Aftermarket All-Access

Imagine collecting 828 used batteries in four hours — from a drive-thru. My guest today helped make that happen. Joel Brady is vice president of marketing and communications at East Penn Manufacturing , one of the most recognized names in lead battery production and recycling. On April 25, East Penn held its first-ever Power2Recycle drive-thru battery return event in Lyon Station, Pennsylvania — a...

Imagine being handed the job of introducing a brand with more than 100 years of history to a generation that's never heard of it — and pulling it off. That's exactly what my guest today has done. Paul Montopoli is head of marketing for U.S. aftermarket at MANN+HUMMEL , the global filtration leader behind iconic American brand Purolator . Paul's team walked away from Auto Care Connect in Atlanta in...

A technician crashes two vehicles and causes $14,000 in damage. What would you do? My guest today chose to skip the punishment — and made an investment instead. Louie Sharp of Sharp Auto Body joins hosts Chris Messer, VP of Transportation Group at EndeavorB2B, and Mike Jones, founder of Discover Leadership Training, for a conversation about one of the most counterintuitive ideas in leadership: tha...

What if the real barrier to your success isn't the goal itself—but how you're thinking about it? On this episode of Aftermarket All-Access, Chris Messer, vice president of transportation at Endeavor Business Media, and Mike Jones, president of Discover Leadership, join editorial director Chris Jones to explore a mindset shift that's reshaping how supply chain leaders and distributors approach grow...

In this episode, Dr. Kent MacDonald, president of Northwood University, sat down to talk about educating the next generation of automotive and aftermarket professionals. But first, he shared what it was like interviewing Wayne Gretzky — and how the hockey legend's philosophy of "skating to where the puck is going" applies directly to the automotive industry's future. Northwood isn't your typical u...

WEBSITE DESCRIPTION: What drives innovation in the automotive aftermarket? For Anuj Gupta, business line digital North America at ZF Aftermarket, it starts with curiosity and a willingness to spend time in the field discovering real problems. In this episode, Anuj Gupta, business line digital North America at ZF Aftermarket, shares ZF's approach to innovation—grounded in customer research, diverse...

Your trajectory isn't determined by how skilled you are — it's determined by how you think. In this episode, recorded at AAPEX, Chris Messer (executive vice president of Endeavor B2B's Transportation Group) and Mike Jones (founder of Discover Leadership Training) sit down to discuss the mindset shifts that separate thriving industry leaders from those stuck in park. In this conversation, they expl...

What's really happening in the automotive aftermarket right now? Mike Chung, senior director, market intelligence at the Auto Care Association. He digs into the data to reveal the trends that matter most to shop owners and auto parts distributors. In this episode, held at AAPEX, we explore tariff impacts on parts supply, inflationary pressures on consumer purchasing, and a surprising shift in tire...

In this episode, Aftermarket All-Access host Chris Jones speaks with Courtney Pedler, founder and CEO of Autology Data Management Group and Chair of the Automotive Content Professionals Network, about the unsung work that keeps the aftermarket running smoothly. Starting her career in Salt Lake City as a parts delivery driver, Pedler spent 25 years working in data and content management before laun...

In Episode 5 of our Endeavor 2 Discover series, Chris Messer, Executive Vice President of Endeavor Business Media's Transportation Group, is joined by Mike Jones, President and CEO of Discover Leadership, along with special guest Randy O'Connor, Principal President of D2D Development (and self-proclaimed Chief Outcome Officer). Today's focus is on the power of focusing on the outcome—a foundationa...

In this episode, host Chris Jones sits down with Steve Tucker, president of Automotive Parts Associates, to explore his journey from rebuilding his first car as a teenager to leading one of the automotive aftermarket's most important associations. Steve shares how his family's deep roots in the automotive industry shaped his philosophy of mentorship, hands-on leadership, and genuine care for peopl...

In Episode 4 of our Endeavor 2 Discover series, Chris Messer, Executive Vice President of Endeavor Business Media's Transportation Group, is joined once again by Mike Jones, President and CEO of Discover Leadership. Today's topic is all about the I Will Attitude. Chris and Mike explore how powerless words like "I think I can" lack the energy needed to truly overcome challenges, while "I will" crea...

In this episode, Ted Hughes discusses what makes the AWDA Annual Conference, held November 2-3 in Las Vegas, one of the most important gatherings for warehouse distributors and suppliers in the aftermarket industry. At its core are the one-on-one meetings—the lifeblood of the event—where suppliers and distributors connect directly to build relationships, negotiate partnerships, and drive real busi...

In Episode 3 of our Endeavor 2 Discover series, Chris Messer, Executive Vice President of Endeavor Business Media's Transportation Group, is joined once again by Mike Jones, President and CEO of Discover Leadership. Today's focus is on frontline leadership—what it truly means to lead from the front lines. Chris and Mike challenge the conventional wisdom around servant leadership. While it sounds g...

In this episode, Auto Care Association's Mark Bogdansky discusses the new changes coming to AAPEX 2025 that will transform how auto parts suppliers, manufacturers, and warehouse distributors experience this year's show. You'll hear how the new product category floor segmentation makes it easier for distributors to find suppliers in specific categories, while helping exhibitors connect with interes...

Jonathan Larsen from Auto Care Association discusses the expansion of ACES and PIES standards into Latin America. Learn about the challenges of international standardization, upcoming March software releases and features, and why having a "common language" for parts mapping is transforming the automotive aftermarket globally.

Mike Jones, president and master trainer at Discover Leadership Training, is back on Aftermarket All-Access with Chris Messer, executive vice president of the transportation group at EndeavorB2B—Aftermarket Business World's parent company. In this episode, Jones tells listeners what it takes to be a person who follows up and follows through on commitments in a business setting. 

For anyone who has ever uttered the words, "failure isn't an option," Mike Jones, president and master trainer at Discover Leadership Training, has a message you should consider. Jones talks about leadership and failure in this special episode of Aftermarket All-Access. He's joined by Chris Messer, executive vice president of the transportation group at Endeavor Business Media—the parent company o...

In this episode of Aftermarket All-Access, Margaret Light, licensed marriage and family therapist of Equilibrium Therapy Services P.L.L.C. has a conversation with host Chris Jones about mental health and decision-making in business and how our mental state can positively or negatively impact the quality of the business decisions we make. 

In this episode, Dave Bohr, director of category management at Bill Murray & Associates , discusses the ins and outs of category management. He starts by explaining what category management is and progresses to the role a category manager plays in helping auto parts suppliers and manufacturers position their products competitively in the automotive aftermarket.

In this episode, Scott Tompkins, senior manager of product management at Epicor talks about how the company created its parts catalog. He also discusses how it was developed, some of the triumphs and challenges in integrating it with the Mexican aftermarket, and how they manage all of the parts they classify.

In this episode, Ben Brucato, vice president, membership & engagement, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers about the role of MEMA in the aftermarket, its new sustainability initiatives, and the organization’s thoughts on pending tariffs and how it's keeping its members and the industry informed.  

Imagine being employee number three at one of the automotive aftermarket premier auto parts distributors. My guest today was just that. I’m talking to Sue Godschalk of Federated Auto Parts . Sue’s 39-year career at Federated and 52 years total in the aftermarket has made her one of the most respected people in the industry. Today, Sue talks about her time in the industry and winning the 2024 AWDA...

In this episode, Mike Jones of  Discover Leadership Training  discusses how to level up your leadership. Mike also covers leadership versus management, the relationship between discipline and growth, why motivation doesn't work and what does, and communication mistakes leaders make and how to correct them.

In this episode of Aftermarket All-Access, Tammy Tecklenburg, founder of dott, jons the show to talk about her 30 year career in the automotive aftermarket, women's influence in the industry, and the founding of dott and why inclusive workplaces with strong cultures lead to lasting change and upward mobility.