mission statement. Power Heavy Duty is proud to support them, as these are the types of business models that will continue to strengthen our network.”

For more information about Powertrain Plus Truck Parts & Service, contact help@pttruckparts.com, or visit pttruckparts.com. 

Above: John Ferry, Mert Kahyaoglu

The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies is pleased to announce Tim Tebow as the keynote speaker for the 2024 IMPACT™ Conference taking place this month in Marco Island, Florida. From humble beginnings to world-renowned dual athlete, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Tim Tebow now moves thousands of people to action as an inspirational speaker at events around the globe.

In his keynote address, “Leadership that Lasts,” Tebow will discuss the difference between temporary forms of influence and real lasting change. Through personal stories, including reflections from his sports career, Tim will talk about the power of earning respect, having a vision that people believe in, how passion is contagious, and why fighting to keep perspective matters most.

Tebow’s notoriety has been fueled by his drive to overcome adversity in the many different roles he has played in his 37 years. He is a former University of Florida Gators two-time national champion quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner, and College Football Hall of Fame inductee. He was a first-round NFL draft pick for the Denver Broncos in 2010, and later pursued a professional baseball career with the New York Mets. Most recently, Tebow is a five-time New York Times best-selling author, motivational speaker, and football analyst. The Tim Tebow Foundation, established in 2010, fights for the world’s most vulnerable people in the areas of human trafficking, orphan care, and special and medical needs.

“Tim Tebow’s reputation for leadership, positivity, and hard work will resonate with our leaders in the heavy duty aftermarket industry,” said Jeff Paul, VIPAR Heavy Duty Vice President of Marketing. “Solid leadership is the foundation for success in any business and can be a heavy load to carry. We believe Tim’s firsthand lessons on leadership, sacrifice, hard work, perseverance, and service to others will inspire our attendees to return to their organizations refreshed, motivated, and ready to tackle whatever challenges come next.”

The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies’ IMPACT Conference is scheduled for Oct. 20-25 at the JW Marriott Marco Island in Marco Island, Fla. The weeklong event brings together the heavy-duty aftermarket industry’s leading distributors, suppliers, industry associates, and aftermarket leaders. In addition to Tim Tebow appearing as the keynote speaker, the conference will feature business and industry updates, annual stockholder and member meetings, interactive panels, educational sessions, trade show, networking opportunities, and one-on-one distributor/supplier partner meetings.

The event will also include a GenNext speed mentoring session and young leaders programming focused on developing future aftermarket leadership; the Women in Business networking reception; and the IMPACT Memorial Golf Tournament to memorialize industry friends lost and raise contributions for various aftermarket charitable causes, including the nonprofit Wyakin Foundation that is dedicated to helping wounded and injured veterans transition to post-military careers.

Above: Tim Tebow

The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies announced Joy Nickoloff, MBA, has joined its team as program manager. Nickoloff will be developing industry leading programs with suppliers.

Nickoloff is a recent graduate of Northwood University’s DeVos Graduate School. Her previous professional experience includes a variety of internships in the hospitality, automotive, and public policy industries. She took an accelerated path at Northwood and said that through self-discipline and motivation, she earned her BBA and MBA in just four years. Nickoloff now looks to apply her skills at VIPAR Heavy Duty and to the heavy duty aftermarket industry.

“Northwood taught me how to network and build relationships. I accepted this opportunity at VIPAR because of the people here, and I’m excited about the growth potential of the aftermarket industry. There will always be a need, and I look forward to providing a great experience for suppliers,” said Nickoloff.

“Joy impressed us with her self-determination and professionalism,” said Larry Griffin, vice president of program management. “We strive to develop the very best programs with our suppliers, which in turn benefits our distributors and the entire network. Adding Joy to our team will help us further our reach. With her experience, education, and determination to succeed, she is more than ready to contribute at a high level.”

With the VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies nearing a record 1,000 locations, its strategic growth in serving the parts and service needs of the diesel market recently took a major leap forward with the addition of 41 new diesel specialty locations.
“Building the industry’s leading network of independent aftermarket diesel specialist distributors and service providers ensures end-user customers have convenient access to reliable, quality and expert powertrain solutions,” said VIPAR Heavy Duty President and CEO Chris Baer. “We’ve been committed to this market as we continue to expand our partnerships with top engine parts suppliers and grow our footprint of distributors and service providers throughout the Americas.”

Most recently, the VIPAR Heavy Duty network added M&D, a Humble, Texas-based manufacturer, remanufacturer and distributor of diesel engine components with 41 locations. In addition to its extensive point-of-sale operations, the company is also a supplier to other VIPAR Heavy Duty distributors and the Power Heavy Duty network.

“We have been manufacturing, remanufacturing and distributing diesel engine parts from fan to flywheel for more than 80 years,” said Justin Pasdach, M&D’s vice president of sales, marketing and national accounts. “Our remanufacturing processes have been developed and fine-tuned through collaboration with our OES suppliers, using OES tools and machinery. Whether it is our own production or the Tier 1 engine components we source, our customers expect and rely on the quality and integrity of the products we provide.”

This level of commitment and innovation has helped define the integral role the independent aftermarket has in serving the industry’s diesel engine needs. It’s not just a matter of supply and demand – no single parts and service channel can accommodate the entire needs of the industry – it’s serving end-user customers with levels of satisfaction, quality and convenience that are second to none.

Power Heavy Duty member Red River Truck Repair (Sherman, Texas) is a full-service distributor and service provider that has worked on diesel engines throughout its 41 years. Owner Don Cogburn has seen the industry go through many changes, but he’s never seen a time when independent diesel specialists weren’t essential to keeping owner-operators and fleets up and running.

“If anything, there’s more demand now, as dealerships can only do so much and independents are a reliable go-to for customers running all vehicle makes and models,” Cogburn said. “There’s also customer preference and loyalty when it comes to engine work; many times a customer chooses the independent, especially if you’ve already earned their business and trust.”

The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies’ continued growth in the diesel engine market has helped distributors and service providers expand into new areas, such as diesel specialists going headlight-to-taillight, or undercarriage specialists adding engine parts and repair to their portfolio.

To do so, it takes knowledge and experience, and that means finding the right people.

Recruiting seasoned counterpersons and service technicians – ones who know the diesel engine inside and out – is key. While their experience may command higher compensation, it will pay dividends. Access to vehicle data and diagnostics can be another challenge but, as Cogburn points out, “You can work around it. There are aftermarket tools and sometimes you need a good relationship with the local OE dealership. It may take an independent a little longer. But we make up for it with great customer service and more competitive pricing.”

In addition to resourcefulness, there are also outside resources available to independents. TRITECH Enterprises provides expert support and training for service technicians through every step of the diesel engine diagnostic and repair process.

VIPAR Heavy Duty stockholder Moreno Diesel S.A. de C.V., based in Monterrey, Mexico with 39 other locations throughout the country, is one such company who recognized a market need for quality diesel specialists and made the right investments to be a leader and continually grow their business.

“Regarding our growth, I think demand has grown considerably. We find great areas of opportunity in markets that previously did not have many diesel engine parts or service options,” said Vice President Ernesto Moreno. “We employ the best technicians and parts specialists available. We invest in facilities and in tools. We, through our VIPAR Heavy Duty relationship, provide customers with the best supplier brands that may not be available elsewhere in our regions.”

The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies’ growth and support of the diesel engine market highlight the many successful distributors, service providers and suppliers who serve it, as well as the many opportunities that remain.

“The independent aftermarket continues to evolve as the preferred channel for truck owners requiring diesel engine parts and service, particularly as those vehicles age beyond warranty coverage,” said Jim Pennig, vice president of business development for the VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies. “Our network exceeds end-user expectations for superior customer service, convenient and competitive solutions, and parts and repairs of the highest standards. Additionally, we have more than a dozen supplier partners that provide our network with complete component coverage for medium- and heavy-duty diesel engines – tier-one parts manufactured to the highest levels of quality, reliability and performance.”