|
More Than 7,000 Technicians Expected to Participate in Hands-On Training at 39 Sites in U.S., Canada and Mexico in 2008
Monroe, MI - The popular Tenneco Technology Tour and Monroe Ride-and-Drive training experience – an exclusive hands-on technical training program for automotive service professionals – will visit at least 39 major North American markets and is expected to enroll more than 7,000 technicians in 2008.
Developed by Tenneco Inc. (NYSE: TEN), manufacturer of Monroe shocks and struts, Monroe brakes and Walker exhaust products, the Technology Tour and Ride-and-Drive program enables technicians to experience the ride and handling differences in popular late-model vehicles equipped with new ride control components and identical vehicles fitted with worn shocks and struts. This interactive experience includes the fleet of test vehicles, a specially designed test track, a training area for detailed diagnostic instruction, and a broad range of technical displays. In addition to more than 30 open sessions for professional technicians across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the Tour will visit automotive technical schools and a variety of industry events.
“The Tenneco Technology Tour and Monroe Ride-and-Drive are designed to help shop owners and their technicians increase sales of key undercar components by focusing on the latest diagnostic procedures for domestic and import vehicles,” said T.J. Fontana, manager of training and operations, North American Aftermarket, Tenneco. “Customers who have enrolled in this program have told us it’s the best training experience they’ve ever had.”
Michael Gordon, president of Rochester, N.Y.-based distributorship Monroe Motor Products Corp., said the Tour has had a powerful affect on his customers’ ride control volume. “This experience is probably the single biggest driver in moving the needle for our ride control business. It significantly increases sales of shocks and struts,” he said.
In addition to covering diagnostic procedures, Tenneco’s ASE Master-certified instructors help participants learn how to explain to consumers the value of ride control replacement. Other technical content covers exhaust and emission control services, including sales opportunities in the performance exhaust category. Between Tour stops and throughout the year, Monroe field training professionals and Tenneco’s aftermarket sales team provide on-site technical education in hundreds of additional locations.
The Technology Tour and Monroe Ride-and-Drive experience will kick off in late February in Florida with stops in Miami (Feb. 21) and Orlando (Feb. 26). The March schedule includes one-day events in Greenwood, S.C. (March 4), Tucson, Ariz. (March 13), St. George, Utah (March 17), and Fresno, Calif. (March 20). Additional March dates are being finalized for Southern California.
For the complete Tenneco Technology Tour schedule and information on other Monroe training initiatives, please contact your Monroe shocks and struts supplier, visit www.monroe.com, or call (734) 384-7846.
Tenneco Inc. is a $4.7 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois, and approximately 19,000 employees worldwide. Tenneco is one of the world’s largest designers, manufacturers and marketers of emission control and ride control products and systems for the automotive original equipment market and the aftermarket. Tenneco markets its products principally under the Monroe®, Walker®, Gillet™ and Clevite® Elastomer brand names. Among its products are Sensa-Trac® and Monroe Reflex® shocks and struts, Rancho® suspension systems and shock absorbers, Walker® Quiet-Flow® mufflers, DynoMax® performance exhaust products, and Clevite® Elastomer noise, vibration and harshness control components.
|
