I thought it might be fitting to start my first official communication with some inspiring and encouraging words on change. I don’t need to tell you all that change can be tough at times, but it can also inspire us and free us to imagine and accomplish things we’d never dreamed of. Change requires courage, an open mind and yes -- lots of hard work, late nights and long miles.
I know that this group is well acquainted with all of those things. Each time I had the opportunity to chat with various mobile tool distributors in the last few months -- maybe it was over the phone or across the table at the MEDCO show in Philadelphia -- I’ve enjoyed listening to tales of starting up and establishing routes and retirement plans (always “some day”). Maybe the business owner was located in a small, seaside town in New Jersey, or drove a route through expansive territories northeast of Toronto. No matter if the distributor was an independent or operated a franchise, each story usually had some things in common:
1) At one point they took a chance (or a calculated risk).
2) The business has changed since they started, and continues to evolve.
3) They change with it.
For us on staff, it is the how of these stories that we want to record and share with you.
We’ve had some changes here, too. Me, for one. As the new editor I strive to maintain our commitment to mobile tool distributors and the advancement of the industry. I also plan to stay committed to those areas that are a bit of an unknown -- like the pervasiveness of online retail purchases and the increased adoption and sales of diagnostic tools and software. In addition, I’m pleased to introduce our new Managing Editor, David Brierley. David is a recent and very welcome addition to our team. He is also a car enthusiast (ask him about his “baby” -- a 1975 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am). Finally, I’m happy to report assistant editors Vesna Brajkovic and Stefanie Von Reuden are still here and will continue to bring you the best of new product sneak peeks and training, as well as expert reporting and interviews.
This is your magazine. If you have an opinion about how we might better serve our readers, I want to hear from you. If you have a tip about a hot tool or successful business you think we should cover, let us know! Call me, send me an email or stop by if you’re in town.
PS. I want to extend my personal best wishes to Erica Schueller, who has been promoted to Editor-in-Chief of Fleet Maintenance magazine within our Vehicle Repair Group. You are always positive and accomplish what you set out to do, and you leave very large shoes to fill (as the saying goes).
