Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.
Last Week’s Friddle: What sports car, originally manufactured in Northern Ireland, featured stainless steel body panels and gull-wing doors?
Last Week’s Friddle Answer: DeLorean DMC-12
Would you like your repair facility to be busier? Would you like to grow and improve your profits? Are you looking for simple and effective things you and your staff can do to grow? If you answered YES to any or all of these questions, the JASPER “Strive To Thrive” program will benefit you.
“Strive To Thrive” was designed by JASPER’s Customer Advisory Group to help independent garage owners (IGOs) grow and be more profitable. The program has been tested in major cities with amazing results. Some IGOs have reported some super results in just 60 days!
The cost to attend Strive to Thrive? Four hours of your time, initially. If your spouse, child, partner or key Associates want to attend, they are welcome too.
Doug Bawel, President of JASPER, is the presenter of Strive To Thrive. His resume reads like the “Who’s Who” in the automotive industry:
Doug’s real passion is helping others. He believes in the success of the small independent business operation and has devoted a large portion of his life to helping others. In 2003, Doug was named Business Man of the Year by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
“During the presentation, we will share over 50 ideas that work,” says Bawel. “Only ideas that work will be shared.”
Upcoming Strive To Thrive events for 2010 include:
| Evansville, IN | (March 3rd) |
| Louisville, KY | (March 4th) |
| Cincinnati, OH | (March 9th) |
| Columbus, OH | (March 10th) |
| Indianapolis, IN | (March 18th) |
| Detroit, MI | (March 30th) |
| Grand Rapids, MI | (March 31st) |
| Cleveland, OH | (April 19th) |
| Pittsburgh, PA | (April 20th) |
Take advantage of this opportunity to help your business grow. Learn more about the Strive To Thrive program by contacting your JASPER Sales Representative!
Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.
Last Week’s Friddle: The Clean Air Amendments of 1990 mandated the elimination of lead from all U.S. motor fuel by what date?
Last Week’s Friddle Answer: January 1, 1996
March 2, 2010 - Jasper Engine and Transmission Exchange announces the transfer of 100% of their stock to a newly formed company - Jasper Engine and Transmission 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
Doug Bawel, President/CEO, said “We are so proud of what our Associates have built the last 68 years. We wanted to have a method to reward our people for their efforts, preserve the jobs in the Communities of Southern Indiana and Willow Springs, Missouri, along with passing along the JASPER Legacy. It was a natural fit and the right thing to do.”
“This ESOP, unlike most ESOP’s, is 100% financed by the Shareholders”, Bawel added. “We want our Associates to know the management team is going to be very active to make sure our Great Company is poised for generations to come. We are excited to be a part of this transition and legacy. Our Customers will continue to experience the highest quality products and service in our industry.” He went on to add, “Our benefit and pay package remains unchanged including our very successful Quarterly Bonus and 401-K Profit Sharing Plan.”
This 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan is an additional retirement benefit made available to All full time Associates throughout all subsidiaries of the country.
Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.
Last Week’s Friddle: What car company’s name means “I roll” in Latin?
Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Volvo
April could be the most important month of 2010 for your shop. April is National Car Care Month, but why is it the most important Car Care month ever?
It’s no secret that 2009 was a rough year for many shop owners. The market research information that I have seen from IMR Inc. shows that the average number of repair orders were below 2008 levels for seven of ten months between January and October. That’s not a great sign. Sure, there were some shops that had a strong year; congratulations. But, there were more that didn’t.
And not only was it a tough year for businesses, it was very tough for consumers - your customers. They have been watching their household budgets get pinched from all directions. And, the fact is consumers have been delaying their vehicle maintenance and repairs for as long as possible.
Car Care month is the car owners’ opportunity to have their vehicle inspected for free. It is your opportunity to help them out and give them the information they need so they can prioritize their household expenditures and, hopefully, find some money for vehicle maintenance and repair work.
The Car Care Council does a great job providing all the tools you need to host a great event. At www.carcare.org, you will find a wealth of information on how your shop can participate in the “Be Car Care Aware” campaign and National Car Care month, including a:
Whether you conduct vehicle checkups on site at your shop or get involved in an expanded, multi-faceted event, there is a strong need for consumer education about the benefits and value of vehicle preventive maintenance.
There are plenty of vehicles on the road in need of repair. Taking steps to ensure your shop is known as the provider of quality service bodes well for your shop’s success, and the longevity and safe operation of your customers’ vehicles.
Reprinted with permission of Babcox Publishing, Underhood Service February 2010.
Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.
Last Week’s Friddle: A flat-6, air-cooled engine powered what Chevrolet automobile produced in the 1960’s?
Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Corvair
The Union City, California, branch of Jasper Engines & Transmissions took home the President’s Award for 2009 at the company’s annual sales banquet January 26th.
Recognized as JASPER’s top branch award, the President’s Award is based upon overall percentage improvements in every product category. In addition, the Union City Branch received awards for Most Improved Profits, Most Improved Sales Volume, and was JASPER’s number one branch in Customer Retention.
“I want to pass along congratulations to all the Associates of the Union City branch for winning the President’s Award,” says Zach Bawel, Jasper Vice-President of Sales. “We are looking forward to continued growth in the California market, and we know that Union City will continue to be a great branch. Hopefully, they will be a repeat Presidents Award winner.”
Individually, Outside Sales Representative Jon Schuetz was a Silver Performance Level recipient and Fred Salazar was a Bronze Performance Level recipient. Both men were honored for their company sales increases in 2009 over the previous year. In addition, Salazar was recognized as one of JASPER’s top five Rookie Sales Reps for 2009. Meanwhile Schuetz, along with David Williams and Gary Roberts, were recognized as three of JASPER’s top five Veteran Sales Reps for 2009.
Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.
Last Week’s Friddle: Which car company was the first to offer modern cruise control?
Last Week’s Friddle Answer: In 1958, Chrysler introduced speedostat controls in the Imperial, New Yorker and Windsor.
February 2, 2010
Coulterville, IL - Today El Grande Lures of Linton, Indiana announced that Chad Morgenthaler, an FLW Tour pro from Coulterville, Illinois, has joined the company’s pro-staff.
The timing couldn’t be better. With FLW Tour season about to commence on Louisiana’s Red River, Morgenthaler is on the hunt for monster bass. Fortunately, El Grande’s products should give him the edge he needs. The company’s lures are most frequently used on the big bass factories of Texas and Louisiana, but they’ll work anywhere that trophy bass swim.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to work with a great soft plastics company like El Grande Lures,” Morgenthaler said. “I hope to play an instrumental part in helping to brand and market their products as they broaden and expand their business plan. It is always an honor to be included in the design process while a company ‘tweaks’ their products to maximize their effectiveness.”
El Grande’s owner, Jay Schurz, said the following: “We are excited about this partnership as Chad will be instrumental in working directly with me in product design. Chad fully understands our niche in the market, which is creating big soft plastics with industry leading color schemes. We look forward to many years of working with Chad and hope to be an integral part of helping Chad achieve his goals.”
El Grande Lures currently has three products in its lineup:
For more information about El Grande Lures, go to www.elgrandelures.com. For more information about Chad Morgenthaler, go to www.chadmorgenthaler.com.
