Friddle: The Ohio Automobile Company was established in 1899, but changed its name to what in 1902?
Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.
Last Week’s Friddle: The first diesel engine for vehicles based on direct fuel-injection was built by which commercial vehicle manufacturer?
Last Week’s Friddle Answer: MAN
You never know when you’ll be in the market for a new employee. You may be fully staffed right now, but what if you were to expand your shop, adding more bays and offering additional services, and needed the extra manpower to handle the increased service volume? Or, what if you were to lose a technician to the competition? In either situation, would you be prepared to handle that void and know where to begin your search for a replacement employee?
With the goal of providing you with ideas on the best ways to recruit new employees for your shop. Babcox Research asked a sample of show owner readers for their input on the topic. Some of those responses are listed below.
10 Ideal Ways to Recruit New Employees For Your Shop
1. Contact local vo-tech schools and network with automotive instructors. Provide details about job applicant responsibilities and qualifications. And, don’t forget to outline the features and benefits of working at your shop. Potential employees want to know what your shop has to offer, too.
2. Send a shop representative to area job fairs to get the word out that you are in need of a new employee.
3. Ask your technicians for recommendations. One reader says, “stolen ‘wrenches’ are usually a good bet. Ask your techs. They always know other good ones.”
4. Consider asking your good, long-time customers for recommendations.
5. Don’t forget to tap the parts store counter people and mobile tool distributors with whom you do business. Ask these key contacts in the field if they know of anyone who’s qualified for a job at your shop or is in the market for a new job.
6. Check out employment websites and online employment advertisements. But be wary of “glorified” resumes, says another reader, as these applicants typically have serious shortcomings.
7. “Grow your own.” Seek out young people who are mechanically astute, then train them at your shop.
8. Place newspaper ads, but be very specific about the qualifications you seek. Stress job requirements and demand quality workmanship.
9. Promote that you: run a top-notch, clean shop that’s a good place to work; offer good compensation; and provide a solid benefits package.
10. You may not have to look too far. With the reality of dealership closings across the country, several professional, skilled techs are out of work. Now is the time to advertise, network and keep your shop’s name at the forefront in your market area.
Reprinted with permission of Babcox Publishing, Underhood Service May 2009.
Friddle: The first diesel engine for vehicles based on direct fuel-injection was built by which commercial vehicle manufacturer?
Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.
Last Week’s Friddle: Plymouth paid $50,000 to Warner Brothers to use the name and likeness of which cartoon character for this 1968 muscle car?
Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Roadrunner
The updated oil cooler and oil filter bypass spring (on the left, compared to original spring) is used in all JASPER remanufactured 3116 Electronic, 3126 Electronic and C7 Caterpillar engines, regardless of their original production date.
Jasper Engines & Transmissions has taken a parts upgrade that Caterpillar has made to select engines produced after a certain date and we have expanded and implemented the upgrade to include a broader range of remanufactured products.
JASPER includes a later-than-original style oil cooler and oil filter bypass spring, on all 3116 Electronic, all 3126 Electronic and all C7 JASPER Remanufactured Caterpillar engines.
“The primary reason for this upgrade is to maintain cleaner oil in the system by allowing less oil to bypass the filter during cold starting conditions,” says Fred Ernst, JASPER Diesel Marketing Manager. “This in turn forces more oil through the filter during that time. It also allows more oil flow through the cooler, resulting in maintaining cooler oil temperatures during normal engine operation.”
Where Caterpillar implemented the improvement on engines built after a certain date, JASPER makes the upgrade on any of the above-mentioned engines, regardless of their original production date.
“It’s another value added to our diesel product line in an effort to improve quality at no extra cost to the customer,” added Ernst.
Friddle: Plymouth paid $50,000 to Warner Brothers to use the name and likeness of which cartoon character for this 1968 muscle car?
Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.
Last Week’s Friddle: Originally debuting in 1936, which Lincoln model was revived in 2006?
Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Zephyr
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.
Friddle: Originally debuting in 1936, which Lincoln model was revived in 2006?
Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.
Last Week’s Friddle: What is the location of the only 1983 Chevrolet Corvette in existence?
Last Week’s Friddle Answer: There were 44 Corvettes manufactured with 1983 VIN numbers, but none were released to the public as official production vehicles. All were destroyed except for one, VIN# 1G1AY0783D5100023 (white with medium blue interior), L83 350ci (250hp engine), 4-speed automatic transmission, which is on display at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
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.
Friddle: What is the location of the only 1983 Chevrolet Corvette in existence?
Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.
Last Week’s Friddle: How fast would Santa’s sleigh have to travel to break the Thrust SSC’s (Super Sonic Car) landspeed record?
Last Week’s Friddle Answer: 764 mph
Jasper Engines & Transmissions, the nation’s leader in remanufactured drivetrain components, has incorporated the following updates into the GM 6.5L TE Running Complete diesel engine fuel system to prevent unnecessary failures.
“The weakest link on the 6.5L injection pump is the pump mounted driver, or PMD,” says Ryan Dooley, JASPER Fuel Room Manager. “To guard against unnecessary failures, JASPER installs 100% new Stanadyne PMDs across the board.”
Another common problem with this engine is a “hard start” or “no start” situation, stalling or smoking problems. These problems may be the result of a defective pump armature. To help prevent this problem, JASPER installs 100% new armatures, each equipped with a special coating to increase pump longevity.
Additional updates to the 6.5L TE Running Complete center around the injectors. “Every injector body and intermediate disk is lapped on a lapping machine to help eliminate any type of warpage and safeguard against leaks,” says Dooley. JASPER has also developed a process to vacuum check the return post of each injector. “We’ve discovered there is an issue with fuel leaks at these return posts,” added Dooley. “When we vacuum check these posts, 20% of the time we find these posts leak and have to be discarded.”
Finally, JASPER uses 100% new center sections in the turbocharger. “Due to the design of the center section of this turbo, debris will lodge in the cavities, making it virtually impossible to clean during the remanufacturing process,” says Dooley. Use of the new center sections helps prevent this type of problem.
The GM 6.5L TE Running Complete is covered by a 2-Year Parts and Labor warranty, and a One-Year warranty on the fuel system. Contact Jasper Engines & Transmissions at 1-800-827-7455, or www.jasperengines.com for more information and availability.
