Since February is the month of love, I must start by saying, I love this industry. However, February also seems to be a month of change especially, this year.
About the time we get vehicle specifications from the previous year figured out, manufacturers make new changes with new requirements. Since many new vehicles come out in the fall, you’ll start to see more of them rolling into quick lube shops this month. As always, verify you’re using the correct products.
Can you believe it’s time to start getting ready for the 2016 iFLEX show? AOCA is joining forces with the International Carwash Association (ICA) and holding the 2016 iFLEX show in Nashville, Tennessee, from May 9-11, 2016. Amanda Bowman has written some good information about the show. Read it on pg. 28 and start making plans.
This February issue is especially exciting for us because we are featuring a brand new feature called Technician of the Year. We had a hard time narrowing down the applications we received and appreciate everyone who submitted a nomination. This industry has a lot of very good technicians and I wish we could recognize everyone. Bobby Whiteside of SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service in Concord, North Carolina, took the title 2016 Technician of the Year and we couldn’t think of a more deserving person. Whiteside, is in our opinion, the best of the best and he represents the technician we all wish we had in our shops. Check out his story on pg. 14.
On a sad note, Howie Loewen, one of the pioneers of this industry, passed away on December 24, 2015. Loewen was a friend to many of us and he will be very missed. In fact, one reason I always looked forward to the iFLEX show was because it was a chance to see Loewen and say, “Hello.” He was always willing to participate as a presenter at the show and his sessions always ranked among the highest in attendance. Of all the comments I have heard, the one I like the most is, “Because of Howie, our industry is a better place.” Indeed, I agree.
STEVE HURT is the publisher of National Oil & Lube News.
