Two very different enterprises, two unique paths to success—Canada’s Piston Ring Service and U.S.-based Auto Repair Compare (ARC) share a common vision for the $400 billion-plus North American automotive parts and service industry. They also share the distinction of being selected as Epicor Automotive Customer Award winners during Insights 2023 in Las Vegas.
“Piston Ring and ARC are emblematic of the automotive aftermarket’s relentless focus on customer convenience and value,” explained Tim Hardin, senior vice president and general manager, global Auto, Data and Extend Services for Epicor. “They are on the leading edge of the digital transformation that’s redefining how service providers help keep their customers’ vehicles in safe, reliable operating condition.”
Automotive Champion Award
Hardin presented Piston Ring President Trevor Tennant with the 2023 Epicor Automotive Champion Award during the opening session of the Insights Automotive business track. Founded as a single-location machine shop in 1953, Piston Ring is now one of Canada’s largest and most respected distributors of vehicle replacement parts, with a footprint spanning Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Northwest Ontario.
The catalyst for this impressive, sustained growth is reflected in the company’s customer promise: “Service is the difference.”
“We invest in technology and an IT team so that store employees can take care of the customer,” Tennant said. For nearly 30 years, Piston Ring has delivered a superior customer experience using an array of Epicor solutions, including Epicor Eagle for the Aftermarket store management software, Epicor Vision distribution management solution, Epicor PartExpert eCatalog, Epicor Indago warehouse management system, and Epicor Industry Data Analytics.
The Tennant family has been a significant partner not only to the thousands of repair shop owners they serve, but also to Epicor. They embrace the opportunities that come through empowering employees with the latest and best technologies, and their consistent growth is a natural extension of this approach.
Trevor Tennant was quick to add that partnership is a two-way street. “Both sides have consistently and meaningfully invested in the relationship,” he said.. “Epicor listens to customers and incorporates hands-on feedback. They value our opinion, and it is reflected in thoughtful products.”
Automotive Innovator Award
Epicor presented the 2023 Automotive Innovator Award to Rick Goodwin, president of Auto Repair Compare.
Think about it: why can consumers go online to price food, apparel, appliances, and cars, but not car repair? Auto Repair Compare exists to fill this gap, and the company’s game-changing solution, ARC Smart Quoter, is helping to align thousands of automotive service businesses with the changing expectations of digitally empowered consumers.
ARC Smart Quoter is the only B2C digital solution that enables vehicle owners to easily look up and price repairs for their vehicles through service provider websites. The Smart Quoter process is powered in part through the Epicor Integrated Service Estimator solution, which helps users quickly and accurately identify the parts and labor requirements of virtually any common vehicle repair. Rather than disrupt the relationship between service provider and consumer, ARC Smart Quoter strengthens customer confidence and satisfaction while increasing bay traffic. In fact, the solution is already helping shops achieve an impressive audited 60 percent conversion rate from online appointment to completed repair.
“Our success demonstrates the value of connecting with consumers when, where and how they prefer – which is increasingly online across almost all age groups,” Goodwin explained. “We believe our ISE-powered quoting tool will drive conversion even higher, whether the consumer connects online, by phone, or at the service counter.”
