BLOG

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:

• 1973-1976 - Ruxer Ford, Youngest member of the Ford 500 Club
• 1976 - Present - Jasper Engines & Transmissions
• President of Jasper Motorsports
• President of Penske Jasper Racing

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: 

Take advantage of this opportunity to help your business grow. Learn more about the Strive To Thrive program by contacting your JASPER Sales Representative!

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.

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 26^th.

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.

The seventh annual JASPER Shootout was held October 25th at Capitol Raceway in Crofton, Maryland.  The event was another record breaking success thanks to the efforts of event founder and coordinator David Winward, a JASPER Factory Representative serving our customers in Northern Maryland.  The JASPER Shootout raised over $7,000, with all proceeds going to the Youth Outreach Foundation (YOF), a nonprofit organization committed to helping at risk teens redirect their lives.

The JASPER Shootout has grown in popularity among Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Pennsylvania state racers who desire the opportunity to “test and tune” all afternoon.  David attributes the event success to limiting the number of entry participants, which insures that everyone can get plenty of runs in throughout the day.  The day also included a gambler’s shootout and even some cash for a lucky spectator.  This year’s 50/50 raffle was approximately $1400.00.

The Youth Outreach Foundation has helped teens stay out of trouble, as well as those in detention centers, since 1993. Through counseling and financial aid, YOF Director Hal Sparks estimates the organization has reached out to over 50,000 of these teens throughout the United States.  A team of 14 volunteer board members and 22 counselors have traveled to about 50 detention centers providing motivation and support to the teens who wish to redirect their lives. Among the many that the YOF has helped have become college graduates, tech school graduates, recipients of needed support such as transportation to and from stable jobs as well as assistance with tattoo removal expenses.

Hal Sparks and his counselors hear a common theme from these young adults, some now with families of their own: “I wouldn’t have made it without your help.”  On their behalf, we at Jasper Engines & Transmissions wish to thank David Winward, his sponsors, and all who participated in this worthwhile event.

To better serve our customers in Seattle and the surrounding area, Jasper Engines & Transmissions will be taking over distribution of JASPER products with a company-owned branch warehouse in Seatac. We will continue to operate from the existing facility at 19320 Des Moines Memorial Drive South, Suite 100 in Seatac.

You will continue to use the same toll-free phone number – 800-827-7455 – and work with the same people with whom you’ve developed relationships: inside sales staff for inquiring and product ordering; customer service; and technical support. This change will be seamless and our service will go uninterrupted.

The establishment of a company-owned location allows us greater latitude to improve upon what we can do to help make your business more successful.

Jasper Engines & Transmissions is committed to bringing remanufactured gas and diesel engines, transmissions, differentials, marine products and performance products that offer unsurpassed quality, value and service, to the Greater Northwest. Please call us at 800-827-7455, or visit us on the web at www.jasperengines.com.

Earlier this year, on February 21st, the Southern California branch held its First Annual Charity Desert Fun Run for Children’s Hospitals. This event raised over $3000.

Open to all off-road vehicles, 121 official participants made the dash ranging from Motorcycles, Quads, Jeeps, Trucks, and Buggies.  The Poker Run was a 42-mile loop through the Ocotillo Wells Recreational Vehicle Park next to the Salton Sea.  The weather was perfect and the southern California desert was full of wild flowers.  Jasper Engines & Transmissions provided a 32″ flat screen TV, Baja Designs provided a pair of Fuego lights and Off-Road Warehouse provided $200 in gift certificates as winning prizes.

JASPER Outside Sales Representative Rob Keenan coordinated the event and laid out the loop with five checkpoints participants had to reach.  Each checkpoint took participants by fascinating desert scenery and interesting landmarks.  The site known as ‘Gas Domes’ is a volcano-like bubbling pool of gray liquid and mineral rich mud.  Another attraction was the ‘Pumpkin Patch’, a unique landscape of globular sandstone concretions that look like big pumpkins.  ‘Shell Reef’ is a huge reef over one million years old with fossilized shells and little sea creatures.  ‘Devils Slide’ is an ancient 200-foot high granite and sand mountaintop with challenging hill climbs and jumps.  After reaching all the checkpoints, participants were dealt five cards with the option of purchasing additional cards to make their best poker hand. Larry Tales, owner of Jeeps R Us in Laguna Beach, was the flat screen TV winner with a full house.

Special Thanks to this year’s Sponsors and checkpoint hosts; Jasper Engines & Transmissions, Off Road Warehouse, Throttlejunkie.com, Baja Designs, Temecula Motorsports, North San Diego County House of Motorcycles, Performance Motorsports in San Juan Capistrano, Hemet Jeep Club (the oldest Jeep Club in the US), Rock Star Energy Drinks and Sports Clips.  Check out more pictures of the event on throttlejunkie.com under the photo store.

The JASPER 4-Speed Transmission played a key role in the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Series with ten victories for the year.  With driver changes and team mergers affecting
the NASCAR landscape, six full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams and two NASCAR
Nationwide Series teams ran the JASPER 4-Speed during the 2009 season on a full time
basis.

The Sprint Cup teams that ran the JASPER 4-Speed are three Toyota teams of Joe Gibbs
Racing (#11 driven by Denny Hamlin, #18 driven by Kyle Busch and #20 driven by Joey
Logano); the two Toyota teams of Michael Waltrip Racing (#00 driven by David
Reutimann and #55 driven by Michael Waltrip); and the #47 car of the JTG/Daugherty
team driven by Marcos Ambrose.

The JASPER 4-Speed Transmission also ran full time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series
entries of Michael Waltrip Racing and Penske Racing.  Michael Waltrip drove the #99 car
for his team while Justin Allgaier piloted the #12 car for Penske.

Penske NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Kurt Busch in the #2 car, David Stremme in
the #12 car and Sam Hornish, Jr. in the #77 car also ran JASPER differentials
this past season.

The NASCAR Driveline Division at Jasper Engines & Transmissions has developed a single
rail shifter design that will be available in 2010.  The single rail design offers the advantages
of less weight and fewer moving parts.  In addition, all of the shift linkage except for the
main shift rail will be internal, keeping these parts away from any outside debris.

(Click on the following link for JASPER 4-Speed Weekly Performance)
http://www.jasperengines.com/racing.php

“Building Quality Associates Through A Unique Learning Environment”

This is the mission statement of the newly established Transmission DOJO at JASPER’s Crawford County facility.  Although it’s been operational for over a year, the DOJO has undergone a facelift to better serve our customers, and our Associates.

Just what is a DOJO? Good question!  The DOJO is an off-line learning center designed to provide new and existing Associates the opportunity to learn not only about their job, but also the skills necessary to STRIVE and THRIVE in the JASPER culture.  In addition, the DOJO is used for specialized quality training, as well as re-certification training.  Led by Master Instructor, Lauralee Peppers, Associates are able to learn a process in a one-on-one environment, away from the distractions of the production area.  Associates follow a standard curriculum.  Because the training is one-on-one, JASPER can provide a specialized learning experience specific to individual’s needs.

During the first two weeks, Associates will learn:

• Disassembly, Sub-Assembly and Final Assembly       
• Basic Transmission 101
• Safety Requirements/JSA
• All parts for the specific transmission by name and function
• All tools to perform the job by name and function
• History and Culture of Jasper Engines and Transmissions
• Quality Objectives
• Tour of department and product flow
• Job Instruction Training
• Basic elements of the Jasper Production System (JPS), including:
• - Philosophy
• - 5S
• - Standard Work
• - 8 Wastes
• - Problem Solving/A3
• Continuous Improvement Program
• All computer functions
• And much, much more

As in any classroom, Associates are also given homework, pop quizzes and go on in-house field trips to better enhance the learning experience.  In the Associates’ third week, they focus on the specific job for which they were hired.  They also work toward meeting cycle times.  In addition, some Associates are moved to a transmission POD, within the production area, to give them more of a “real life” experience.  Throughout the DOJO experience, Associates are encouraged not only to Do It Right, but to Have Fun, as well.  This is evidenced by the requirements for graduation from the DOJO.

Before moving onto a full-time role, Associates will be expected to accomplish the following:

• Must be able to repeatedly perform the process, based on the standard work
• Must be able to train another Associate on the process
• Must pass a written general knowledge, parts and standard work test
• Must complete a book review on “Joe’s Garage”
• Must complete a technical research question
• Must complete a JPS skills check-off list and display application of learning
• Must submit a minimum of two (2) Continuous Improvement ideas

Once an Associate completes these steps, they can proudly say, “I Got My MOJO at the DOJO.”

Jasper Engines and Transmissions will once again be exhibiting at the ATRA Powertrain Expo at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas November 1-2. JASPER’s booth numbers are 415 and 514.  ATRA is the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association.

Event hours are 10:00 am - 5:00 pm on Sunday, November 1 and 9:00 am - 2:00 pm on Monday, November 2.

For your convenience,  please find the FREE trade show floor pass below.