Truck Parts and Service | Heavy Duty Trucking, Aftermarket, Service Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/571138
How do you service a component or system you've never seen? According to service providers suc- ceeding in the market today, the best way for an independent repair facility to catch up on new technology entering the aftermarket is through active research and training. The information you need is out there; you have to be willing to hunt for it. And the best time to start is today. It's time to learn what's on the horizon. You can fi nd valuable informa- tion almost everywhere, says Bobby Willingham, president at Davenport & Willingham. "Taking advantage of all aspects of resources by staying informed is my best short answer," he says. "In today's technological environment, training material is enormous." Willingham says his team uses relationships it has built with sup- pliers and industry associations to stay up to date about what's being introduced in the industry. Trade groups and other service providers also can be valuable resources in this area. John Wensel says he's had success at ATA's Technology & Maintenance Council meetings, where industry representatives meet to discuss current and future heavy-duty truck technology. "I started going back in my fl eet days and still go now," says Wensel, owner of Wensel's Service Centers. "That's almost 16 years." And if you can't fi nd the information you need through a few phone calls or a Google search, Willingham says you can always go straight to the source. Though they don't always make it easy, OEMs and suppliers have the information independent service providers need. "Obtaining OEM material and training is without question the hardest challenge," Willingham says. "Build- ing relationships with people, staying informed, persistence and asking ques- tions is what has worked for us. No, it's not easy or inexpensive, but it's how we provide for our families." Once you know what to expect you can begin training your people. This can be done any number of ways. Today's OEMs and component suppliers provide online and in-person training courses. Online courses are excellent resources for providing simple instruction on new maintenance and repair procedures for systems technicians already know, and as complements to in-person training classes, says Jerry Conroy, director, after- market sales at Bendix. Online training also allows an imme- diacy to acquiring information in-person courses can't match. "We put tools in place that are easily accessible so [a service provider] can get information about our products at any time," Conroy says. One area where online training falls short is in detail. In cases where new technology will result in repair process previously unseen in a shop, there's a signifi cant benefi t for techs to be able to hold, touch and feel a product to know how it's going to work. "It's a much more active way to learn," says Dave Scheer, CEO at Inland Truck Parts. John Thompson, sales manager, com- mercial vehicles, NAFTA at TMD Fric- tion, says that's an aspect his company works hard to promote with its quarterly training courses. Held at TMD's Michigan facility, How do you service a component or system you've never seen? According to service providers suc- ceeding in the market today, the best way for an independent repair facility to catch up on new technology entering the aftermarket is through active research and training. The information you need is out there; you have to be willing to hunt for it. And the best time to start is today. It's time to learn what's on the horizon. You can fi nd valuable informa- tion almost everywhere, says Bobby Willingham, president at Davenport & Willingham. "Taking advantage of all aspects of resources by staying informed is my best short answer," he says. "In today's technological environment, training material is enormous." Willingham says his team uses relationships it has built with sup- relationships it has built with sup- pliers and industry associations to pliers and industry associations to stay up to date about what's being stay up to date about what's being introduced in the industry. Trade groups and other service providers also can be valuable resources in this area. John Wensel says he's had success at ATA's Technology & Maintenance Council meetings, where industry representatives meet to discuss current and future heavy-duty truck technology. "I started going back in my fl eet days and still go now," says Wensel, owner of Wensel's Service Centers. "That's almost 16 years." And if you can't fi nd the information you need through a few phone calls or a Google search, Willingham says you can always go straight to the source. 21 Service Bay W W W . T R U C K P A R T S A N D S E R V I C E . C O M S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 5 | T R U C K P A R T S & S E R V I C E We put tools in place that are easily accessible so [a service provider] can get information about our products at any time. – Jerry Conroy, director, aftermarket sales at Bendix Inland Truck Parts relies heavily on its in-house training center to educate its staff on new vehicle systems and components.