The Council of Fleet Specialists and the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Assn. have announced an array of educational seminars

for rebuilders of heavy-duty truck parts and equipment, for both on- and off- road vehicles.
The seminars are to be followed by a display of rebuilding equipment, components, cores and supplies during the International BIG R Show. The meeting is scheduled for the Riviera Hotel & Casino from Oct. 29 through Nov. 1, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nev.
Seminar topics include:

Lean Remanufacturing -- Lean remanufacturing is a technique for shortening the time between the customer’s order and shipment. Learn the fundamentals of this process, from visual controls to set-up and batch-size reductions. The course is a mixture of classroom and live simulation. Instructor: John Fargher, Jr., Ph.D., Director, Missouri Enterprise Business Assistance Center

Tax Secrets of the Wealthy -- Irv Blackman, lawyer and CPA is author of the book, Tax Secrets of the Wealthy. Blackman specializes in estate planning, business succession and asset protection. Learn how to:
-- Transfer assets, including your business, to your kids (or others) tax-free, yet control them for as long as you live.
-- Create the three plans for total tax freedom: business transfer plan, wealth transfer plan and retirement plan.
-- Triple the value of your profit-sharing plan, 401(k) or IRA.
-- Value your business for tax purposes.
-- Protect your assets (from creditors, lawsuits and divorcing in-laws).
-- Get a 60% (or more) discount when you purchase life insurance.
-- Eliminate the estate tax.
Unlocking the Commercial Vehicle Market -- Moderator Bruce Plaxton, BGP Marketing Solutions will chair the panel or industry leaders to discuss the role remanufactured components play in the commercial vehicle marketplace. Panelists will address the changing requirements for remanufactured components and how the remanufacturer must respond to grow their business in the years ahead. The attendees will hear from:
-- Tom Clevinger, General Marketing Manager Paccar Parts;
-- Lew Flowers of the US Postal Service, where he is currently Manager of the Oklahoma region maintenance and a former General Chairman of The Maintenance Council (TMC);
-- Russell Musgrave, Managing Director of Maintenance of FedEx for the Eastern half of the USA, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

To eBay or Not to eBay -- David Struck of Weller Auto/Truck Parts in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will talk about how he uses eBay to buy and sell a variety of auto and truck parts. Many people in the auto and truck aftermarket are locating serious buyers and sellers through eBay

The Effect of Mechatronics and Electronics on the Future of Your Remanufacturing -- Fernand Weiland of FJW Consulting, Cologne, Germany, will explain how electronics will affect products which are currently only mechanical or electrical in nature. Remanufacturers will have to face this challenge if they wish to stay in the reman business.

Future of Heavy Truck Technology -- Bill Wade, executive director of the Council of Fleet Specialists will present an overview of major technology trends which are drastically changing the heavy-duty parts and service business.

Warranty Return Analysis – Straight to the Bottom Line -- Many businesses look at warranty costs as unavoidable due to the reuse of components, replacement component reliability, and the demands of their customer base. These factors represent a major challenge, but one that can be met when armed with a strategy and the appropriate analysis tools.

“Reman products are increasing in importance for CFS distributors, so this cooperation is a natural” said Frank Szabo, CFS chairman. “I don’t think that any of our members who are heavily invested (or are thinking about increasing their reman presence) can afford to miss an opportunity like this”.

Mike Hill, Chairman of APRA’s Heavy Duty Remanufacturing Group, commented, “This is a good thing to have CFS distributors attending our International BIG R Show and participating in some of our program events that are focused on the heavy duty marketplace. We welcome their presence.”