The Heavy Duty Parts Report

Send us Fan Mail 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 aspects of its supply chain allows the company to...

Send us Fan Mail 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. In this candid conversation with Alexandr...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Discover changes in the sales envi...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 294: What if you could boost your repair shop's efficiency and thrive no matter what the market does? Patrick McKittrick, CEO of Fullbay lifts the hood on the diesel repair shop industry. He stresses the immense benefits of automating your invoicing and data tracking and reveals how doing so can significantly increase efficiency, and bolster your cash flow. Show Notes...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 293: Interested in learning more about Right to Repair? Join us for a candid conversation with Ann Wilson, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at MEMA, straight from AAPEX 2023. Ann brings us up to speed on the legislative developments and the remaining obstacles we need to overcome to ensure fair access to repair and maintenance data for the trucking industry. She...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 292: Ready to revolutionize your recruitment strategy? Discover how David and Daniel Ostrov, the founders of Whiterail are solving the complex challenge of technician shortages. With their two decades of industry marketing experience, they reveal the importance of having the right people in your business and showcase effective ways to recruit during challenging economic ti...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 291: Getting trucks back on the road can be a tough process at the best of times. Especially when you can’t get the right parts, the first time. Meet Joe Steward, General Manager of Betts Truck Parts and Service, in this week's episode, he shares his view on a few topics including parts identification in all its forms. Show Notes: Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com for co...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 290: This week features a powerful discussion with industry expert and heavy-duty aftermarket veteran, Don Orrell. We discuss all things brakes, shedding light on the latest trends that are shaping the world of class eight heavy-duty trucks. We take a look into the rise of air disc brakes, their numerous advantages, and the impact of legislative changes on the industry. Pl...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 289: This week, we explore how dash cam footage keeps drivers safe. Sam Watts, Safety Supervisor at Meiborg Inc., gives his thoughts on how this technology plays a role in telling what happens on the road. The last thing you as a driver or fleet manager want is a wrongful lawsuit on top of an accident. Sam recounts real situations his drivers had to face, and how video evi...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 288: Prepare to get an inside look into diesel emission systems maintenance and repair with our returning guest Wayne Cochrane, National Sales Manager of Redline Emissions Products. Ever wondered how to know if a filter is genuinely clean? What should you be doing after getting your filter back from the cleaners? Wayne explains the dangers of running a poorly cleaned filte...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 287: Our guest this week is Daryl Grady, Director of Engineering at SSR Lighting Solutions. Daryl shares the overlooked potential of LED trailer lighting systems and the key roles they play. He highlights how these systems are crucial when it comes to avoiding injuries and ensuring visibility in dark trailers. Show Notes: Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com for complete show no...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 286: We’re diving into the escalating fuel costs that plague the trucking industry and trickle down to consumer pricing with a special guest Dan McClave, president of Switchblade Turbochargers. Dan takes us through the unique approach that Switchblade has taken to solve these issues and the innovative solution that promises to transform the industry. Show Notes: Visit Heav...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 285:  Wondering what the future holds for energy in the trucking industry? In this episode, we talk with Gareth Evans, CEO and founder of VECKTA. We look at the history of energy production and its relation to the trucking industry. Aided by Gareth's insightful perspective, we discuss the varied viewpoints on the climate crisis and the gradual shift to decentralized,...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 284: Are you prepared for the unexpected challenges winter driving brings? This episode covers everything from innovative battery tech to the importance of wiper blade maintenance and traction control. Show Notes: Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com   for complete show notes of this episode and to subscribe to all our content. Sponsors of this Episode FinditParts: Are you looki...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 283: Are you prepared to take a transformative journey through the evolution of technology in the heavy-duty parts and trucking industry? Let's buckle up and drive into the future together with Martin Radilla, Education Manager of HDA Truck Pride, as our guide. Martin enlightens us on how technology has revolutionized the industry, the impact of the retiring generatio...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 282:  Imagine having complete visibility of your heavy-duty parts sourcing process. Max Zorbas and Jamie Irvine unravel the shifting landscape of the parts industry, where the traditional supply chain has broken down due to the impact of COVID-19, and discuss the new alternatives that are emerging.  Max, with his extensive experience in running a repair shop, shares first-...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 281:  What’s going on with diesel repair technicians in 2023? This episode features Tyler Robertson from Diesel Laptops as he explains the challenges diesel techs face and the opportunities ahead. We'll discuss why there are fewer technicians due to early retirements and the pandemic, and how the trucking industry fosters stable and lucrative new careers. We'll a...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 280: Get ready to explore the evolution of the heavy-duty parts industry with guest Chris Bischoff, President, Global Sales of United Pacific. In the first half of our conversation, he shares his insights from years of experience steering a leading company and helping countless distributors, dealers, retailers, and e-commerce sellers. We take a look at the advent of drop s...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 279: The link between sleep quality and trucking safety is more significant than you’d think. Listen to our conversation with Chris Bradley, Executive Vice President of Sleep Dog, about the role of sleep in the trucking industry. Learn about the serious effects of sleep deprivation on drivers' well-being and the safety of everyone on the road. Show Notes: Visit HeavyD...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 278: Get ready for an electrifying discussion with James Cade, the founder of AMI on the future of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). We dissect the mandates shaping the BEV landscape and their immense implications for vehicle adoption. California, a pioneer in this field with its far-reaching regulations, also comes under the spotlight, as we analyze its regulatory influen...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 277: Join us on a technological journey through the world of commercial equipment safety with our guest, Joseph Schechter, Vice President of Safe Fleet. What if your commercial vehicle could not only protect you in case of an accident but also provide crucial evidence that could exonerate you? Discover the industry's rapid adoption of camera technology and proximity s...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 276: Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in the world of diesel emission system maintenance? Buckle up, as we sit down with Karlis Banis, a true industry expert and a customer care and mechatronics product business manager at Dinex Emissions. Show Notes: Visit HeavyDutyPartsReport.com for complete show notes of this episode and to subscribe to all our content. Spo...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 275: Are you intrigued by businesses that have stood the test of time, constantly evolving and thriving through every change? Prepare to be inspired by our guests today, Justin Zapotocky, and Heather Woodbrey of AMBAC International, a company with a history spanning over a century. Justin takes us on a fascinating journey, tracing the company's humble beginnings produ...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 274: Buckle up, as we take an exciting journey with Mike Konrad, the President of Bremskerl CV, who will shed light on the ins and outs of air disc brakes in the commercial vehicle scene. We talk shop about the trends in air disc brake adoption and the vocations driving these trends headlong. Gain a deeper understanding of the safety components of these brakes and how they...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 273:   With CVSA's Brake Safety Week just around the corner, this episode is a must-listen for fleets and repair shops to ensure complete compliance and to ace your fleet's brake inspections. We dive deep into the components of S-CAM foundation brakes, explore the importance of using premium brake materials, and share valuable tips for performing routine maintena...