ADESA, which entered the vehicle-redistribution industry in 1989, plans to celebrate its 25th birthday in an exceptional manner — by giving back to each of its 65 North American auction locations’ local communities through 25 good deeds.
Hoping to wrap up the “fun acts of goodwill” by the end of the year, the company’s president and chief executive officer, Stephane St-Hilaire, looks forward to giving back to the communities that helped ADESA grow.
“We wanted to find a way to celebrate 25 years in business that not only included all of our locations, but also showed our appreciation for our customers and benefited our local communities,” St-Hilaire said. “This is a unique opportunity to add some creativity to our acts of kindness, and of course, encourage a little friendly competition between our locations.”
The company recommended several good deeds for its employees, including volunteering at local food banks, bringing flowers to nursing home residents, as well as simple gestures, such as leaving quarters near vending machines, paying for meals for cars behind them at drive-through windows, etc.
Customers are also encouraged to participate, with recommendations like bringing books to local ADESA locations for a book drive, donating items to local animal shelters, etc. Each location will track progress with a large score card.
“Community involvement is one of ADESA’s core values,” St-Hilaire said. “So it was only natural to include giving back into the recognition of our 25th anniversary.”
Auto/Mate Dealership Systems announced this week a product development that company management says will streamline dealership workflow.
The company has integrated its dealerships management system with etfile’s electronic document management solution.
Now, dealers using the etfile document imagining, filing and retrieval system can now get deals from F&I and repair orders from service, via delivery from Auto/Mate's DMS.
The integration also allows dealers to identify all documents that were not scanned on a given day, the company shared.
"Auto dealers can create hundreds of documents on a daily basis, and if they're using an electronic filing system the ability to retrieve documents out of their DMS in a timely manner is critical to increasing efficiencies," said Mike Esposito, president and chief executive officer of Auto/Mate Dealership Systems.
Highlighting the document tool in more detail, etfile's Enterprise Content Management solutions work to create a “paperless” environment at the dealerships and helps dealers to streamline the management of parts and repair orders, invoices and sales paperwork.
It also gives dealers quick access to information so they can better answer inquiries from partners and customers.
"Partnering with Auto/Mate will allow hundreds of dealerships to take advantage of the benefits associated with our document management system, which include saving thousands of dollars per month in productivity as well as greater accuracy than a human filing papers in drawers," said Mark Linton, president of etfile.
Forty cyclists, supported by Cox Enterprises’ Arizona-based Ready Auto Transport, completed a 430-mile bike ride, the Ride 430 Challenge, and raised more than $430,000 for injured military service members and their families.
As the lead sponsor, Ready Auto Transport helped cover expenses for the event, including hosting the opening ceremony, providing support for riders along the route, while members of Cox Enterprises also contributed through a donation of $68,000.
The bike ride itself, which covered 430 miles over the course of four days, finished at the Commemorative Air Museum in Mesa, Ariz. Riders began and finished each leg of the race together, mirroring the various military creeds of never leaving a comrade behind.
John Greenway, the founder of the Ride 430 Challenge, spoke about how the participants are simply ordinary people doing extraordinary things to help those that sacrifice for their country.
“To see this team’s dedication to the cause is inspiring,” Greenway said. “The average charitable bike ride brings in about $12,000, and the average rider raises just $187.”
The funds raised by the challenge go to support a wide array of items, from financial assistance and scholarships to adaptive sports equipment and camps for children who have lost a parent in combat, according to the campaign. Beneficiaries for the funds raised are the MARSOC Foundation, the Knights of Heroes Foundation, and Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors.
“More than 320,000 soldiers deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan have come home with a traumatic brain injury, and 11 percent of them have endured an amputation,” Greenway said. “With these kinds of injuries, and the ongoing challenges faced by families of fallen soldiers, the needs will continue long after the conflicts have ended. So, we ride to give American heroes and their families hope and assistance as they travel the road to recovery.”
The National Auto Auction Association announced this week that it has increased funding for its Warren Young, Sr. Scholastic Foundation, to be used for its annual merit scholarships, by $1,000. The new total funding amount, $52,000, will continue to help allow the nonprofit organization to give scholarships for both full-time and part-time students pursuing education at four-year, two-year, and vocational-technical schools.
The increase was voted and approved by the organization’s board of directors following the success of the Black Book Pedal Car Auction, the fundraiser held during the 2014 NAAA Convention, which raised $576,300 for the NAAA’s scholarship program, over ten times the original fundraising goal.
“It didn’t take long after seeing the results of the pedal car auction for the board to meet and reach its decision to increase the amounts,” Jack Neshe, 2013-2014 NAAA president, said. “We were extremely gratified by the support that far exceeded our expectations and felt such generosity required a gesture in the same spirit on our part.”
Starting next year, the program will offer eight $5,000 scholarships for full-time study at four-year institutions and four $3,000 scholarships for study at two-year colleges or vocational-technical schools. The association has previously provided 120 scholarships for students since it established the program in 2004.
In other auction industry news, KAR Auction Services announced this week changes in its IT Shared Services department. Changes include the promotion of Chris Seitz to vice president, a newly created position, while George Shaughnessy, the director of ITSS, assumes responsibility for infrastructure services. The organization also welcomes Ryan Kreag, who assumes the role of director of platform services. Mary Kineatz has been promoted to Shaughnessy’s former position and takes on the role of director of ITSS.
“I’m very excited about these changes,” Gary Watkins, the chief information officer of ITSS, said. “Our new service delivery model streamlines responsibility for all aspects of IT Shared Services while reacting additional leadership positions, supporting career growth and allowing IT Shared Services to scale in size.”
Used- and new-vehicle sales are rising, and the latest survey data from the National Automobile Dealers Association and Ally Financial showed dealers continue to increase their level of giving to charitable causes.
In fact, more than 70 percent of franchised dealers surveyed in September said they increased their charitable giving so far in 2014, up from 65 percent last year.
Survey orchestrators noted that about 43 percent of dealers said they expect to increase their contributions again in 2015, up from 39 percent in 2013.
NADA and Ally Financial mentioned the bulk of this giving is staying in dealer's local communities, as nearly 90 percent of dealers said their contributions go to supporting community service and local organizations. More than 65 percent of dealers surveyed said they organize staff volunteerism opportunities in their community.
“Franchised new-car dealers are among the largest supporters of community-based programs and charitable organizations in most towns across the country,” NADA president Peter Welch said.
“New-car dealers support their local communities in many ways — from creating well-paying jobs, generating significant revenue in taxes to providing other economic benefits,” Welch continued. “It’s difficult to keep track of the level of charitable involvement because so many dealers do not seek publicity or recognition.”
The survey results were part of NADA and Ally's annual Dealer Charitable Survey for 2014. Survey results also showed:
— Nearly 50 percent of dealers gave more than $25,000 to nonprofit organizations and charitable causes in 2013, with 13 percent giving in excess of $100,000.
— Dealers surveyed donated or lent out approximately $4.5 million worth of vehicles for charitable causes.
— More than 97 percent of dealers surveyed said that engaging in community outreach or giving back efforts enhances a dealership's reputation. Nearly 90 percent agreed or strongly agreed that supporting nonprofit organizations has helped to promote and drive awareness of their business within their local community.
Welch added that aside from the countless donations from individual dealers in cities across the U.S., thousands of NADA members are involved with the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation, which supports numerous causes and organizations.
NADA and Ally Financial conducted a random sample survey during September and received about 310 responses from U.S. dealer principals. Survey questions focused on dealer levels of involvement in charitable giving and volunteerism in communities. References to 'dealers surveyed' refers to a percentage of the 310 responding dealers.
“Dealers see the value of giving back in a variety of ways — from their businesses, to their communities and beyond," said Tim Russi, president of auto finance for Ally.
“Auto dealers are leaders in their communities, and their giving often inspires others to make a difference as well, which pays dividends for all,” Russi went on to say.
Larry H. Miller Toyota Murray, the flagship store for the dealer group of the same name, sold the group's 1.5 millionth vehicle recently.
The store, open since May 1, 1979, sold the landmark car — a 2013 Toyota Corolla — to customers Bob and Betty Griffin, who purchased the vehicle for their daughter, Priscilla.
“Our family purchased the store over 35 years ago and celebrating this occasion where our company first began holds special meaning,” Greg Miller, the chief executive officer of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies, said.
The Griffins, in addition to their new vehicle, also received an all-expenses-paid trip to Cancun, Mexico — a gift from Gail Miller, owner of Larry H. Miller Group of Companies; Dean Fitzpatrick, president of Larry H. Miller Dealerships; and Lance Barraclough, general manager of the Larry H. Miller Toyota.
Pedal cars may be primarily for kids, but you wouldn’t have known it at the National Auto Auction Association’s recent Convention and Expo in Boston.
The Black Book Pedal Car Auction garnered some very “adult-sized” donations, raising more than a half-million dollars to benefit the nonprofit NAAA Warren Young, Sr. Scholastic Foundation Inc.
Amazingly, the association’s original goal was $50,000.
There were 14 brightly colored pedal cars to choose from, such as a Jump Truck built by State Line Auto Auction that claimed the title “Best in Show” and touted a winning bid of $102,000.
Per the auction rules, each contestant were tasked with modifying new or pre-owned pedal-powered vehicles, or custom make their own.
Four other pedal-car contestants also came away with special show awards, which were sponsored by NextGear Capital and judged by the NAAA's four chapter presidents.
The four remaining awards went to the following auctions: McConkey Auction Group for the "Most Creative Pedal Car;" Greater Milwaukee Auto Auction for the "Best Custom Pedal Car;" Pittsburgh Auto Auction for the "Best Accessories;" and, Akron Auto Auction for "Most Unusual Paint Job."
The charity programs entry fees, vehicle sales award sponsorships and additional contributions collected a total of $576,300 for the association's annual merit scholarship program.
"I am truly astonished and extremely gratified by the remarkable response to this first-time fundraiser that far exceeded our expectations ten-fold," said outgoing NAAA president Jack Neshe. "I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to all of our auction participants for their generous support."
The pedal-car auction was Neshe’s brain child — he suggested the auction idea a year ago during a visit to NAAA headquarters where he saw a pedal car in the office of chief executive officer Frank Hackett.
"We just thought this offered our members a great way to demonstrate their creativity and craftsmanship in a friendly, fun competition while raising money for our scholastic foundation, which since it began in 2004 has helped 120 deserving students achieve their dreams of higher education," noted Neshe.
All entrants looking to be one of the finalists for the NAAA auction were on display at the CAR conference in March.
The pedal-powered vehicles to be included with Black Book's entry on the auction's run list were chosen by a random drawing held at the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association Convention this past June in Las Vegas.
In run order the auction contestants and their final bids were: Black Book ($49,500); Capital City/Mountain State Auto Auctions ($10,000); ADESA Indianapolis ($8,500); Akron Auto Auction ($14,000): Sanford Auto Dealers Exchange ($25,000): McConkey Auction Group ($45,000): Manheim ($75,000); Dealers Auto Auction of the Southwest ($10,000); State Line Auto Auction ($102,000); Lynnway Auto Auction Inc. ($45,000); Greater Milwaukee Auto Auction ($25,000); Farmington Auto Auction ($15,000); Pittsburgh Auto Auction ($31,000) and Charleston Auto Auction ($26,000).
"The benevolent spirit of all those who took part was just inspiring," remarked Hackett. "It was one of the most entertaining and exciting 45 minutes I've ever experienced as we approached a half-million dollas and people kept making offers to get us over the mark. For example, Black Book and Lynnway both bought their own cars and then donated them back for resale. It was an amazing evening."
And if the auction wasn’t enough, the charity was endowed with many individual gifts, as well, which included $5,000 each from AFC, Auto Auction Solutions and Jay Cadigan; $10,000 a piece from Charleston Auto Auction, Lynnway Auto Auction, Janet Barnard and Auction Insurance Agency; and, a $25,000 contribution from NextGear Capital.
Tom Cross, president of Black Book and the main sponsor of the event, said, "We believe in NAAA's work on behalf of the industry and are big supporters of the Warren Young Scholastic Foundation. We're happy to give back to the remarketing community in this role and thrilled at the event's overwhelming success in raising money for a worthy cause."
Manheim Louisville is hosting a fundraiser this Saturday to support Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The event will include a Classic Car Show and a yard sale.
The day will begin at 8 a.m. with the yard sale, lasting until 3 p.m, featuring donated items from Manheim Louisville employees.
“I am very proud of our employees for stepping up to support the fight against breast cancer,” David Kaflik, Manheim Louisville’s general manager, said. “We are very happy to host the fundraiser, and participate in the upcoming Making Strides Walk in Louisville.”
The car show will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with registration beginning at 9 a.m. Both events are open to the public and free to attend; the fee to showcase a classic car at the event is $15 in advance and $20 if registered same day. Prizes will be awarded for the best in show vehicles as well as first, second and third places for individual makes.
Those interested in registering a vehicle for the show can contact David Saylor at (812) 258-4318.
The latest respective philanthropic efforts by Manheim and Dealer’s Auto Auctions are designed to help some worthy constituencies — military veterans and impoverished youth.
Basketball fans might remember this name from the 1990s: Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway. Dealer’s Auto Auctions kicked off a two-day fundraising campaign with a silent, and not-so-silent auction of some of Hardaway’s NBA memorabilia with proceeds going toward Penny’s FastBreak Courts, an inner-city youth sports training program for youngsters in the Memphis area.
In hopes of providing area children the opportunity to play in a better environment, the former University of Memphis and NBA star announced plans for a 100,000-square-foot facility with a championship court and six additional regulation courts.
Lexus of Memphis hosted the opening fundraising event, and DAA Memphis general manager Phillip Butler brought the hands up to bid top dollar on several items, culminating in a $6,500 winning bid for a Schwinn WHIZZER motor bike.
David Andrews, chief executive officer of City Enterprises, was heard to say “it took a five iron and several auctioneers” to raise more than $100,000 for a good friend’s charitable fund that has been close to his heart for quite some time.
The second day of the campaign is when the five-irons came into play at the Spring Creek Ranch Golf Course, where pros were matched with dealers for a tournament to benefit Hardaway’s project.
“With declining government funds and facilities for youth sports, we knew it would be a challenge for Penny to raise the funds while still trying to keep his program going in the interim,” Andrews said. “This was a cause our entire company could — and did — get their hearts around.”
The $20 million facility would house seven basketball courts, including a 2,000-seat arena, a rehabilitation clinic and classrooms for tutoring. The facility also would be used for volleyball, wrestling, cheerleading and other indoor sports.
Hardaway says it’s a way to give back to the city. Hardaway made a mark early in his NBA career when he teamed with Shaquille O’Neal to lead the Orlando Magic to the league’s championship finals. He also was part of a notable Nike campaign highlighted in commercials like this one.
"I grew up on a dirt basketball court, just trying to play the best way I could," Hardaway said. "Then I was with the Boys Club, which was really my savior, because it allowed me to go and play away from my neighborhood, to have the peace of mind to be able to do the things I wanted to do."
Mark Hopkins, national fleet lease manager for Dealers Auto Auction, added, “We believe in Penny’s vision, and how important he felt it was to build a facility that can house these kids and help direct their life away from the gangs and dangerous influences found in many inner-city communities.”
Special Auction to Benefit Purple Heart Service Foundation
The Purple Heart Service Foundation and Manheim are partnering to offer a special charity classic car sale at Manheim Fredericksburg beginning at 11:30 ET on Oct. 2.
Organizers highlighted these rare and valuable classic cars all were donated to Purple Heart Services to be auctioned off to raise money to help continue this organization’s mission of more than 50 years of providing valuable services and benefits to all veterans.
The dealer-only event will include live bidding from dealers in the lanes and making offers online. This special sale will feature more than 60 classic cars, including a 1928 Ford Model A Coupe, a 1971 Mustang Fastback and a 1951 Daimler Hooper Empress.
The profits from the auction of Purple Heart Cars make it possible for The Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation to provide emotional, physical, educational and financial support for wounded and disabled veterans, to help improve their lives. Programs include suicide prevention, support for veterans with brain injuries, counseling for post-traumatic stress (PTS) and assistance for women’s health issues — all common challenges for veterans,” according to the organization.
The Purple Heart Service Foundation also provides scholarships, family assistance, claims assistance and employment training. Family members can get support, learning how to help disabled veterans to cope with their physical, emotional and behavioral challenges.
For more information, visit www.PurpleHeartFoundation.org.
Manheim Showcases Investments Totaling More Than $100 Million
Along with its latest charity work, Manheim highlighted that it is investing more than $100 million during three years in its North American auctions.
Officials explained the investment, which started last year, includes various facility upgrades and renovations, lane improvements, energy saving projects and a long-term modernization initiative that will significantly improve how employees and customers interact.
To date, Manheim pointed out this initiative has automated how sales are set up at auction, reducing this task from two days to two hours and replacing paper-based vehicle lists with a new mobile tool that creates more efficient routes for auction drivers.
Here are some examples of the company’s largest projects:
• Auction Modernization Initiative: This long-term, multi-million dollar redesign effort will take advantage of new technologies to greatly improve auction processes and enable employees to spend more time interacting with customers. Tapping employees’ auction expertise, including having them help customers navigate more effectively through physical and digital sales, is what customers told Manheim they valued.
• Renovations and facility upgrades at Manheim Chicago, Manheim Denver, Manheim Fort Lauderdale, Manheim Lakeland and Manheim Louisville: New lane upgrades and the addition of a double-block lane set-up were implemented at Manheim Chicago this year. These improvements double the space of each lane, allowing medium to smaller-size cars to run down the lanes together.
Manheim Denver received 11 new auction blocks, while Manheim Louisville underwent significant remodeling that resulted in a larger lobby area that offers customers more space. This location also opened a new digital lounge where dealers can access digital tools such as iPads to buy and sell vehicles. Manheim Fort Lauderdale will receive a larger dealer sales area and new digital lounge by November. A new canopy was installed at the vehicle entry area at Manheim Lakeland, allowing enough space for reports on up to four cars to be written simultaneously under cover from the weather.
• eGate Transportation Enhancements: Working with Ready Auto Transport, Manheim launched a new electronic gate pass process at all auction locations. This enhancement improves vehicle delivery time for buyers at auction. Ready Auto Transport now can electronically deliver eGate passes for all customer vehicles directly to its 6,500-member qualified carrier network, making the pickup of vehicles from the auction faster and more efficient.
• Enhanced Vehicle Imaging Suite: This product, unveiled earlier this year, can offer customers high resolution image quality along with up to 15 vehicle images with “heat map” graphics that can help buyer quickly assess vehicle condition. Each location also offers a dedicated photo staff in an attempt to ensure consistent image quality and standards across all Manheim locations. This suite is now offered at 20 locations in North America.
• Alternative Energy: During the last year, Manheim installed approximately 9,000 solar panels across Manheim Albany, Manheim New Jersey, Manheim New York, Manheim North Carolina and Manheim San Diego. Solar panels are supporting local efforts to reduce energy consumption. At Manheim New Jersey, 4,000 of the total panels complete the final phase of its 7,700 solar panel array. Since 2007, Cox, Manheim and its affiliated foundations have invested millions in sustainability and conservation through operations projects and grants to environmental nonprofits.
“As we celebrate our 70th anniversary next year, it’s an exciting time to recognize the role that auctions have played in the past and the important role they will play in our future,” said Janet Barnard, Manheim North America executive vice president and chief operating officer.
“Our goal is to continue to invest in areas within our auctions that make it easier for customers to do business, while freeing up time for our employees to deliver the type of service our customers have come to expect,” Barnard added.
Ready Auto Transport announced this week its Saturday golf tournament raised $70,000 to aid injured soldiers. As hosts of the fifth annual Freedom Swing Golf Tournament, Ready Auto Transport’s charity funds raised at the event were donated to The Free Wheel Foundation to help injured service members and their families.
Steve Wheeler, Ready Auto Transport’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, was glad his company could give back those that have already given so much of themselves.
“It was great to be surrounded by so many wonderful, patriotic Americans willing to give so much back,” Wheeler said. “This year’s event set an all-time record with all 216 golf spots sold-out raising over $70,000. Without the support of Ready Auto Transport and our industry sponsors and players, we could have never pulled this off.”
Automotive industry sponsors attending the event included Next Gear Capital, SmartAuction, Larry H. Miller, DriveTime and Manheim. Major Devin Smiley of the U.S. Marine Corps was the guest speaker at the tournament’s luncheon, sharing the life stories of soldiers who have experienced injury and tragedy.
“It’s events like the tournament that allow us to grant wishes and change lives,” Wheeler said. “We are thankful for those who joined us to experience first-hand how we are helping improve the quality of life of our soldiers.”
The tournament put Ready Auto Transport well on its way toward its $100,000 goal for its current “Road to Recovery” fundraising campaign for injured service men and women.
