National Oil & Lube News

Aftermarket Predicted to Add $32.6 Billion to Economy

The U.S. automotive aftermarket industry is expected to grow 3.4 percent annually through 2016 to $263.8 billion, adding an additional $32.6 billion to the economy. These and additional aftermarket growth figures are contained in a jointly produced Channel Forecast Model sponsored by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA).

AAIA and AASA partnered to produce the Channel Forecast Model to create a single industry view of the size, growth rate and outlook for the motor vehicle aftermarket and thus provide a unified view of the industry’s magnitude, significance and potential, importance to legislators, regulators, investors and all stakeholders.

IHS Global Insight, a global leader in economic and financial analysis, forecasting and market intelligence, conducted the market sizing and forecast for the associations. Data is based on U.S. Department of Commerce, Federal Reserve Board and U.S. Census Bureau’s data, IMR and Polk data as well as proprietary IHS economic analysis and forecasting models.

“The forecast model demonstrates that despite strong new vehicle sales, historic high gas prices and a flattening of miles driven, our industry is poised for steady growth,” said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. “Why? The average age of vehicles is 11.3 years, the oldest ever, and the age mix of vehicles continues to favor older vehicles, creating a robust sweet spot for service and repair.” 

“The forecast model anticipates that growth in population, employment and income will lead to growth in miles driven and the number of vehicles on the road resulting in long term aftermarket growth,” said Bill Long, AASA president and COO. “The Channel Forecast Model is a tool to help participants achieve that growth despite some of the major market shifts facing our industry such as vehicle telematics, increasing vehicle technology, new-model introductions and parts proliferation.”

Entering the carwash industry in 1949, Sonny Fazio discovered his passion and spent each day of his career pushing himself and inspiring everyone he encountered to do more, to be more and to try harder. We learned Fazio, founder of Sonny’s, The Car Wash Factory, recently passed. The industry is surely saddened with the loss of this pioneer and grateful for the lessons he imparted. Mr. Sonny inspired all of us to become better, and his legacy will live on. His energy, enthusiasm and love so freely given will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or by phone at 800.805.5856. At Sonny’s request, a private memorial service and funeral will be held for immediate family members only.

Looking to become a pioneer in developing truly green campuses, the school’s leadership and Operations Manager have found the school’s green initiatives to be a recruiting tool and a reinforcement of the college’s role in its communities.

Seeking environmental products, Operations Manager Mike Newton discovered G-OIL®, America’s first and only bio-based fully synthetic motor oil to receive American Petroleum Institute certification, at a nearby Wal-Mart nearly 3 years ago. Newton tracks vehicles on multiple campuses in 5 states and for the school’s highly successful sports programs that travel extensively.

After first testing G-OIL in his personal vehicles for nearly a year, Newton began switching the Lindsey Wilson College fleet of 114 vehicles, including buses, vans and cars, to G-OIL.

“We log over 1.5 million miles per year with our fleet,” said Newton. “We thought it was important to ‘walk the walk’ with G-OIL in addition to our other green initiatives.”

“We were pleased to learn of Lindsey Wilson College‘s program and their success including G-OIL in their green initiatives campaign,” said Jeffrey Loch, President and CMO of Green Earth Technologies, Inc. (GET) (OTC Bulletin Board: GETG), the makers of G-OIL.

“We believe there is a great opportunity to work together with colleges and universities, where students and entire communities are anxious to learn more about the environment and environmental products like G-OIL and our bio-based G-CLEAN® products,” said Loch.

According to Intertek research, replacing 0.01% of conventional motor oil with synthetic G-OIL is 626 metric tonnes CO2 eq., which is the equivalent of driving 1,508,447 miles in an average passenger vehicle. The study notes that a single tree can absorb 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year and that replacing 1% of conventional motor oil with G-OIL would save approximately 137 million pounds of carbon dioxide per year or the equivalent of planting 2.8 million trees.

“The environment is being changed one person, one family, one school, one community, one company at a time,” said Loch. “And as Lindsey Wilson College found, you can make positive changes and sacrifice nothing in terms of performance or cost.”

By Jennifer Hutchison, Online Marketing Specialist for InfoStreet

It’s that time again: The New Year has arrived and everyone’s excited to start 2013 on the right foot. We’re ready to tackle the biggest projects, climb the tallest mountains, and make the biggest deals. Now all we need are the right tools to help us get the job done.

To make this task easier on you, we’ve compiled a list of ten innovative apps that are bound to be big hits in 2013.

1. Sign In Blue: This year, did you make a resolution to manage your time more wisely? Then you’ll want to check out Sign In Blue, which allows users to electronically transmit signatures. No more waiting for overnight deliveries or incoming faxes; now, your contracts can be sent and received instantaneously. Imagine all the time you could save!

2. Kashoo: Since it’s a new year, why not get rid of that old bulky accounting software package and try something new? Kashoo is an accounting app designed for anyone to use. You no longer have to be an accountant to decipher your books. Let Kashoo make the work easy for you!

3. eSlip: Did your invoices pile up in 2012? Try eSlip, an invoicing app that manages and organizes your invoices. You can create product lists, send out invoices, and even keep track of your payments from any of your devices. Keep it simple and let eSlip help you organize 2013.

4. MindMeister: Maybe you want 2013 to be your year of big ideas. Forget old school brainstorming sessions. Mind Meister, with its unique “mind-mapping” technology, is a new way of brainstorming. With MindMeister, your team submits and combines ideas online from anywhere, at anytime. Best of all, you can do use MindMeister on any device you prefer. Plan a session with your team and swap notes across devices, then watch your ideas grow.

5. CanGrade: It’s a new year, and you may need to need to hire new employees. Simplify the traditional hiring process with an app that helps you screen the applicants and select the right person to join your business. CanGrade creates customized reports and evaluations that you can use when looking over potential candidates. The app even grades your applicants, making your choice that much easier!

6. Memonic: Each New Year, many resolve to become more organized. This year, keep that resolution with Memonic. Memonic is a web-clipping app that lets you clip web pages like you’re clipping the pages of a newspaper, and then organizes all of your web clippings into one easy-to-access location. Save a page and read it later, or save a snippet of an article about the fast lube industry. Stay organized the whole year with Memonic.

7. ShiftPlanning:  The busiest part of the year for lube operators is just around the corner. If you’re sick of losing time when making schedules, give ShiftPlanning a try. Create, edit and manage timesheets, payroll and schedules online. You can even send notifications for missed shifts or last minute changes while eliminating scheduling conflicts easily and quickly.

8. SandGlaz: Your task list might look empty right now, but it will quickly fill up again! You need an app that’s designed to track all of your tasks and manage your to-do list, while giving you a priority-based system for getting things done. SandGlaz offers all that and more, with a unique grid system that lets you view your tasks and keep them organized by project and priority.

9. Cake HR:  Is it time for new HR software that efficiently manages your employees’ information? Check out CakeHR, a simple app designed to manage PTO, vacation time, sick days and more. CakeHR makes managing employees and PTO a piece of cake!

10. Google Apps for Small Business: This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Google Apps for Business. This app suite has it all: Google Drive for your file sharing and word processing needs; Google Calendar to keep track of all of your contacts, events, and appointments; Google Sites to give your business a website hub; and GMail, an email client that improves your communication within and outside your business.

2013 is shaping up to becoming the year of the app. With the rise of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and cloud computing, you’re definitely going to want to add a few apps to your arsenal this year. Get a jump on your competition with these apps and make 2013 your company’s best year.

Editor’s Note: A big thank you goes out to Pat Wirth, AOCA president, for her help compiling this checklist for operators affected by the hurricane. To everyone affected by Superstorm Sandy, the staff at NOLN is thinking about you. Please keep us updated if your business was affected and how you are handling the recovery. We would like to feature operators in an upcoming issue. You can email: tammy.neal@noln.net

The Automotive Oil Change Association recently released valuable information for operators who have been affected by Superstorm Sandy.

1. File timely insurance claims for potential property damage and interrupted business.
2. If you are going to seek insurance coverage for property damage, make sure the insurance company gets to inspect the damages before undertaking major repairs.
3. Check with your state insurance department before paying any hurricane-related deductibles because most affected states have officially banned such charges.
4. Check and re-check aboveground oil storage to ensure containment of oil.
5. In the event of an oil spill or release, follow your SPCC plan!
6. Check post-flood underground storage tank stability (applies to buried tanks).
7. “Act of God” defenses rarely work in pollution scenarios, so it is important to be proactive in preventing and/or minimizing disaster-induced releases.
8. Demand proof of credentials from anyone who claims to be from or associated with FEMA or any other government entity. Most states are warning against scam artists posing as government agents.

NEW JERSEY DISASTER CLEANUP & GENERAL ASSISTANCE INFORMATION

In New Jersey, fast lube operators can get hurricane cleanup updates and information on insurance/FEMA options at http://www.nj211.org/Hurricane.FEMA.cfm or by calling 211. To help New Jersey residents as they clean up homes and businesses after Hurricane Sandy, the Department of Health has public health experts available through the state’s 2-1-1- system to answer questions about food and water safety, and mold removal. In addition, the Mental Health Association in New Jersey is offering assistance through a toll-free Disaster Mental Health Helpline: 1.877.294.HELP (4357). A TTY line is available for persons who are deaf and hearing impaired at 1.877.294.4356. This is not a joke. There’s a reason hurricanes are called disasters. Get help if you need it.

NEW INSURANCE RIGHTS FOR NEW JERSEY CITIZENS

Governor Christie signed Executive Order 107 on Nov. 2, which mandates the following:

1. In light of the National Weather Service’s categorization of Sandy as a post-tropical storm, it shall be a violation of N.J.A.C. 11:2-42.7 for any insurer to apply a mandatory or optional insurance hurricane deductible to the payment of claims for property damage attributable to Sandy.
2. All insurers, banks, savings and loans, mortgage bankers and brokers, insurance producers, real estate brokers, and any other person or entity subject to licensure or regulation by the Department shall take into consideration the difficulties related to Sandy that all citizens of the State continue to suffer and therefore exercise appropriate forbearances on collection, cancellation, documentation and other regulatory requirements, including, but not limited to: notifications of hospital admissions; due dates for claim filings, premium and loan payments and late fees; prior authorization requirements; and limitations on prescription refills.
3. All authorized and admitted property and casualty insurers subject to licensure or regulation by the Department may make first- or third-party claim payments for claims related to Sandy by methods other than those permitted by N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.8(k), such as prepaid debit cards, electronic transfer or other comparable alternative payment method, but only: (a) where the claimant agrees to receive a claim payment by an alternative payment method; (b) if the alternate payment method is not subject to any fees that would result in the insured receiving less than the full amount due; (c) if the insured is permitted, at any time, to convert any balance to cash; and (d) if the claimant is notified of applicable terms and conditions.
4. The Commissioner of the Department of Banking and Insurance is directed to take all appropriate steps to effectuate this Order.

NEW YORK DISASTER CLEANUP & GENERAL ASSISTANCE INFORMATION

In New York, fast lube operators can get updates on the latest disaster-related information at www.dec.ny.gov/public/76659.html or by calling 1.888.769.7243.

New York Department of Environmental Protection Extends Temporary Suspension of Water Discharge Permit Required to assist Homeowners and Businesses Pumping Water from Flooded Properties. To assist in the recovery from Hurricane Sandy, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is extending the suspension of permitting requirements for businesses and homeowners seeking to discharge water from flooded properties into the city’s sewer system. This suspension period is extended until November 20.

This action applies only to flood-related discharges where an expedited response is needed. If water contains significant recoverable material, such as fuel oil floating on water, that could cause significant environmental damage, all reasonable measures should be taken to collect and properly dispose of the material prior to pumping out the structure. Where a significant spill has occurred, the owner or operator must report the spill to the New York State Spill Hotline (1.800.457.7362) and use environmental contractors to handle, treat and dispose of such substances properly prior to discharging into the city sewer system. Contractors who collect and dispose of released petroleum or hazardous substances must comply with all requirements for the handling, treatment and disposal of the collected materials.

NEW YORK HOMEOWNERS NOT SUBJECT TO HURRICANE DEDUCTIBLES

On Oct. 31, Governor Cuomo announced that homeowners will not have to pay hurricane deductibles. The New York Department of Financial Services has activated a Disaster Hotline to answer consumer questions and help with problems. The Disaster Hotline number is 800.339.1759. It is staffed Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Anyone needing to file a complaint against an insurance company for violating this prohibition is encouraged to file at http://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumer/fileacomplaint.htm

Evansville, Indiana: Lucas Oil Center will provide FREE car washes to veterans and current military service personnel, through the Grace for Vets FREE Wash Program, on Sunday November 11^th from 9am-5pm, and Monday November 12^th from 7am-6pm 2012. Washes will be given rain or shine at 2650 N. Green River Rd.  The FREE washes are given to honor and recognize those that have and are serving in the armed forces.

Grace for Vets was founded by Mike Mountz, owner of Cloister Wash & Lube, in 2004. The program continues to grow and expand its reach of honoring military service each year as additional car washes register under the program to give FREE washes. Currently there is participation from all 50 United States, and three other countries, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In 2011, 638 wash operators, totaling 1,446 locations washed 119,317 military service vehicles on November 11th. Lucas Oil Center looks forward to honoring local service men and woman on November 11 & 12, 2012. Military service personnel are encouraged to visit the Grace for Vets website at http://www.graceforvets.org to find other participating washes, if a Lucas Oil Center location isn’t in their area.  “We’re excited that the program has expanded internationally as it allows more military service to be honored, says Bill & Brenda Floyd… We’re proud to be a part of an industry that continually supports our military.”

For more information on Lucas Oil Center call 812-402-5000 or visit www.lucasoilcenter.com or www.graceforvets.org.