High-Performance Parts and Accessories Department set to debut

Building on the success of the High-Performance Service Department, introduced at the 2009 Green Industry and Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO), the new High-Performance Parts and Accessories Department is planned to be held at GIE+EXPO 2010, which will take place Oct. 28-30 at Louisville’s Kentucky Exposition Center. This new attraction will provide outdoor power equipment dealers with an informative mix of education, displays and demonstrations on how to maximize the profit-making potential of their own shops.


This year, 10 sponsoring companies have teamed up with Bob Clements International, Heftee Industries and Ideal Computer Systems to provide back-to-back presentations, panel discussions and guided tours each day throughout a 5,000-square-foot layout of a model parts department that will include new counter display and shelving ideas, along with the latest in parts management tools and technology.


“We’re taking the success of 2009 to the next level,” said Bob Clements, president of the dealership business development firm Bob Clements International and an OPE contributing writer. “This is about helping the dealer make more money with their parts program in every area of their shop from both sides of the counter to even creating new programs outside the shop. This is a must stop for every dealer attending the show.”


Bob Clements International will provide training and tours of the pavilion. The training sessions will be Thursday and Friday afternoons, as well as Saturday morning. The training schedule will be as follows:


Thursday, Oct. 28


10 – 11:30 a.m.
Marketing Ideas that Increase Parts Sales


2 – 3:30 p.m.
Improving the Parts Department Layout and Planning for Expansion


Friday, Oct. 29


10 – 11:30 a.m.
Improving Parts Margins and Fill Rates While Reducing Inventory


2 – 3:30 p.m.
Understanding the 3 Key Financial Measures of the Parts Department


Saturday, Oct. 30


10 – 11 a.m.
Managing Your People and Your Department


Visitors to the High-Performance Parts and Accessories Department can also look, learn, and listen by meeting one-on-one with program sponsors or by sitting in on daily panel discussions. “This is a great opportunity for dealers to get a good, overall view of shop management processes, which are key to any dealership operation,” said Dave Baumgarden from Ideal Computer Systems. “If you want to see the tools that can help you maximize profits, then this is the place to be.”


This year, an extensive list of sponsors will be on hand to share their expertise with dealers visiting their booths located within the High-Performance Parts and Accessories Department. Sponsors include ARI Network Services Inc., Ariens Company, Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Husqvarna Professional Products, Hustler Turf Equipment, Kohler Company, MTD Products Inc., Schiller Grounds Care Inc., Stens Corporation and Stihl Inc.


The value of the High-Performance pavilion is that it will enable dealers to focus on one of the most valuable segments of their business: parts and service. Dealer feedback from 2009’s High-Performance Service Department demonstrated that there was a definite need for expanding the High-Performance Department into Parts and Accessories in 2010. According to Randy Ebersol of Ebersol Power Center, “The High-Performance Service Department is one of the highlights for why we are here. You learn an awful lot, and you can fast forward your training by hearing from the people who have done it for a long time.”


Added Stan Musser from Musser’s Lawn & Garden, “There’s a wealth of knowledge here. You don’t have to recreate the wheel when it’s already been created and you can learn from it.”


For more information about GIE+EXPO 2010, contact Sellers Expositions at (800) 558-8767, (812) 949-9200 or info@gie-expo.com or go to www.gie-expo.com.

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