APRA Says “Remanufacturing Means Jobs”

Although ISS has kept pace with changes in both the remanufacturing and manufacturing industries, it often seems like media (and America at large) often overlook the real environmental and economic value of the former in favor of the latter. Manufacturing gets the hype, while reman gets ignored. The truth, though, is that we feel each has a special niche in parts supply.

We fully stand behind the APRA (Automotive Parts Remanufactures Association) when they sent a letter to all 100 members of the U.S. Senate and 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives. APRA President Bill Gager asked them to seriously look at remanufacturing as a way to create jobs.

Gager stated, “Nothing creates good permanent jobs like the remanufacturing industry. So, as you (Congress) begin to deal with job creation in today’s economy, we would encourage you to seriously look at how public policy may be used to help the remanufacturing industry expand here in the United States.”

APRA estimates that there are more than 500,000 jobs in the remanufacturing industry and they include products as diverse as automotive and truck parts, toner cartridges, electronic equipment, cell phones, office furniture, locomotive, electrical transformers, air conditioning compressor units for office buildings,off-road construction equipment, agriculture and mining equipment, hydraulic pumps for all types of applications, and the list goes on.

Gager added, “Just about anything that is manufactured can be remanufactured, adding a second or third life to capital goods.”

Gager concluded, “Trade promotion, tax credits, job creation incentives and targeted grants are some ways to help the remanufacturing industry expand. We ask all members of Congress to join us in our mission of job creation.”

ISS has seen first-hand how warranty remanufacturing can create American jobs, because we have done it. Over the past 15 years our instrument, audio, BCM, and circuit board remanufacturing and exchange facilities have tripled in volume, adding numerous great employees to our own team. Our specialty is combining warranty remanufacturing and customer-pay remanufacturing, but we have seen both sides grow for us.

ISS does not pick favorites in deciding between build-new manufacturing and remanufacturing. Every client we speak with has unique needs in its supply chain. (Sometimes, we find that a mix of both can be the most cost-effective solution, where we both manufacture components and use those components for remanufacture.)  But we are happy to see the attention shift a little toward an industry that is by nature both green and focused on American job creation.

How can we help you find a solution for your company? Contact Us today!

Lockout Technology Secures Replacement Parts, and Profits, for Vehicle Manufacturers and Tier-One Parts Suppliers

Over the past decade, we have seen a major trend in vehicle manufacturers to include Lock-Out Technology in high-value components. These computer chip-based systems require parts to have factory-issued security codes to correspond to vehicle parts, or they will not function.  Increasingly, high-value replacement parts must be Vehicle Manufacturer (VM) approved, or they are useless.

The relative cost to implement this technology into existing chips is fairly small relative to the gain in market share it may realize. Thus, business is booming in this area.  In one high-end manufacturer that we are aware of, the security technology appears in all the following parts:

• Key/Lock Alarm System
• Steering Lock
• Shifter Lock
• Pushbutton Start System
• Engine PCM
• Instrument Cluster
• Transmission Shift Actuator
• Transmission TCU

Typical Vehicle Network

How this Impacts the Auto Industry

In many cases this prevents that part from being remanufactured or even re-used in the aftermarket. This drives parts business away from independent aftermarket suppliers and toward the vehicle OEM-authorized distribution network, where both the OEM and the Tier-One suppliers can capture more market.

Obviously, many in the aftermarket see this as a major threat. Salvage shops and parts repair shops, that make their livelihoods off high-value parts like transmissions seem the most threatened at the moment. But even major parts distributors must wonder how long before starter motors, alternators and other parts need a specially coded computer chip to function properly. However worrying it may be to them, though, the practice is perfectly legal. And for profit-motivated OEM’s looking to both horizontally and vertically integrate, it’s inevitable.

This of course does not mean that the OEM can simply charge whatever it wants for replacement parts. The aftermarket is adaptable so some levels of reverse engineering are going to be inevitable. More importantly, though, in today’s competitive auto industry Total Cost of Ownership is more than a buzzword. Consumers want vehicles that are affordable to maintain, and no Vehicle Manufacturer can afford to be known for outrageous repair prices. These codes are a path to replacement parts market share, not a license to print money without regard to the vehicle brand. Driving down costs for the OEM and the consumer is a major focus at ISS. As is the drive to improve quality.

Scott Haugen, President at ISS, puts it best: “ISS sees the rise of this technology as an opportunity. We operate as both a Tier-One/service parts supplier, and as a Factory Authorized Remanufacturing Center. On the Tier-One side, it opens us up to a larger customer base, as we are the ones working with the Manufacturer to supply specially coded replacement parts. On the remanufacturing side, we work with the OEM to ensure parts are properly coded during the remanufacturing and exchange process.

“For both, we offer the highest quality of parts manufacturing and remanufacturing processes available anywhere, ensuring TS-level quality for both the Vehicle Manufacturer and the end consumer.”

For more than 60 years, our clients have often found us to be the shortest, easiest, most high-quality path for the VM and our Tier-One colleagues to capture aftermarket parts market share. We view this lockout technology to be an excellent means to that end.

For more information on how we can help you in the future contact us today!
Source: APRA

Fuel Efficiency Hot Topic for Manufacturers & Fleets at Work Truck Show

The NTEA Work Truck Show kicked off last week in Indianapolis with the Green Truck Summit. Discussions were based around factors affecting the commercial truck industry such as rising fuel prices, alternative fuel sources, and the role government is playing in the changing landscape. It was evident that the industry is focused on increased fuel efficiency and innovation.

While attending the Work Truck Show, I spoke with Carla Anglin, Director of Business Development for BrandFX Body Company. BrandFX has been producing lightweight composite truck bodies for decades. The BrandFX truck body line has provided fleets a highly effective means of fuel and maintenance savings since their beginning in 1984; before U.S. dependency on foreign oil was a political talking point and before government subsidies provided thousands of dollars for alternative fuel systems. BrandFX Body owner, Lee Finley said, “We were green before green was cool”.

When asked about the NTEA Work Truck Show Carla mentioned, “The NTEA is a valuable resource for BrandFX, we look to them for everything from representing the interests of our industry to congress, market information, even for training resources”. BrandFX is a MVP verified member of the NTEA, and is involved in the Green Truck Summit. The Work Truck Show is a convenient way for them to meet with distributors, announce new products and raise awareness of their product offerings.

As the focus to reduce oil consumption continues, BrandFX believes their product is “An idea whose time has come”, as today’s market is motivated to seek out lightweight solutions. This wasn’t always the case. In the early days, BrandFX composite truck bodies were valued for being rust free and allowing fleets to reduce their total GVW to avoid Frost Law restrictions. While alternative fuels and support infrastructure are being developed, lightweight composite offers immediate sustainable solutions in fuel efficiency and maintenance that business and government fleets can incorporate for profitable, sustainable fleet operations. Lighter truck bodies allow for smaller chassis, and a compounding effect in light-weighting that yields tremendous budget efficiencies over heavier trucks. This is a proven cost benefit, no matter what changes come in the form of alternative fuels.

The Department of Energy’s current efforts to help boost fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions is taking shape in a number of markets and applications. Most efforts are focused on passenger vehicles, but efficiency demands are coming for heavy-duty commercial trucks and trailers. Some of these initiatives include light-weighting, aerodynamics, alternative fuels, and new power train technologies.

The landscape will be changing in the next decade. Fleet managers are concerned about large investments into new technology, when perhaps other technologies will prove to become the mainstream. In other words, you would hate to have a fleet of Betamax, only to be up-staged by VHS, then DVDs and now streaming video…

Matt Koehmstedt is the Aftermarket Business Unit Manager for ISS. For more information about manufacturing fuel gauges and sensors, visit Instrumentsales.com. Truck fuel sensors and truck gauges can be found at PartDeal.com.

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Dub box USA announces itself as an American manufacturer of retro, lightweight, customizable campers

Portland, Oregon – Owners Shane Medbery and Heather Bauccio are excited to
introduce Dub box USA campers and retail/food carts. The concept was born from American vintage
trailers, merged with retro styling and infused with modern conveniences for style and comfort.
Dub boxes will appeal to a wide range of buyers. They are simple, fun, stylish campers that can be
enjoyed traditionally at a destination camp ground or customized for a small business and corporate use.
Dub box USA will appeal to the outdoor and sports enthusiast, the vintage and custom car crowd, the
food and retail cart entrepreneur, and companies looking for a portable event hosting cart or a brand
awareness and marketing tool. The appeal is endless.

Dub boxes are lightweight enough to be towed by many vehicles, compact enough to be stored in a
garage, the exterior and interior decor is entirely customizable and the layout can be altered to suit the
needs of its intended use. Dub box USA will offer a do-it-yourself model, a completed camper with a
selection of finishes, and total customization to build a camper that is uniquely you. The beauty is that
it is limited only to the customer’s imagination.

Heather Bauccio commented, “We believe our Dub boxes offer an attractive price point so everyone
can experience the fun. We are especially optimistic that manufacturing the Dub box in the USA and
supporting our local economy really means something to the buyer.”
Shane Medbery added: “At Dub box we believe there is a niche for campers and trailers in this size.
They are larger than teardrop trailers, but not nearly the size of a typical tow behind camper. We think
their compact size coupled with the opportunity for customization makes them desirable in so many
situations.”

To learn more visit www.dub-box-usa.com.

Peugeot in Talks with GM on Possible Alliance

PARIS — Shares in French car maker PSA Peugeot Citroën soared Wednesday after it emerged the company is in talks with U.S. auto giant General Motors Co. about a possible alliance, as it grapples with weak sales and a raging price war in Europe in the small-vehicles segment, on which it relies for most of its business.

French labor minister Xavier Bertrand confirmed the talks on French radio. “The chairman of the group (Peugeot Citroën) informed me last night of these discussions over a strategic partnership,” he said.Peugeot issued a statement Wednesday morning after the news was first reported in French newspaper La Tribune, confirming it was in discussions on a potential alliance or cooperation agreement with another company, but didn’t identify the other party. It said there was “no certainty at this stage that these discussions will result in any agreement.”

Peugeot shares skyrocketed 16 percent to €16.64 ($22.02) by midmorning. By contrast, the blue chip Paris CAC 40 index was down 0.4 percent.

“The talks are not aimed at a takeover,” said a person familiar with the matter. “Both companies would remain independent entities and responsible for their respective operations. They’re mainly looking at possibly sharing technology and developing certain components together.”

Another person familiar with the matter said “everything is on the table, up to and including some sort of cross-minority shareholding.”

A GM spokesman said his company won’t comment on “speculation.”

As they struggle to deal with chronic overcapacity in their core market, European car makers are increasingly tempted to link up with competitors to share the development, engineering and manufacturing costs of new vehicles and technology.

Peugeot Citroën, Europe’s second-largest automotive group by volume after Germany’s Volkswagen AG, is in the midst of a major austerity plan. Last week, France’s biggest auto maker said its automotive division had operating losses in 2011 and had burned through €1.65 billion of cash. To stop the hemorrhaging it stepped up its cost-savings plan for 2012, while freezing or downscaling some capital-expenditure programs, including a planned assembly plant in India.

By contrast, General Motors, which was moribund three years ago before it was bailed out by the Obama administration, last week reported a 62 percent jump in net income to $7.6 billion for 2011.

But GM’s Opel and Vauxhall brands in Europe are also struggling. GM’s European businesses is still in the red, though it has clawed back from the type of steep red ink seen in 2010. However, GM had originally targeted breaking even in 2011. GM has acknowledged that much more restructuring is necessary, but hasn’t been more explicit as talks continue with unions over reducing costs.

Last week, the head of GM Europe’s Opel and Vauxhall brands said the auto maker isn’t cutting back investments on new cars as talks continue with unions over reducing costs, but he shed little light on what concrete measures could be taken to make the business profitable again. Talks with labor unions might take “a couple of months,” said Karl-Friedrich Stracke, GM vice president and president of General Motors Europe, during a conference call. He declined to elaborate on a specific time frame or measures GM is looking into to make Opel and Vauxhall financially viable.

Peugeot already has industrial alliances with other car makers. They include Toyota Motor Co., Ford Motor Co., BMW AG, Mitsubishi Motors Co. and Fiat Automobile.

A linkup between GM’s European operations and those of Peugeot Citroën would help give both companies the scale they need so badly. Peugeot Citroën chief executive Philippe Varin reaffirmed last week that his company is open to alliances with other auto makers, provided they respect three criteria: they must fit in with Peugeot Citroën’s strategy; create significant synergies; and respect the French company’s independence.

Bernstein Research analysts said in a note that consolidation in the European industry is desirable and that a linkup between Peugeot and GM “might work in the end.” But it said “a loose alliance could only be a temporary solution, while a full deal may need more capital,” assuming that Peugeot would be the lead partner in a deal, and not GM.

Unlike in North America, car makers avoided large-scale cutbacks in Europe during the industry slump in 2008 and 2009 when massive job cuts at high-profile manufacturing sites like car factories proved too politically sensitive.

ISS Expands Availability to Millions by Opening PartDeal.com

Over the past 60 years, ISS has had the broadest selection of specialty instrument, switch, air conditioning and cable products in the industry. With premium brands ranging from Red Dot to Stewart Warner to Cole Hersee, their jobber, fleet, OEM and installer customers have greatly benefited from a massive selection of high-quality parts.

With the introduction of the overhauled PartDeal.com, thousands of parts will be available to a far broader market. “We’re still supporting our fantastic commercial customer network,” notes ISS General Manager Matt Koehmstedt. “We just see this as a great opportunity to make it easier for the guy with the toolbox and a tractor to find what he needs online.” Partdeal.com primarily focuses on heavy-duty applications. “We support tractors, construction, off-road equipment…if it’s got a diesel engine, we can probably help you,” notes Matt. “And we’ve invested in taking literally thousands of photographs of our parts, so a lot of the time people will be able to see exactly what they are getting before they order. But we’ve also got stuff for guys that are into performance and other things.”

Grand Opening starts today and will feature special items and free T-shirt with a $75 order on partdeal.com

The force was with the Oregon Ducks this Rose Bowl

PASADENA, Calif. — The Oregon Ducks had waited 95 years to win another Rose Bowl, and the last few seconds stretched for an eternity. The players in mirrored helmets held each other back on the sideline, waiting on tiptoes for video review to confirm Wisconsin was out of time.

The most futuristic & stylish team in college football had buried another bit of history, and that revolutionary offense finally has a shiny trophy that will look right at home among those eye-catching uniforms.

Darron Thomas passed for three touchdowns, De’Anthony Thomas scored on runs of 91 and 64 yards, and the Ducks earned their first bowl victory under coach Chip Kelly, holding off the Badgers 45-38 Monday night in the highest-scoring Rose Bowl ever played.

“None of us were around 95 years ago, and we never talked about it,” Kelly said. “We’re a forward-thinking operation, and we’re always looking ahead.”

Maybe so, but it’s unlikely anybody from Oregon will forget how this one ended.

What a great way to spend the afternoon on a typical Oregon day, lets hope they bring some sunshine back.

Regardless if you were tailgating, at your favorite hangout bar or at home with friends and family, that… was an exciting game.

Obi-wan Kenobi would be proud… To the Ducks…. ROSE BOWL CHAMPIONS 2012

Happy New Year 2012

Tips for 2012

- Awareness of what behavior or trait you want to eliminate and/or create.

- Let Go of past mistakes – don’t beat yourself up, rather focus on positive results.

- Inspire yourself with an exciting and creative goal that will guide you.

- Visualize what it will take to achieve your goal.

- Energize for the journey to your goal with: physical, mental, emotional.

- How will I engage with Instrument Sales this coming year.

Dealerships around the county are unaware that ISS is one of the largest west coast remanufacturing facilities that can help with with their instrument clusters & radios. Our process is simple. Our shipping is fast. Our customer service is superior. Change is good.

We have built a reputation that exceeds our competitors by carrying electro-mechanical parts that others just don’t stock. ISS has had the broadest selection of specialty instrument, switch, air conditioning and cable products in the industry. With premium brands ranging from Red Dot to Stewart Warner to Cole Hersee, their jobber, fleet, OEM and installer customers have greatly benefited from a massive selection of high-quality parts.

Don’t forget about our most recent overhaul we just did on Partdeal.com which primarily focuses on heavy-duty applications. “We support tractors, construction, off-road equipment…if it’s got a diesel engine, we can probably help you!” Widely regarded as the national expert in this areas, their site will host the largest selection of pyrometers, lead wires thermocouples on the internet. We are improving the site daily by offering features that our customers have been asking for.

Social media…. We Tweet, We Post, We Poke, We want you to “LIKE US”. Make 2012 a year to remember.
“Go ahead, make our day”

No more truck idling in Oregon

Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber (D) has signed a measure that restricts truck idling while also preventing local governments from implementing their own anti-idling regulations. Under the legislation, signed June 16 by the Governor, trucks would not be allowed to idle their engines for more than five minutes is a 60 – minute period. The legislation grandfathers current local idling laws bur prohibits passing new idling laws, in an attempt to treat trucking regulation consistently.The bill also authorizes the state and local police to enforce the anti-idling regulation, rather than the state’s (DEQ) Department of Environmental Quality.

Instrument Sales & Service has a few solutions. As a large distributor of Cole Hersee, we offer a line of Low Voltage Disconnects and FlexMod modules which are designed to shut off non-starting circuits when the battery voltage drops below what’s needed to re-start the vehicle. We also carry a large selection of RedDOT products including the R1200 and R1205 which can run off of a bank of batteries. No more truck idling can save you money in the long run if you use a Timer. The timer only uses 1 gallon of Diesel for up to 20 hours.

ISS can jump start your cold idling season. Contact a customer service representative today for additional questions or to order.

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Customer Service reigns supreme at ISS

In much of today’s business, excellent customer service seems to be lost as part of the overall customer experience.

Many times automation or other quick fixes are used to reduce cost and speed answers through the system to keep the product moving, many times at the expense of the customer and long term satisfaction with the product or service you may provide.

At ISS we pride ourselves in providing expert customer service to ALL customers. This includes internal as well as external customers. Contrary to popular belief there is not an endless supply of customers. In today’s highly competitive marketplace excellent customer service will retain hard to get customers and provide a tool to get other customers. By treating our internal customers the same way, we keep highly trained employees and they in turn are able to share their expertise with those customers that need it.

The following is a excerpt from a conversation between an ISS customer and an outside sales person at ISS.

“I just got off the phone with a VERY happy customer in California.  I called to see how we were doing, and the customer went on and on about all the help he received from Jack and Derek (2 long time techs with ISS) on a particular cluster that he was working on.”  The customer said, “…it’s that kind of service that makes ISS special.  At most places, if you’re lucky, you might get a tech to talk to, but they’ll speak all sorts of techie Greek and Jibberish, all the while being very boring and slightly rude, but not here at ISS!!”

As you can see by this quote excellent customer service is alive and well at ISS.  We take pride and will accept nothing less than excellent customer service not only in the Customer Service Department but throughout our organization. The proof is in the pudding as the old saying goes.

If you have had a similar experience, by all means boast away…. we would love to hear from you!!

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