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  • Survey: Preventive maintenance a priority in times of uncertainty for logistics firms

    Survey: Preventive maintenance a priority in times of uncertainty for logistics firms

    New survey data from Tech.co has revealed that nearly a quarter (22%) of U.S. logistics businesses are prioritizing vehicle upkeep, at a time when major unforeseen disruptions have caused a spike in operational pressure – 

    Vehicle Maintenance Prioritized to Offset Major Unforeseen Disruptions 

    • 22% of U.S. logistics businesses prioritized vehicle upkeep in February (a 3% percentage point increase from January to February 2026)
    • 30% of U.S. logistic businesses said major unforeseen disruptions had caused a spike in operational pressure
    • Among firms prioritizing vehicle upkeep, 70% are focusing on preventative maintenance

    New survey data by Tech.co has revealed that nearly a quarter (22%) of U.S. logistics businesses are prioritizing vehicle upkeep, at a time when major unforeseen disruptions have caused a spike in operational pressure.

    Tech.co said it has been tracking operational pressure within the logistics industry since April 2025 by monitoring levels of freight demand, issue severity and business stance across surveyed logistics firms.

    This ‘Operational Pressure Index’ reached its highest figure (44) in February , highlighting a recent spike in operational pressure felt across U.S. logistics businesses.

    Tech.co’s findings show that 30% of logistics businesses said major unforeseen disruptions caused a spike in operational pressure.

    Severe weather could have also contributed to such a significant jump in this metric, as ‘Storm Fern’ encompassed the South and Northeast of the U.S. in January, disrupting the freight market.

    Tech.co said 70% of U.S. logistics firms that are prioritizing vehicle upkeep have been focusing on preventative maintenance as their top vehicle upkeep measure in February.

    The survey’s top five vehicle upkeep measures currently being implemented U.S. logistics businesses include:

    1. Preventative maintenance (70%)
    2. Addressing mechanical issues (52%)
    3. Upgrading/replacing components (51%)
    4. Ensuring safety compliance (49%)
    5. Improving fuel efficiency (40%)

    Tech.co also found fleets face more issues related to unforeseen disruptions including:

    • Vehicle upkeep expenses: Vehicle upkeep rose by 3 percentage points from January to February, and has remained the top priority while harsh weather damaged trucks and forced companies to spend more on maintenance.
    • Labor challenges: February saw a rise in poor working conditions as drivers were subjected to harsher driving conditions and potentially longer hours due to unpredictable delays.
    • Higher insurance costs: More road accidents have raised the price of insurance

    Tech.co’s editor, Jack Turner, said “The latest data from Tech.co’s research shows preventative maintenance is now a top priority for 70% of logistics firms. This signals a transition from reactive crisis management to strategic preservation.

    With the industry currently volatile, we’re seeing companies are taking steps to invest now and protect themselves in the future. The move is an essential one, as companies look to maintain some semblance of control where they can, in the face of ever more challenges and disruption to the supply chain.

  • New Diesel Laptop Master Series adds information to diagnostic tools

    New Diesel Laptop Master Series adds information to diagnostic tools

    Diesel Laptops recently announced the launch of its new Master Series of diagnostic solutions, giving commercial truck and off-highway customers a faster, simpler way to diagnose equipment, find the right repair information, and get jobs done.

    The new Master Series includes Truck Master, Equipment Master, and Truck & Equipment Master that are built to help customers diagnose problems faster, repair equipment more accurately, and reduce costly downtime. Unlike standalone scan tools, the Master Series is designed to connect diagnostics with the tools technicians actually need to finish the job: repair information, parts lookup, technical support, and training.

    “With the Master Series, we’re making it easier than ever for customers to choose the right solution for the way they work,” said Tyler Robertson, founder & CEO of Diesel Laptops. “This launch is about more than diagnostics. It’s about giving technicians, shops, and fleets a complete repair ecosystem that helps them move faster, fix more, and keep equipment on the road. In short, a complete solution.”

    This launch also introduces two new license options:

    • Solo Licenses for individual technicians and owner-operators who need powerful diagnostics without the extra overhead
    • Shop Licenses for repair businesses that need a scalable solution for multiple technicians, bays, and workflows

    The new structure gives customers a more intuitive way to buy into the Diesel Laptops platform whether they need a solution for one technician or an entire shop. It also reflects the company’s broader shift toward subscription-based offerings that lowers up-front cost barriers and makes it easier for customers to access the same core hardware, software, and services in a more flexible model.

    The integrated ecosystem now includes fault code to part number and pricing within 60 seconds, VIN-to-parts, and seamless vehicle data syncing with Diesel Health. Because the system is designed as a native solution, there is no need for additional cables or complex configurations.

    These solutions will be shipping starting March 30.

    For more information about the new Diesel Laptops Master Series, visit www.DieselLaptops.com.

  • Sun acquires 23 DAS locations in Colorado and Arizona

    Sun acquires 23 DAS locations in Colorado and Arizona

    Sun Auto Tire & Service has entered Colorado through the acquisition of 23 locations from DAS Drive Automotive Services.

    The acquisition establishes Sun Auto’s first locations in Colorado, creating a strong presence in the greater Denver market while strengthening the company’s network in Arizona and expanding the Sun Auto Network’s coverage across the Southwest.

    “We’re excited to welcome these respected brands and their teams to the Sun Auto Network,” said Chief Operations Officer Chris Ripani. “Each of these businesses has built strong relationships in their communities by delivering dependable service and taking care of customers the right way. That commitment aligns perfectly with the values we look for in every partnership.”

    As part of the Sun Auto Network, guests will gain access to the broader advantages of the network, including leading national tire brands, digital vehicle inspections, expanded service capabilities and a nationwide warranty backed by more than 575 locations across the country. The locations will also benefit from shared operational resources, advanced training programs and integrated technology systems designed to support technicians and deliver a consistent, high-quality service experience.

    According to the company, this acquisition reflects Sun Auto’s continued focus on sustainable growth through partnerships with well-established operators who share the company’s commitment to service quality, team development and long-term community relationships.

    With more than 575 locations nationwide, the Sun Auto Network continues expanding access to trusted tire and automotive services while supporting the teams and communities that power its growth, said a statement from the company.

  • Deadline approaches for Busch scholarships

    Deadline approaches for Busch scholarships

    Applications for the Michael Busch Memorial Scholarships,which are presented by the ASE Education Foundation, are due March 31.

    Two students entering the collision industry will receive scholarships for the 2026–27 academic year.

    The Michael Busch Memorial Scholarships were created in memory of the son of a former collision shop owner and ASE board member, Jim Busch, who operated a shop in Issaquah, Washington until his retirement. His son, Michael, was an automotive technology student who tragically lost his battle with cancer.

    Qualified applicants should be a graduating high school senior, a high school graduate or have earned a GED certificate. In addition, applicants should be enrolled or planning to enroll as a full-time student in a two- or four-year college or university or an ASE-accredited post-secondary collision repair program.

    To apply for the Busch Memorial Scholarships, visit AutomotiveScholarships.com/apply-online.

  • Snap-on Total Shop Solutions at TMC next week

    Snap-on Total Shop Solutions at TMC next week

    Snap-on Total Shop Solutions (TSS ) will have a major presence at the 2026 Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition, held March 16-19 at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

    Heavy-duty equipment and products from industry-leading TSS brands including Challenger Lifts, Hofmann , JOSAM , Mitchell 1 , NEXIQ Technologies and Pro-Cut will be on ite and available for demonstrations.

    Each TSS brand will have its own booth at TMC.

    “We look forward to connecting with industry leaders and showcasing how our trusted brands continue to shape the future of heavy-duty service,” said Mariana Montovaneli, director of marketing for Snap-on Equipment. “Our goal is to help technicians and managers work smarter and more efficiently. TMC gives us the perfect opportunity to demonstrate how Snap-on TSS delivers real-world results for today’s heavy-duty service professionals.”

    Snap-on Total Shop Solutions is a family of Snap-on brands that brings together best-in-class automotive repair products.

  • CAWA scholarship deadline March 31

    CAWA scholarship deadline March 31

    The California Automotive Wholesalers Association (CAWA) and the University of the Aftermarket Foundation is accepting applications for automotive scholarship awards.

    The scholarship program supports educational opportunities for CAWA members and industry friends, colleagues, associates and your family, and those interested in a career in the auto care industry.

    The online application process allows students interested in auto care industry careers to submit one application each year online at www.automotivescholarships.com and receive consideration for several scholarships.

    Applications for 2026 awards will be accepted up to March 31.

    The California Automotive Wholesalers Association (CAWA) is a non-profit trade association representing the automotive aftermarket industry in California, Nevada and Arizona since 1955. It supports auto parts manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and jobbers through legislative advocacy, education, and business services.

  • Dobbs adds 2 Wisconsin businesses; now has 19 locations in the state

    Dobbs adds 2 Wisconsin businesses; now has 19 locations in the state

    Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers recently announced the acquisitions of Wisconsin-based Schierl Tire & Auto Service and two Al Huss Auto locations.

    Founded as a family-owned and operated business in 1956, Schierl Tire has eight locations across northeast Wisconsin and provides comprehensive automotive maintenance and repair services, along with heavy truck and agricultural tire services. The recent acquisitions of Schierl Tire, Al Huss Auto and Matthews Tire mark an exciting chapter for Dobbs, which now has 19 locations in the Wisconsin market.

    “With the acquisition of the Schierl Tire brand, Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers continues our expansion in the Wisconsin market. We’re excited to build on our reputation for exceptional service and quality products, while continuing to invest in training, state-of-the-art equipment, and our valued team members to further elevate the customer experience,” said Dustin Dobbs.

    “We believe Dobbs is the perfect partner to continue the Schierl Tire legacy of exceptional customer service and community commitment,” said William Schierl, Co – CEO of Team Schierl Companies.“Continued investment in their people and operations ensures our customers will continue to receive the highest level of care.”

    The Schierl Tire & Auto Centers acquisition includes seven Schierl Tire and one Hartje Tire location in Wisconsin. Additionally, all retail employees will be retained in the transaction.

    This transaction marks another milestone in Dobbs’ growth plans. Dobbs recently opened six new Greenfield locations in Missouri and 16 additional strategically redeveloped sites in Ohio, Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin. They are set to open 18 more redeveloped sites in early 2026, taking Dobbs to over 152 locations.

    Since opening its first store in 1976 in Yorkshire Plaza in St. Louis, Missouri, Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers has grown with recent acquisitions, including Longview, Texas-based Automotive Super Center (ASC), Columbia, Missouri-based Custom Complete Automotive, and Cleveland, Ohio-based Conrad’s Tire Express & Car Care.

    Today, Dobbs employs more than 1,200 associates across 8 states. Since its inception, the company has differentiated itself as a“one-stop-shop” for tires and service and offers to its loyal customer base a variety of name-brand tires, a diverse range of automotive services, and market-leading customer service.

    Dobbs provides complete tire service, featuring major brands, including Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, Pirelli, Cooper, BFGoodrich, Sumitomo, Kelly, and Crosswind tires. Dobbs provides complete automotive services for all types of vehicles, including gas, hybrid, and electric vehicles and across all vehicle component areas, specializing in routine and preventative maintenance as well as complex diagnostic and engine repairs.

  • GreatWater 360 acquires Twin Cities garage; now has 150 locations

    GreatWater 360 acquires Twin Cities garage; now has 150 locations

    GreatWater 360 Auto Care recently announced the acquisition of Leighton’s Garage, a well-established shop in the Twin Cities metro area. The addition brings GreatWater’s total network to 150 locations nationwide and marks its entry into Minnesota, the company’s 10th state.

     The milestone reflects GreatWater’s continued execution of its disciplined growth strategy focused on partnering with high-quality independent operators and integrating them into a scalable platform, according to a statement from the compoany.

    “Reaching 150 locations underscores the strength and repeatability of our operating model,” said Jim Dykstra, chief executive officer of GreatWater 360 Auto Care. “We remain focused on thoughtful geographic expansion, operational excellence, and supporting the teams and communities that have built these businesses.”

    GreatWater’s scale supports real-time visibility into shop-level performance and a disciplined field cadence.

    “We’ve invested heavily in operational initiatives that have powered GreatWater’s growth,” said Scott Anderson, president and chief operating O\officer of GreatWater 360 Auto Care. “Our centralized operating system and performance tools help us standardize best practices, improve turnaround times, and elevate the customer experience—while still empowering local teams to run great shops.”

    GreatWater operates across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kentucky, Texas, Missouri, and Minnesota. The company provides its locations with centralized support across recruiting, training, procurement, finance, marketing, and technology, enabling shop-level teams to focus on delivering high-quality service to customers.

    The addition of Leighton’s Garage further strengthens GreatWater’s presence in the Midwest and expands its ability to serve customers across attractive,high-density markets. The company intends to continue pursuing acquisitions of established, community-oriented repair shops that align with its operating philosophy and long-term vision.

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  • Private investment firm pays $1.3 billion for jiffy Lube

    Private investment firm pays $1.3 billion for jiffy Lube

    Monomoy Capital Partners, a private investment firm focused on private equity and credit investing in the middle market, announced recently it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Jiffy Lube International, Inc., from Pennzoil Quaker State Company DBA SOPUS Products, a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell USA, Inc.

    An affiliate of Monomoy will acquire Jiffy Lube through its Fund V for approximately $1.3 billion. The transaction is expected to close by the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval.

    Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, Jiffy Lube pioneered the fast oil change industry and now serves approximately 19 million customers annually through more than 2,000 service centers across North America. Building on its core oil change offering, Jiffy Lube provides a comprehensive range of automotive services, including maintenance of brakes, batteries, tires and more.

    “Few brands have the heritage and scale of Jiffy Lube,” commented Monomoy Managing Director Lee Mlotek. “As the original pioneer of the fast oil change, Jiffy Lube reshaped the industry and remains the market leader today. We are incredibly excited to partner with our franchisees to enhance the customer experience and value proposition that has made Jiffy Lube a trusted name for generations.”

    The partnership combines Jiffy Lube’s leadership position in the automotive service industry with Monomoy’s history of providing operational support to branded retailers and automotive aftermarket businesses.

    “For over twenty years, global corporations have trusted Monomoy to execute complex corporate carve-out transactions,” said Monomoy Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer Dan Collin. “We are thankful that the Shell team has entrusted Monomoy to provide the operational experience and strategic capital to position Jiffy Lube as a stand-alone entity. Jiffy Lube enters this next chapter well capitalized and focused on future growth with its franchise partners.”

  • Technicians, others honored at VISION High Tech Training Expo

    Technicians, others honored at VISION High Tech Training Expo

    On Saturday, March 7, automotive industry professionals—from students and technicians to educators and shop owners—were honored at the 2026 VISION High Tech Training and Expo Awards Breakfast. The expo was held March 5-8 in Kansas City, and attracted more than 3,500 attendees.

    The awards event commemorated a year of excellence in automotive education, service, and professionalism, and celebrated 23 award recipients, including Jerry Holcom, who was presented with a $100,000 scholarship fund (the Jerry Holcom Scholarship Fund ) in his honor to be awarded for Technicians of Tomorrow.

    This year’s honorees inclkude:

    MWACA Student Scholarship

    • Morgan Liggett, Flint Hills Technical College, Allen, Kansas
    • Caidn Williams, Albernett High School, Albernett, Iowa
    • Nicole Pasterski, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana
    • Jadyn Friesen, Sutton High School. Sutton, Nebraska

    Tim Cummings Memorial Scholarship funded by Rick’s Automotive Inc.

    • Bella Contreras, Brazzeal Automotive, Tampa, Florida

    Anthony Williams Memorial Student Scholarship funded by Advance Professional

    • Kaya Sezer, Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie, Minnesota

    Harvey Chan Memorial Scholarship

    • Juan Saucedo-Torres, Euro Clinic, Santa Clara, California

    Oz Mechanics Scholarship

    • Aaron DeLeon, Precision Automotive, Bakersfield, California

    Future Tech of the Trade Scholarship funded by Shop-Ware & Changing the Industry Podcast

    • Kaitlin Schave, Tenpin Motors, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin

    Amazing Women in Automotive Scholarship funded by Amazing Women in Automotive

    • Monica Baeza, Port of Oakland, Richmond, California

    Best Social Media

    • Girlington Garage, South Burlington, Vermont

    Website of the Year

    • Pellman’s Automotive, Boulder, Colorado

    Best Places to Work

    • Mevert Automotive & Tire Center, Steeleville, Illinois

    Radical Generosity Award presented by Shop Marketing Pros

    • Brian & Jill Sump, Urban Auto Care, Denver, Colorado

    Educator of the Year

    • Dave Heinzen, Madison College, Madison, Wisconsi

    Technician of the Year

    • Brian Rush, Honest Wrenches, West Des Moines, Iowa

    Service Advisor of the Year

    • Nikki Anderson, Westgate High-Tech Auto Care, Omaha, Nebraska

    MWACA Member of the Year

    • Melanie Jacobs, Honest Wrenches, Des Moines, Iowa

    President’s Club

    • Reggie Stewart, Reggie’s Motorworks, Noblesville, Indiana
    • David Hall, Quality Car Care, North Liberty, Iowa

    MWACA President’s Award

    • Jim Wilson, Auto Dynamics, Olathe, Kansas

    Facility of the Year

    • Full Throttle Automotive, Evansville, Indiana

    Golden Wrench Award

    • Jerry Holcom, S&S Service Center, Kansas City, Missouri