Send us a text Episode 344: Having a strong ‘why’ for your heavy-duty parts company is critical for success. It also is what will guide you when faced with decisions and opportunities. In our That’s Not Heavy Duty segment, we discuss why working without purpose is not heavy-duty and how many employees would prefer working for a company that has pur…

Send us a text Episode 343: Proper planning can prevent poor performance in your heavy-duty parts business and can also reduce break downs on the side of the road. As winter comes, one of the ways to prepare is to make sure you have good batteries – on the shelf in your parts store, and in your vehicle. Our guest, Jeremy Cordray from EnerSys, helps…

Send us a text Episode 342: We are happy to have captured this discussion with the now-retired Wayne Cochrane, past National Sales Manager of Redline Emissions Products. With many older ones retiring and leaving the industry, making sure we can still benefit from their years of experience is very important. Have you ever wondered how to know if a D…

Send us a text Episode 341: How are tariffs affecting heavy-duty parts companies? In this in-depth discussion, we talk about the history of tariffs, the real reasons behind them and whether they will go up in the near future. After preparing for this episode, Jamie Irvine and Scott Boltz discovered that tariffs are not what they thought and there i…

Send us a text Episode 340: The team at SSR Lighting was encouraged to look into options for interior trailer lighting after safety concerns from companies like Ford. After trial and error and thinking through obstacles like forklift strikes, extreme weather, and batteries that can’t sit for months unused, they now have a great product that can lig…

Send us a text Episode 339: At the Heavy Duty Consulting Corporation, we have partnered with TRAITS to help you with your people and organization. Having the right people is so important when predicting the success of your heavy-duty business. TRAITS is a psychometric assessment tool that can help you evaluate your team based on their personality f…

Send us a text Episode 338: We’ve been working hard at the Heavy Duty Consulting Corporation to create the only business development system of its kind that is exclusively dedicated to the heavy-duty parts industry. We are proud to announce that we have developed a training program specifically for Parts Managers. In line with that new course offer…

Send us a text Episode 337: Having the right people in your business is very important for success. The ‘right people’ must have a combination of experience and expertise, but more importantly, must have a great attitude and the personality traits needed to be successful in their role. Speaking of a great attitude, our interview with successful tru…

Send us a text Episode 336: Financial headwinds are slowing the trucking industry down. Parts companies must improve their value proposition, and one of the quickest ways to accomplish this is to bring innovative products to the attention of customers and help them lower their total cost of operation. From the fleet’s perspective, finding ways to r…

Send us a text Episode 335: Technology is revolutionizing the heavy-duty parts industry, but how can it keep pace with the challenges of accurate parts identification? Join us as Joe Steward from Betts Truck Parts shares his experience of using modern tools, training, and exceptional customer service to bridge the knowledge gap left by retiring exp…

Send us a text Episode 334: Technology is not only changing on commercial vehicles, but it is changing parts manufacturing and distribution as well. In our interview we will be airing a rerun of one of our most popular interviews in the last year from when our host visited the Clarios booth at AAPEX 2023 and talked about low voltage battery technol…

Send us a text Episode 333: What if a simple brake inspection could save lives on the road? In this episode we talk about the life-or-death importance of Brake Safety Week, running from August 25th to August 31st, 2024. This safety week is organized by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). We emphasize the crucial role of brake upkeep, esp…

Send us a text Episode 332: What happens when a passion for racing go-karts evolves into a career in the machining industry? Our featured guest Alan Speyrer, owner of AES Machine, transformed a love for problem-solving and machining into a successful business. Discover how a simple conversation about Peterbilt hood hinges led to him engineering sup…

Send us a text Episode 331: When you run a heavy-duty parts and service business you are often faced with decisions where you have to weigh two competing things and make tough decisions. The trucking industry faces this on a national level. With so many new environmental regulations coming in, can the heavy-duty industry really come up with new tec…

Send us a text Episode 330: In this episode we talk training – why it is so necessary, ways to make it accessible to employees and customers, and why some companies refuse to train their people. Our host, Jamie Irvine, starts by discussing 3 myths that some believe about training – namely that it is too expensive, not worth the time, or that it is …

Send us a text Episode 329: Being reactive costs the trucking industry millions of dollars every year. Once something breaks down, it is costing you so much more money than if you planned for it in advance. Most people understand this for fleets and owner-operators, but we see this all the time as we consult with heavy-duty parts manufacturers, dis…

Send us a text Episode 328: In these volatile times it is more important than ever to pay attention to the important things in your business rather than only focusing on the urgent day to day tasks. Being proactive and having a solid plan can be the difference between your business struggling or even failing during hard times or emerging from those…

Send us a text Episode 327: Retaining skilled technicians in the heavy-duty repair industry is a challenge that many businesses face. High turnover rates can be costly and disruptive, impacting the overall efficiency and productivity of repair shops. Our host, Jamie Irvine, starts out this episode with a list of 7 things that owners and managers ca…

Send us a text Episode 326: We start this episode discussing the essential phases of remanufacturing—including disassembly, thorough cleaning, failure analysis, reassembly, and testing—and reveal how you can apply these steps to identify and resolve issues in your heavy-duty parts business. Our featured guest is Joe Kripli, President of APRA, the A…

Send us a text Episode 325: Brake Safety Week is coming up at the end of August. Last year, over 500 commercial vehicles were removed from North American roads after just one day of surprise inspections for having brake components that were unsafe. To help us prepare ahead for this year we talked to brake expert Don Orrell, Founder and CEO of TorqS…

Send us a text Episode 324: In this episode, we talk about contaminants that need to be filtered out – out of your business and out of your commercial vehicle air and fuel system. In our That’s Not Heavy Duty segment, Jamie tells a story of an irate and unreasonable customer and talks about a solution he found for customers that are impossible to p…

Send us a text Episode 323: In this episode we discuss the need to change with the times in order to avoid being left behind. Things are certainly changing fast with technology in the trucking and parts industry and there are certain things that just don’t work anymore. There are also ways of doing things that are better than before and that can sa…

Send us a text Episode 322: Tracking parts cost trends is vital in the heavy-duty parts industry. The last 6 months of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024 were flat or even down for many heavy-duty parts companies as the freight recession affected the industry. Encouragingly, there seems to be an uptick in activity over April and May which gives us …

Send us a text Episode 321: In this week’s episode we start by talking about 3 common ideas in heavy-duty parts that need to be challenged. First, how total cost of operation should be considered over purchase price. Second, how salespeople are not usually able to both capture new business and nurture existing business; these take separate skill se…

Send us a text Episode 320: When you sell heavy-duty parts, you often sell a lot of the same lines as your competitors. How do you make your company stand out? One way is by finding ways to invite your customers into your business and making them partners of your success. This week we spoke with Curt Westphal from HDA Truck Pride and Jason Rose fro…

Send us a text Episode 319: Group training and coaching can be great for not only learning more about a specific topic but also gaining perspective by hearing other’s experiences. Learn about Heavy Duty Consulting Corporation's remote group training programs which foster knowledge-sharing and mentorship in the truck parts industry. Our host Jamie I…

Send us a text Episode 318: In a heavy-duty business, maximizing productivity involves using data to make decisions and take needed action. By making the most of data, heavy-duty companies can work more efficiently and save time and money. Join the conversation with our host Jamie Irvine, and featured guest, Brian Mulshine, Sr. Director of Maintena…

Send us a text Episode 317: We're thrilled to announce that The Heavy Duty Parts Report is now presented by the Heavy Duty Consulting Corporation. Our consulting company works with manufacturers, distributors and repair centers to solve problems in their business. Our featured guest, Len Gonzalez, Director Aftermarket of Sales at MGM Brakes, has sp…

Send us a text Episode 316: We have two heavy-duty experts ready to share the most important tips for heavy-duty people to succeed in the industry. Get ready to take notes because we’re talking about business relationships, fundamental skills needed to stay relevant, and how to adapt to ever-changing technology in the industry. Join this heavy-duty…

Send us a text Episode 315: This episode announces the recipients of the HDPR scholarship for WyoTech students. Dalton Fisher and Blake Klamm, aspiring diesel technicians, are highlighted for their embodiment of heavy-duty traits. They understand the importance of our industry and are answering the call for more qualified technicians. We all know t…

Send us a text Episode 314: Join us on an electrifying journey as our host, Jamie Irvine, interviews renowned engineer Ali Javidan, CEO and Founder of Range Energy. Javidan sheds light on the importance of electric trailers for fleets and on how they support drivers to feel confident and comfortable on the road. With his extensive experience and co…

Send us a text Episode 313: At TMC 2024, we interviewed exhibitors who highlighted innovative solutions for fleets in the trucking industry, focusing on fuel efficiency, clean air systems, and streamlined maintenance. These advancements are vital for cutting operational costs, minimizing downtime, and ensuring regulatory compliance, ultimately impr…

Send us a text Episode 312: We were happy to attend this year’s TMC annual meeting in New Orleans, and we have the latest news on how the industry is embracing technology to solve common problems heavy-duty people face. In this episode, Jamie Irvine interviewed industry leaders who have used technology to create solutions that increase efficiency. …

Send us a text Episode 311: We recently attended the Technology and Maintenance Council’s (TMC) spring meeting in New Orleans where we had the opportunity to delve into the forefront of innovation in the trucking industry. Our host Jamie Irvine had the chance to interview subject matter experts about how the trucking industry is expanding and embra…

Send us a text Episode 310: This heavy-duty roundtable discussion features David Seewack, CEO & Founder of FinditParts, Dan Millar of Hinton Transportation Investments, and Jamie Irvine, sharing their passions, highlighting the importance of building meaningful relationships and encouraging young people to be a part of the industry. Together, they …

Send us a text Episode 309: The heavy-duty industry is evolving, and mandates are steering the industry towards more environmentally friendly solutions. In the first part of our episode, Jamie Irvine talks about mandates for reduced NOx emissions and the phasing out of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and the plan to replace them with elec…

Send us a text Episode 308: At HDAW’24, we had the privilege of sitting down with some of the heavy-duty industry’s biggest names. Kent Jones, President of SAF-Holland, shared exclusive insights into their merger with Haldex. Additionally, Tim Bauer, VP of Aftermarket for North America at Eaton, and Cengiz Shevket, President of Aftermarket Sales fo…

Send us a text Episode 307: Challenging the status quo in the heavy-duty parts industry can lead to greater opportunities for companies today. Learning to reinvent while staying true to core values is the key. In today's dynamic business environment, embracing innovation and reinvention is crucial because it enables you to optimize operations, stay…

Send us a text Episode 306: This year, HDAW24 displayed people's resilience and hope for the future despite ongoing supply chain disruptions and inflation struggles that leave us feeling uncertain. This episode highlights upcoming changes in MEMA with Collin Shaw, engine rebuilding with Bill Mirth from IPD Parts, and product diversification with Bl…

Send us a text Episode 305: If you’re looking to join an industry and have a career, you should consider working in the heavy-duty parts industry. In this episode, we interview two industry veterans, Joe Mejaly, former Vice President Aftermarket of Cummins-Meritor, and David Seewack, CEO & Founder of FinditParts. Both of these men have decades of e…

Send us a text Episode 304: Manufacturers of heavy-duty parts and their distributors must work closely together to get the parts the trucking industry needs to keep trucks and trailers rolling. In this episode, we’ll discuss the 5 ways every manufacturer should support their distributors to maximize sales, customer satisfaction, and increased opera…

Send us a text Episode 303: In the heavy-duty industry, employees need specific skills, knowledge and safety practices to operate efficiently. So, whenever we hear businesses say they are too busy to send their employees for training, it’s a bad thing! Without proper training, the entire company will face operational challenges, reduced employee mo…

Send us a text Episode 302: Technology on commercial trucks continues to become more complex as more advanced electrical systems are developed. This is changing the demands on the charging system. Alternators need to be high-output and high-performance to meet the needs of the modern semi-truck. Jonathan E. Smith is the Business Development Manager…

Send us a text Episode 301: In the old days, batteries for heavy-duty trucks had an easy job. They powered the starter to start the truck and they provided power for the interior lights, the radio, and maybe the clock on the dashboard. These days, batteries are tasked more than ever before. They power HVAC components, safety components, and the man…

Send us a text Episode 300: Join The Heavy Duty Parts Report as we mark our 300th episode. We’re revisiting our inaugural episodes, including our early interview with Marathon Brake Systems and many milestone episodes along the way. Hear about the stories and strategies that have helped reduce the total cost of operations for fleets, the partnershi…

Send us a text Episode 299: Historically speaking Melissa Petersmann (The Diesel Queen), is not your average diesel technician. But we think that she is an example of the future of heavy-duty. The more young talented people we can attract to the industry the better. In this episode, you will hear Melissa’s story and she breaks down the barriers tha…

Send us a text Episode 298: We’re exploring the latest changes in diesel engine rebuilding. We'll be talking with John Douglas, President of MAHLE Aftermarket North America, and Felipe Fequer from the MAHLE North America Division about the shift from aluminum to steel pistons for better efficiency and power. We'll cover the details of this technolo…

Send us a text Episode 297: Have you ever wondered how they make the black rubber used in bushings, airbags, and other suspension parts? Matthew Perkins, Director of Sales for North America at Mansons, spoke to us at AAPEX 2023. Mansons is a unique company in the heavy-duty industry because they’ve chosen to vertically integrate. Controlling all as…

Send us a text Episode 296: At The Heavy Duty Parts Report, we believe that diversity is something every business should embrace, but we are not so naive as to think that it isn't a complicated endeavor with inherent challenges that should be openly discussed to achieve the best possible outcome which in our opinion is measured by human flourishing…

Send us a text Episode 295: Join us as we take a look at how the trucking industry has evolved over the past couple of years with Charles Bowles Director of Commercial Truck OEM & Strategic Initiatives at Commercial Truck Trader. We'll explore trends in buying and selling trucks, including the pandemic's impact and current supply chain challenges. …