Auto Recycling eNewsletter AutoSalvageConsultant.com

 

For immediate release – June 2012

Written and published by Ron Sturgeon, autosalvageconsultant.com, e-mail to rons@autosalvageconsultant.com.  To register for future free issues, visit http://www.autosalvageconsultant.com.  Don’t forget to watch for our management articles monthly in Recyclers Power Source Magazine or posted at our web site.

 

This Month’s News

Solera Holdings, Inc Buys Actual Systems Maker of Pinnacle Yard Management Software: In a series of transactions, Solera Holdings, Inc., a leading provider of software to the insurance industry, has acquired Actual Systems, the maker of the Pinnacle Yard Management software. Read the full press release about Solera’s purchase of Actual Systems.

 

Comment on the acquisition: Of course Solera owns APD Hollander, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out. Back when ADP purchased AutoInfo, they immediately told users that there would be no more updates. An FTC inquiry eventually forced APD to divest Auto Info. In the meantime, I and many other recyclers created URG and made creating software to manage yards and parts inventories a priority. That software that URG created is owned by Actual Systems, the entity Solera Holdings has purchased.

 

Just as it was then, the real reason for the acquisition is not to control recyclers, but to gain access to the data that the system generates so that Solera can resell it. I will be following this one closely.

 

It will be interesting to see how this acquisition shakes out for yard owners, insurers, and data aggregators and consumers because it, arguably, creates the same sort of monopoly situation as in 1996.

 

 

New Peer Benchmarking Groups Forming for Auto Recyclers: Ron Sturgeon will be starting new groups for recyclers who want to make 2012 their best year yet. For information about upcoming peer benchmarking groups for recyclers, contact (name) at number or (email address.) Groups are forming now!

Online Auction Firm Copart Gobbles Up Diamond Auto Bids and Disposals: Copart gains a bigger auction footprint in Calgary and Edmonton, Canada, by acquiring the privately held auto auction company Diamond Auto Bids.  Read the full story about Copart’s newest acquisition.

 

 

 

Salvage and Recycling Kingpin Harold LeMay’s Car Collection to Become America’s Car Museum: Even trimmed down from its peak of over 3,000 collector cars, the Lemay Collection is impressive. Car enthusiasts and collectors who would like a first hand glimpse of the famous collection can see it in its new home, a gleaming steal building in downtown Tacoma. It’s a collection good enough to make Jay Leno jealous. More about America’s car museum and the LeMay collection.

 

 

How’s Business?

 “Success – To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; this is to have succeeded.”

Bessie A. Stanley

AutoSalvageconsultant.com was formed in 2001 to help recyclers improve their businesses. The group has become THE definitive source for recyclers’ management and training needs. The founder, Ron Sturgeon is past owner of AAA Small Car World.  In 1999, he sold his six Texas locations, with 140 employees, to Greenleaf.  In 2001, he founded North Texas Insurance Auction, which he sold to Copart in 2002.  In 2009, his book Salvaging More Millions from Your Small Business was published to help small business owners achieve significant success. Ron consults, speaks, and writes about issues key to successful entrepreneurship. Reach Ron at 817-838-8477 8# or contact him on www.autosalvageconsultant.com.