Truck Parts and Service | Heavy Duty Trucking, Aftermarket, Service Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/237360
Cover Story Figure 4 Aftermarket employment trends in 2013 40% 20% Our total personnel rose in 2013 We had no net change in personnel in 2013 Our total personnel fell in 2013 41% 43% 16% Figure 5 Average technician ages in 2013 40% 20% Our average technician age is less than 30. Our average technician age is 31-45. Our average technician age is 46-60. Our average technician age is older than 60. 16 T R U C K PA R T S & S E R V I C E | 8% 59% 32% 1% January 2014 2012]," says Reimondo. "We never met our expectations then and it felt like we weren't able to get ourselves back on track." He cites several factors for the mid-year turnaround. An economic rebound was the biggest change. The political questions lingering over the economy in the early months of 2013 were answered, and when Congress returned to work in the spring questions over the 2012 election's impact were resolved. Not every shift benefited the economy, but just having answers to so many long-unanswered questions proved to be a positive. For the first time in months, businesses nationwide could reasonably predict what was ahead of them. Reimondo says that assurance alone was enough to finally kick start growth. "I think all marketplaces reach a comfortable level and we were able to get there," he says. "Do I think everyone likes where we are from an economic status? No. But at least now people have an idea of where we are and where we're going." The business climate in general became stronger as the year progressed, adds Jim Pascale, president at Pascale Service Corporation. "I think we cleared a few financial hurdles [during the year] and that made a big difference." According to a Truck Parts & Service reader survey, more than 81 percent of aftermarket businesses posted sales in 2013 equal to or greater than 2012, and nearly 70 percent of businesses reached or surpassed their 2013 sales goals. (See Figures 1 and 2) From a supplier perspective, Eaton's Amy Kartch says the aftermarket rebounded nicely in 2013 considering its slow start. "I would say our aftermarket business has performed well given overall industry performance," says Kartch, who serves as Eaton's global director for its aftermarket vehicle group. Kartch adds Eaton was able to identify the economic factors limiting the market before the year and planned accordingly. And while the company is "always optimistic" regarding growth, she says it understood the sluggish activity early in the year would impact the speed in which the aftermarket grew. "We're pleased with our sales in the context of the market," she says. "The first quarter was felt by all," adds Mark Chung, global marketing director at Cummins Filtration. "As the year progressed it really picked up."