Taking Better Of Online Used Car Classifieds

With the use of the Internet, the process of selling one's car has become significantly simpler. U.S.A. are shower a thousand and one unrepresentative websites that a person can evidence their vehicle on. The nature of the Internet has made it possible for any random psycho to look up used car classifieds, find a particular ad specifically catches his fancy, and contact the seller. Threadbare car classifieds on the Internet have made selling one's auto a far simpler process than before, though some people impugn not yet come to take full succor of it. Here are some bits of advice to help a seller maximize the benefits of selling on the Internet.

The highest rank major benefit of used car classifieds on the Internet would be in terms of research. Most people fail to realize that the Internet can also be utilized in checking a particular model's market, neighboring can help in determining the degree of deed people molest in a particular vehicle. Use some do understand this fact, most people fail to realize strictly speaking advertising and selling their tired auto is best done once someone has assessed whether or not a market for the model of vehicle being sold exists. By checking for ball game in a particular model, a seller can determine point of vantage and when it would be best to actually sell the vehicle to get the best price.

Another benefit of online used car classifieds would be the number of people the ad can reach. Any interested buyer infatuated Internet access can find the ad, check the car out, and contact the seller if the potential buyer has wear down interested. In line with the above idea, it is generally acceptable to advertise a car on as many websites as possible, to ensure that the maximum number of potential buyers is reached. Among the number of turf who friendship end up checking out the ad, a few of them are guaranteed to be potential buyers. If nothing else, the exposure alone should improve in getting the seller a few offers. Of course, that situation assumes that the ad has been properly done, as a poorly designed ad can actually drive away potential buyers.

The online publishing used car classifieds also have the added benefit of helping a seller, determine an appropriate price for the vehicle for exchange. Assuming specifically the seller has determined that a market exists for a pale car, the next step would be to set a price for it. The larger the market for the car's make and model, the higher the price a seller can ask for, especially if the model in question is not one videlicet has much competition. Though the price ranges for some models are fairly consistent, other models fluctuate in price, which makes the Internet the best place to get an updated price on any particular vehicle.

Regardless of how one chooses to slice it, New World is little doubt i.e. used car classifieds on the Internet are excellent tools for anyone who wishes to sell their vehicle. Whether the purpose is for research or for selling the vehicle, online worn car classifieds are the best option. However, the choice to make full use of the Internet and the classifieds falls entirely on the seller.

Co Branding in Automotive Service Businesses

In a world of co-branding, point of destination strategies and co-op marketing; all industries are evolving and diversifying to capture greater profits within a single brick and mortar location. The same strategies are used on the Internet only you can see it happen faster in real time on Internet web sites. In general much of the new thinking has been customer driven due to lifestyle changes, low unemployment, time factors and quality of life issues of the consumer.

If you look at amazon.com which now sells tapes, records and toys when previously it was strictly a books sales site. It can quickly add new revenue streams by offering it's customer base more reasons to buy more things. Do you to see the revolutionizing effect of this trend? We have on-line search engines being paid million dollars from car companies and furniture companies for their industries exclusive rights to e-commerce directly on those sites. As Starbucks begins to sell house wares on their web site, and Home Depots add McDonalds inside their stores and Bank of Wal-Mart opening it's own brand of bank within its 5 superstores; you have to think that 'express detailing' at car washes is simply a natural. progression.

Many professional detailers would disagree saying these types of services are different animals. Some complain that fixed site car washes have ruined the true definition of the term detailing. Yet if you look closely this is nothing more than true capitalism in a free market system generating additional revenues with existing resources.

Think about it for a minute. Professional Detailing Centers often do glass repair, window tinting, pin-striping and graphics, gold plating, ozone treatment, dent repair, color sanding, upholstery repair, wood grain paneling, and even after market auto accessories. These are all industries in their own right and these industry leaders with their own definitions and trade publications and accepted operational procedures complain about other competitors in other market sectors offering similar services as professional detailers. They say we are stealing their customers and not providing the same quality workmanship as the craftsmen do in those industries, which may or may not be true.

For example a person specializing in upholstery repair for twenty years can obviously do a better quality job than a detailer on fabrics of almost any type. You are affecting his bottom line with an inferior service since you don't have 20 years experience in upholstery repair understanding the dynamics of thirty different types of fabric, dyes, and manufacturers suggestions for preservation. Should he be mad at you for offering a greater array of service to you customers? No, the upholstery craftsman will need to have his own set of value added services and products he can offer to his customers such as removing and replacing seats and headliners and using the highest grade fabrics and stainless steel screws. You must have a specialty or an area of expertise, but you must also understand and then cater to the needs and more importantly the wants and desires of your customer. If you don't know their wants and needs, ask your customers directly in an informal survey or indirectly during conversations. If you fail to honor this advice, that’s okay your customer will be serviced by your competition instead. Think about it.

Business Image

One of the most important things in a business is a clean image. I started a small business when I was twelve years old and built it up in a very large small business and then franchised the business. I retired at age 40 after setting up franchises in 23 states and four countries. It is an automotive and cleaning franchise. We always believed in image and cleanliness. How can you sell cleaning services when your equipment is ratty looking, it shows a complete disrespect for the customer.

Image and cleanliness were issues brought forth by some of the leaders of Franchising, such as Ray Kroc of McDonalds and Tom Monhan of Dominos Pizza. That tradition in franchising helps build brand loyalty and shows respect and pride in your work. When Fred Smith started Federal Express, now simply Fed Ex, re-named by the customers, he showed respect by insisting that all delivery vans be pressure washed nightly. If you look at the manual for a Starbucks, 1/2 of it is not how to make coffee, it is about customer service, cleanliness and image. Why? Respect for the customers, employees and Brand Name. Obviously many in business do not believe in image and few in Brand Name. You should in your business. So many of our competitors over the years did not, beating them in the market place was easy. Many times the independent mobile detailing outfits or mobile truck washing companies we competed against did not have a name on the vehicle or trailer the used in the business. Many had not even painted their rigs? Any color really. Heck, they could just paint it white with a blue stripe and put Plain Wrap-Pressure Washing. Anything is better than nothing, but image is important to your business too, any business really. Not only does it degrade the entire industry full of reputable practitioners but also it is degrading to the individual business and their customers when a practitioner fails to maintain a proper image.

I was always and still am today obsessed with image and this obsession in business has served me well, you need to think about this and constantly audit your image from the customer’s perspective, look around stand out side your store and just stare, what do you see? Do the same for the competition, what are they lacking? Are you lacking the same, can you improve your image? Here is the first page of the first chapter of my company’s Confidential Operations Manual. The entire set of manuals at my Company is over 1000 pages, I know because I was so concerned that it be right, I wrote the damn thing myself. It all starts with image:

IMAGE

The single easiest way to increase sales is to look professional. People believe what they see. If you look the part, you get the part. We at franchise headquarters have gone overboard with every detail. If you haven’t noticed, everything is a bright shiny yellow. The trucks, flyers, shirts, hoses, vacuum - YELLOW!! The rest is either blue or silver. We are committed to keeping a positive image in the mind of every customer.

As you are probably aware, Wash Guys has never sacrificed its high public image for money. What you may not realize is that a high public image may not cost as much as you are led to believe.

In the service business, image is fifty percent (50%) of your business. The impact you have on your customers, whether it be your appearance, cleanliness of your equipment or style of your classy color brochure, is forever being re-audited. Even if your first impression is great, you can lose it just as fast if you fail to handle simple details.

Here are a few areas that are the cornerstone of your “new image”.

·The clothes you wear

·The way you carry yourself

·The equipment you use

·The people you hire

·The advertising you choose

·Phone conversations

·Your work quality

·Cleanliness of your truck

·Your general appearance

·Literature and business cards

Image in Business are so important, especially in the service business or franchise, so when we see competitors in any market who disregard image and still are able to get business, we realize that our company in such a market is an absolute no-brainer. There are many problems in the Mobile Washing Business with the competition and we are cleaning it up, city by city, state by state; both figuratively and literally. Now ask yourself what is you image like? Can you blowout your competition thru superior image? Have you even thought about this recently? Just like Sam Walton, Ray Kroc, Tom Monhan, Michael Dell, Fred Smith and countless others have in their industries. You can seize the lions share of your market if your will continually focus on your company’s image. It worked for us as we seized opportunity to bring quality, image, cleanliness and service back the customer who has clearly been forgotten in so many markets in the United States. It is not everyday that a business walks the talk. Are you giving lip service to the image of your business or do you take it seriously, either way and what ever you do; It shows. Think about it.

Business Case Study Automotive Detailing Franchise Company

How do automotive detailing companies start? What makes them work and how do they grow? How do they choose which services they will offer? This is an interesting case study about a test market of a franchise company in the cleaning business and how they went about setting up Auto Detailing Shops. It maybe of interest to your business study and research; I am familiar with this story because it is one of the companies that I founded.

It all started in Reno, NV where we had set up a mobile car wash franchise of the Car Wash Guys for a franchisee there. www.CarWashGuys.com . Because we have significant market share in Reno NV, we wanted to expand into different lines. So we looked at co-branding with Ziebart, yet their corporate culture did not mix with our Entrepreneurial Fiber and the cost of their franchises were quite high. On top of that they had sold so many franchises in the US, there would be a problem later if we decided to roll out our system nationwide or continue buying their units to expand with our current franchisees, still we felt this might be worth pursuing. So instead going thru all the mistakes, which had already been learned we wanted to buy into a proven system and wanted to exhaust this possibility first. They turned us down. So we have decided to take the market, city by city. But first we needed to establish a prototype unit and this is where our Reno Franchisee came into play. Ziebart instead of partner would become a challenge, as they had 216 units already up and running. We visited many of their locations including Hilo, HA at the time.

We decided we would put in co-brands at car washes as well, express detail centers. Also at Park and Flys and High End Parking Structures. These permanent Detailing Centers would provide a wide array of services. We are detailing for large dealerships, adding oil additives, which are guaranteed by Lloyds of London for 100,000 miles, bed liners, gold plating, window tinting, auto accessories, pin striping, Gold Plating, Dent Repair, Windshield Repair, Wood grain and Interior Paneling, Vinyl and Leather Repair, Paint Touch-Up, Engine Steam Cleaning, Rust Proofing, Odor Elimination. The business plan is extensive, and the training intense.

We determined to be able to handle all the services we wished to provide the Centers would have to be 8 bay Detail Shops the largest of all organized Detail Shops. By having other WashGuy.com franchise systems customers to draw from there would be enough customers to allow maximum synergy. This is where the tires meet the pavement. The Super Centers are exactly that. The smaller co-brand version was tested at our fixed site car wash franchise prototype in WA. Now realize we have been in the detailing business for years, www.detailguys.com and we know what we are doing and we are good at it.

This company was founded out of necessity to service the customers. Paul our franchise in Reno of the car wash guys kept getting detailing offers from the dealerships he was washing. One offer led to an onsite takeover of their in-house detailing facilities; a four-bay detail shop, which he grew out of in less than three months. Then he moved into an 8 bay detail shop keeping the four bay for a total of 12 bays in two shops. Before his second year he was on pace to do about $600,000.00 this year. He had only been in business 18 months. He was so busy trying to divide his car wash with all his detail work he had decided to sell part of it. We wanted him to be successful so we allowed the partial transfer and he will be using the money from the sale of one of his car wash guys franchised territories to fund his new detail center. He maxed the old center out and had to move into a bigger shop, and then at one point even that was not enough so he had to keep both. The next year we had set up smaller Detail Guys Centers in other parts of the country and established co-brands in WA, OK, OH, TN, and CA.

The entire business grew out of a mobile car wash operation, without any detailed advanced strategic thinking on our part until we had the customers breathing down our throats yellowing “We need more services” and that folks is how many opportunities are found in the market. You get into business and get tough and follow opportunity, this is why all the text books and business plans are not all they are cracked up to be and why reality based entrepreneurship come from the real world where people can. Not from the academia world where all they know how to do is teach. If you want to go from 0-60 in four seconds sure it is nice to have a venture capital bankroll, but all the real companies I know about started from scratch and then became built to last. From starting small to finishing big is all in the market place and minds of the greatest people on Earth, the Entrepreneurs.

100 Miles With New TEchnology For Batteries

There is a new battery in the automotive town and this one is the brainchild, creation, and product of Technology Research Laboratories, or TRL. This new battery is not yet in the market but it has already been made known by TRL that they are going to soon offer a new kind of battery for vehicles. Of course, it is not surprising because most manufacturers do first announce their new products – whether it be a new vehicle or some new Dodge parts – and they would then take their time to actually let the public see what this new product really is.

According to TRL, this new product of theirs is an innovation that would help battery manufacturers to get more sales. After all, consumers would surely be rushing to buy a battery that could run for a real long time and could be used even by hybrid electric vehicles. All these have been made possible because of the new kind of battery technology that TRL developed. And if the technology is applied, you would then be able to create one power source that is less costly and can be used for a longer time compared to the usual batteries one can find in the market right now. The company also does boast that this new technology of theirs also provide much safety which is very essential.

If you are thinking that such a technology could only benefit those people who own vehicles for their personal uses, then you should think again. You see, according to TRL, their new battery technology could also be used to manufacture and produce batteries for hybrid electric vehicles, as previously mentioned, as well as for commercial and industrial vehicles.

Compared to the conventional batteries that abound in the market, the batteries that could be created with TRL’s technology are actually produced using some principles on physical chemistry that the company uses. The technology also does make use of materials that are easily found in the market and need no materials that are quite expensive. You see, TRL did disclose that to create their batteries with their new technology need very ordinary materials like carbon and plastic. The company also does say that with their new battery technology, creating batteries for vehicles would also mean being friendlier to the environment. Despite such characteristics, the new battery actually can stand and survive through a great amount of electrical abuse.

Tried on a hybrid electric car, the new battery would work really well. And if TRL continues to produce such a revolutionary type of battery, the industry would certainly be leaning towards hybrid electric cars. The only problem though with this kind of vehicles is that in previous years, power sources are quite rare and come with a high price. TRL does promise that if you use their battery on a hybrid electric vehicle, you would find yourself speeding through 75 miles to 100 miles per hour.

BMW Mini Retains the Success Formula

Masterful – that's how auto critics describe BMW in connection with the manner by which it guides its Mini premium cars to achieve success in the auto market share.

From its inception in 2001, Mini has already made money. The latest lineup of Mini, which will go on sale this month in Europe to be followed by the United States, is expected to deliver stable profit chain.

According to Dresdner Kleinwort, Frankfurt, Germany-based investment banker, “Mini earned net income of $148 million in 2003 for its owners BMW, progressing steadily to $185 million in 2005 and is likely to reach $260 million in 2007.” Mini started with modest sales target. On its initial years, the target was 100,000 per annum. Then, the number drastically grows to 120,000 and eventually accelerated to 200,000 last year.

"They (BMW) started the first Mini with a very conservative production approach. After they realised the strong demand, they added capacity nearly overnight. So, I'm pretty sure that they've again established a process which will allow pushing production beyond 300,000 cars if the customer demands," says Stephen Reitman, Merrill Lynch European auto analyst.

Mini is expected to reach higher grounds. "The Mini has been a phenomenal success, better than anyone expected, including BMW, but sales are close to their peaks, certainly in Europe," says Al Bedwell, J.D.Power Automotive Forecasting analyst.

Auto analysts affirm that Mini is a big thing in the United States. "Currently Mini sells in the states (about) the same number as in the U.K. The U.S. sells seven times more cars than the U.K., so I'm convinced there exists a lot of additional potential," says Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, managing director of automotive consultants B&D Forecast of Bochum.

In addition, auto analysts are saying that BMW can benefit from the soaring mix of sales S, Cooper and basic Mini Ones. Parts Mini are now being enhanced and made more sophisticated to hook car aficionados.

"And you are right. Mini is more of a fashion/luxury item and thus the concept is probably better comparable to Porsche than to normal car business. Therefore I also think it is not about practicability, but customers buy the car to make a statement," says Christoph Dolleschal, auto analyst with Dresdner Kleinwort. "Profitability wise the new Mini should do better than the old one. Pricing point is unchanged. However I think they've gained experience in production and simply are able to produce the car cheaper than the previous versions," he added.

Keep Your Automotive Tools Handy

Now that you have your own car, it is important that you do have the right automotive tools in handy. This is because you would never know when your car might act up and you would need to do some adjustments or repairs yourself. You should have a set of the basic and the most used automotive tools for car owners. These automotive tools should be kept handy either in a car repair kit or box inside your car or even in your car’s trunk.

One of the first things that you should purchase for your car’s tool kit would be an adjustable wrench. This tool has the ability to actually automatically adjust to the size of the nut and could loosen or tighten everything. You should shell out around $10 to $40 for this one.

You should include a continuity tester. It is an electrical test equipment. You can use this to check if there is an electrical path that can be made between two points. This is good for testing electrical parts in your car. This should cost you around $3 to $40.

For around $1.50 each, you should get a couple of funnels. This should help you out greatly in adding fluids and oils in your car. Make sure that you clean them after using them and also make sure that you use only one funnel for each fluid. For example, you should only use one funnel for adding brake fluid. Never use this funnel to add oil or washer fluid.

Do not forget to put in a car jack. You should spend around $9 for this one. You should use this in case you need to change your tires. This is one of the indispensable items that you should not forget to include in your automotive tool kit.

2007 Year of Auto Contrasts and Extremes

It is time to experience the kick of contrasts and extremes in the automotive world because automakers are setting forth their idiosyncratic 2007 vehicle lineups. The latest vehicle models from Acura to Volvo will wipe out the customary trend of homogeny in rivalry. This time around, automakers are showing off contrasts and extremes.

To boot, 2007 model vehicles include efficient, full-size pickup trucks from GMC, Chevrolet, and Toyota. Fuel-saving small cars from Honda, Toyota, Chevy and Nissan create a great demand in the market. Ford, Lincoln, Acura, Jeep, Mazda and Saturn are also benefiting from their sales in crossover sport utility vehicles. Said crossovers are manufactured to achieve gentle, powerful and fuel-efficient ride. Large trucks will not be tolerable to be left behind. Hence automakers like Cadillac, Audi, Ford, GMC, Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz made their large trucks lineup outstanding.

Wide-range of vehicle lineup will soon be presented to astound auto crowd. Acura parts were upgraded to come up with RSX, the smallest car of the automaker with a starting price lower than $21,000. Acura also boasts its smaller version of SUV – 2007 RDX as well as its mid-size sedan.

Chrysler has revamped its lineup. The automaker has added modern headlamps, hood strakes and a shorter rear end. Chrysler will also introduce its very first large SUV which is based on the Dodge Durango.

Revolutionary Hummer parts were further boosted via a brand new 3.7-liter, 5-cylinder engine. KIA Motors has restyled its Sorento and added extra horsepower to it by incorporating the V-6 engine.

Auto Detailing Protecting Your Business

Once you build a small company and it is making money you will have to protect it from theft, damage and parasite ambulance chasing lawyers; actually all types of lawyers. What is the best way to protect yourself and your business? Well if you are a mobile auto detailing you will be carrying cash so you need to stay alert, do not frequent bad neighborhoods and maintain a somewhat unpredictable schedule.

If you own a detail shop you might consider a Smith and Wesson strategy. Perhaps you might start a neighborhood watch patrol in your city today

Thus you can be part of the solution to curb crime instead of turning a blind eye and thus becoming part of the problem. Do you need insurance too? Yes, generally you will need this for wholesale detailing 1 million is common for limits of liability aggregate t work in larger corporate centers. If you work at airport parking structures you will need at least 5 million at most airports. Usually the cost of such insurance policies is based on gross estimated sales for the year, not cheap, but certainly not a killer. In fact often it eliminates competition and provides barriers to entry, not that I approve of decreased competition but it is a fact. Not that I like paying it either, but it tends to work that way.

There are many carriers who write auto detailing policies such as; AIG, American States, Firemen's Fund. Find a Business Independent Insurance Broker who carries such lines. Are you a Homeowner, if so Ask to add a small business policy if you go mobile and work from home. When will you need to buy an insurance policy? Well at airports to get an activity permit you will need one right away. If you have sufficient assets you need protecting, probably at the same time you get a business license and open a business checking account I suppose.

If you are going to start a mobile car wash, mobile auto detailing business or a fixed detail shop you will need to set forth a policy in advance to protect yourself, your assets and your business. So please consider these things and think on it.

The Family Business The Godfathers Business or the Automotive Repair Shop

When somebody mentions "the Family Business" I think of a well dressed, old and skinny Italian man with a scratchy voice and has a name like Tony or Sammy. My Grandfather, who I've mentioned in some of my other articles, definitely fits the bill. With just one glass of a good Chianti wine, you might find him in our garden patio, rocking back and forth, singing Italian love songs for hours. He was indeed a short, skinny guy, who talked in a voice very similar to the Godfather and at the age of 80 he still had a full head of gray hair. Give him a mandolin and it was almost like being in an old Italian movie.

Well let me get back to what "Family" means to me in a Family Business (beyond that old Italian theme). It doesn't matter whether it's an automotive service business, like Sandy and I operate, or a cleaning business, a landscaping business, or even a street sweeping business. You see, when Grandpa owned businesses in his younger days, it was his name, his word, and his values that he was offering. He wasn't fixing transmissions, brakes, or air conditioning like we do. Grandpa was painting murals on grocery store windows. But like us, he knew if he didn't deliver good quality work for his customers, his name would be ruined and he might have a hard time finding work - especially in a tight nit New England town. That's why I like working with businesses here in Austin that are family owned. Businesses that are family owned are much more likely to stand behind what they do because they're offering far more than a product, their offering the meaning of their word and their reputation.

In the automotive business, a family owned business is more than just an automotive repair facility. A family owner, and his hand picked team, can be "trusted" advisors of what you "don't" need to do as well as what you might want to do now to avoid bigger problems down the road. They'll get to know you and your car so they remember what was worked on last time and how the problems you may have experienced before fit with what's happening now (or not). It doesn't matter whether you're fixing transmissions, brakes, or air conditioning, or your fixing a dishwasher. Family owners tend to care and so many are so very trustworthy.

Family owned automotive repair is much like a family doctor and his trusted nurse practitioner and small administrative staff. In a big hospital conglomerate where Dr's might be overworked and see you once or twice in an emergency room, they aren't going to care about you as much as Dr. Mulligan who will be with you for years as your family doctor and knows you and your family's names and watched your kids grow. In addition, although the hospital doctor might ask you a few questions about what happened to you in the past, he's really not going to put it together the same as Dr. Mulligan who was there treating your family's health issues with you.

I guess that kind of sums it up for how I feel about family businesses. Many small businesses are indeed family businesses, so when you hear somebody say they are a small business, you may very well be hearing somebody offering the luxury of a family business. More than likely, it will be a business from which you'll enjoy years of great service.

Outsourcing Auto Detailing Services at Auto Dealerships

Automotive dealerships are notorious for outsourcing services, both services they sell to the customers and those operations they do in-house on their own vehicles. Take for instance auto detailing; each new car coming off the truck must be detailed prior to being placed on the lot. Each car that is traded in during the sales process must also be detailed in order to be put onto the used-car lot or sold at the auto auction.

This requires a full-time staff to detail all the cars at the auto dealership. Unfortunately, with unemployment so low and a shortage of auto technicians in the auto dealership industry this is not always possible therefore many auto dealerships have looked towards auto detailing companies to outsource all their work to.

Outsourcing auto-detailing services at auto dealerships is very common. It also makes a very good business. For over 2 decades my company has been involved with wholesale auto detailing at auto dealerships on an outsourced basis.

This is done by commandeering a couple of bays at the auto dealership and detailing all the cars on the property. Although the auto dealerships are slow to pay their bills and wished to get a very low price the amount of volume is truly incredible and therefore over all both the outsourced company and the auto dealership find a win/win situation in this arrangement. Consider all this in 2006.

Automotive Shop Billing Software

You have a busy automotive shop and not enough time in the day to take care of all your accounting yourself. Sure, you have an accountant, but you don?t even have the time to put together the materials to take to him so that they can do your bookkeeping. Automotive shop billing software is a great way for you to keep your business organized and functioning properly. The more organized the business is, the easier it will be to make a profit.

To find the best automotive shop billing software, you will first need to do your research. Ask other shops which software they like. Look online to find companies that have the software you are looking for. Find product review sites and magazines to see which program has the best reputation. You can also ask questions in forums to see what other people have to say.

In general you will want your automotive billing software to be easy to use yet still get the job done. Your software will need to keep track of your customer information. It will also need to keep track of work orders and be able to print invoices. You will also need to have their auto insurance on file. This is especially handy if you repair their car after an accident.

Once you find the automotive shop billing software that seems the best, you can then begin to comparison shop. Different companies often have completely different prices on their products. You can also consider buying the software used. Used software is much cheaper. However, you run the risk of getting it damaged, and the warranty may either be expired or it won?t transfer when the ownership switches.

Automotive shop billing software can help you manage your business better. Just do your research to make sure you find the program that best meets the needs of your business. Also research to find the best prices. Once you learn and use the program, you will feel much more organized.

Automotive Business What are Fuel Cell Membranes and Why Should I care

What are Fuel Cell Membranes and Why Should I care? Well first off just incase you think things are not moving forward check this out:

http://www.donaldson.com/en/fuelcell/index.html

Donaldson is selling all the replacement and re-usable parts for Fuel Cells. Peruse this site and understand the nature of what is to come. Fuel Cells need clean air to run, therefore like a Diesel or Gasoline Engine they need air filters too. Contamination control is essential for safety of a fuel cell and also for proper efficiency. Los Alamos has been working on these and is almost at a major breakthrough.

http://www.lanl.gov/worldview/science/features/fuelcell.html

and if you are serious about the future market share you will want the Donaldson video available on their website too. Remember there are several things going on inside of a Fuel Cell to make exchange the energy. Chemical Reactions, which have a filtration process and heat exchanges, ion exchanges and exhaust components. All of which have monitoring needs and issues. Contaminants are not a real good idea in this sort of thing. And of course this is where the pedal hits the pavement and where the men are separated from the boys, there are training needs, customer needs and opportunity in the Chaos to come.

Vehicles, which do not derive power from an internal combustion engine, will not require oil-changing services? Does this mean the oil change industry is dead? For some yes absolutely, they will perish and new innovative companies will take their place, such is the struggle of free markets and competition, for the rest there will be service items to take care of with fuel cells too. So then what can we expect to see in the next 12 years? A big change? Yes, it seems to be estimated that 35-45% of all vehicles in the US will be another form of hybrid propulsion. Namely it appears to be that Hydrogen Cells will take the place of much of what we know.

http://www.ceramicindustry.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/features/BNP__Features__Item/0,2710,27484,00.html

There will be manufacturers and suppliers of these filters no doubt and companies like our will replace them. There are significant opportunities for companies in the Filter manufacturing business of ceramic filters and membranes. Will fuel cell service stations supply these parts at the counter of their C-stores? As a matter of fact the answer is yes, some will, while others will be a typical looking C-Store with gasoline stations, only with hydrogen with kiosks near ATM machines? How many brands will there be? Will auto manufacturers design many different models and will auto service businesses need to stock all the Fuel Cell Service items too? Today just stocking air filters can be a hardship with over 161 common types?

Will these Fuel Cell Stations Be franchised? Who will be doing this? Will the Oil Companies see this and jump on the opportunity? Will Wal-Mart add Fuel Cell Card Lock stations at all their Sam's Clubs? The future is predictable, most of this seems like obvious questions to answer. We feel we could answer most of these and be pretty close on target. Are the Futurists all they are cracked up to be? Or just realists-idealists and theorists?

When you start seeing hydrogen fuel stations pop-up then you will see people buying those cars. Then you will see trucking companies investing in their own systems to haul along major freight lines, then you will see railroad try to run for lower fuel costs and heavier loads to compete, and thus you will see the ushering in a new age of transportation and form of distribution, cleaner air, water and more efficiency.

Regarding filters for hydrogen cell? Honda is pushing their electric hybrids claiming no needed filters. However this might be a bit misleading to the general public who has knowledge of such technologies, these vehicles require other usable parts, and you can bet the Japanese want to sell you those reusable parts. The high heat may be use in conjunction with larger fuel cells in factories or grid generation and plasma torches to clean the areas of the filters, which may last several cycles longer or may have a plasma unit running continually to clean the particulate. Cars will have some obstacles because what is good for General Motors is good for America concept.

Now realize brake fluids, windshield wiper blades, etc will still need servicing. But the days of the $24.99 Jiffy Lube oil change appear to be on their last decade. Not only because of price competitiveness of Wal-Mart, but also due to shifting technologies in oil intervals, additives and introduction of Hydrogen Cells. So you ask how hard is it to replace fuel cell filters? Very easy. And take a look at these sexy little anodized fuel cell filters. Small and expensive. About $35.00 and even the fuel sending units are considered replaceable parts, yep $80.00, not cheap. But remember for an industry still in its infancy, these are not bad.

Automotive Salvage And Environmental Safety

Environment awareness has increased around the world together with the necessity for better regulations that will allow automotive salvage become a safe environmental occupation. Under law enforcement, automakers should take care of their products from cradle to grave. Carmakers are subjects to great international pressure and urging that all dismantled car pieces, wrecks and carcasses should no longer pile up in waste metal yards, but be reused or recycled.

Is it just metal piling up in salvage yards, which has brought automotive salvage into the spot light? Only partially; as there remains the risk of chemical pollution and infestation due to all the vehicle fluids that pollute the soil, should there be any leakage. Those company owners that deal in car dismantling should follow some general basic environmental security rules when fragmenting cars to pieces.

The best way to minimize spill-over during automotive salvage operations is by evacuating fluids before dismantling and depositing these fluids to safe tanks or containers. Fluids should be immediately removed from all the constituents of the vehicle. If this were not possible, check for leaks, and in case you find any, isolate them and reduce the risk of contamination.

The fluids that result from dismantling automotive salvage should be kept in safe containers or tanks. These should be labeled and inspected on a regular basis in order to prevent alterations or leaks. In case they are deposited outside the salvage yard, they must be equipped with a double protection system from the external environment.

One great advantage that automotive salvage has is that it makes possible the reduction of the production price per component in big vehicle companies that can invest in recycling items or reconditioning them for reuse. Some automakers are also talking about increasing the number of recycling points, where automotive salvage might become the starting point for alternative building materials.

The question that has brought much heated debate is: "To whose expense?" Who pays for automotive salvage that is for dismantling, for reusing, for recycling? The answer to this may be the answer to a whole bunch of environment issues that originate in careless automotive salvage in junkyards.

Managing the automotive salvage yards would dramatically reduce the amount of scrap that fills the land. There are thousands of independent automotive salvage yards owners who need a efficient recycling system as they see the pile growing on their property, as not all of it can be sold or re-used without reconditioning.

Onbelay Automotive Coatings Increases Operational Efficiency with Shoplogixs Plantnode

Shoplogix, a leading developer of intelligent performance management software, is pleased to announce that Onbelay Automotive, a leading industrial automotive e-coater, powder coater and assembler to Tier One automotive suppliers, has implemented Shoplogix Plantnode to help reduce costs and increase value add to their customers.

Onbelay Automotive Coatings based in Chatham, Ontario, installed Plantnode on both their E-coating and Power Coatings lines to identify production bottlenecks in their manufacturing process.

According to Aly Rahemtulla, President of Onbelay Automotive, “Plantnode is helping us streamline our operations by reducing downtimes and their impact on production, decreasing setup times, and automating our escalation processes to increase response times therefore lowering our total cost of production.”

President and CEO of Shoplogix, Kevin Dwyer added, "After a comprehensive 30 day product assessment, involving rigorous "stress testing" of Plantnode's functionality on the production line, Onbelay embraced our solution. The decision to move forward with Plantnode is a strong testimonial that highlights our ability to demonstrate real value in a short period of time. We are pleased to see our presence in the automotive industry expanding - particularly as it relates to process manufacturing. We look forward to working closely with the Onbelay team in leveraging the full value of our products.”

ABOUT ONBELAY

Onbelay Automotive Coatings Corp. is a leading industrial automotive e-coater, powder coater and assembler primarily serving the Tier One automotive suppliers. Onbelay’s capabilities include black epoxy e-coating and black epoxy powder coating using a cathodic system. The company also offers assembly and sub assembly services to its customers.

For more information visit, www.onbelayautomotive.com

ABOUT SHOPLOGIX

Shoplogix develops intelligent performance management software that optimizes plant floor operations. Shoplogix solutions improve productivity, efficiency, and total operational performance by allowing companies to make real-time decisions that impact profitability while actively engaging employees in the process.

PLANTNODE

Plantnode is a hybrid web-based software application designed on an open platform to integrate with existing production equipment, analyze real-time performance, and evaluate machine productivity. Plantnode’s built-in intelligence goes beyond raw data collection to provide a fully integrated production and performance management application; differentiated by the ability to compare real-time data against planned estimates. Plantnode is proven to increase Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and enables machine level visibility on a 24x7 basis with automatic escalations and interactive processes to drive higher levels of operational efficiency, quality, and performance.

PLANTNODE NETWORK

Plantnode Network is an enterprise web-based software application that consolidates and analyzes operational data for all Plantnode enabled equipment providing a complete and accurate view of production performance. Plantnode Network’s distributed design provides true enterprise scalability to evaluate real-time performance on a plant-wide, multi-site, or global basis.