Auto Recycling eNewsletter

For immediate release - July 2004

Written and published by Ron Sturgeon, autosalvageconsultant.com, email to email Ron Sturgeon

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

LKQ Stock & Quarterly Report

NEW YORK, July 6 (New Ratings) – Analysts at Robert W Baird upgrade LKQ Corp from “neutral” to “outperform.” The target price is set to $24.00. According to recent analysts’ reports, LKQ’s recent acquisition, GTA, is poised to benefit from State Farm’s reversal of its policy on generic parts. Liquidity concerns would also be eased now that LKQ has been added to the Russell 3,000 index, the analysts’ state. The stock has traded in the $18.25 to $19.00 range for the last month or so.

National Insurance Crime Bureau Reports that Fewer Stolen Autos are Being Recovered

Approximately 1.2 million vehicles are stolen each year, valued at $8.2 billion, and approximately 200,000 are exported out of the country, according to the recently issued NICB report. NICB attributes the lower recovery rates to growth in well-organized professional theft rings that export the vehicles or direct them to chop shops for their parts.

LKQ Parts Usage Stable

According to Mitchell Industry Trends, LKQ parts make up about 12% of the parts used per appraisal, which has been essentially the same for the last 36 months. There is clearly an opportunity to grow this market segment.

ARA Convention in Memphis

I will be the keynote speaker at the ARA convention October 7th-9th, 2004, in Memphis. I will look forward to seeing many of my old friends at the convention. ARA needs our support, and we need ARA, so I hope you will attend this event. Call 703-385-1001 for information on this fantastic and educational event.

Tid Bits-No Enewsletter in August – Australian Recycler Convention

Due to vacations and busy schedules, there will be no Enewsletter in August, but watch for our monthly stories in Recyclers Power Source and other industry leading publications. I will be speaking at Australian Recycler Conference, October 15th-17th, 2004, and for Parts Plus, a large chain of Australian Recyclers on the trip there as well.

How’s Business?

“You may have a fresh start any moment you choose,
for this thing that we call 'failure is not the falling down, but the staying down." - Mary Pickford

Do you sometimes feel like you just can’t get ahead? Just not enough money to buy cars? Bad employees? No one can change your business but you. I call it the grind syndrome. You come in, turn the key, turn on the coffee maker, turn on the computer, start answering the phones, sell parts (or manage the store), solve a few problems, turn off the computer, turn off the coffee maker, and lock the door as you leave. If you keep doing what you’ve been doing, you will keep getting. It really is that simple. If you want to make a change, vow to do just that. What are you going to do different? Stop putting up with weak employees? Buy more cars, or spend more time analyzing the cars before you buy them? Again, only you can do it, no one can do it for you. If even one of my readers goes and makes some big changes, this article was well timed. Send me your success story!

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AutoSalvageConsultant.com was formed in 2001 to help recyclers improve their businesses. With over 50 years of experience in 3 staff members, the group is THE definitive source for recyclers’ management and training needs. Mike Gibson and Tammy Sturgeon joined the team in 2003, and bring a wealth of experience to the team, plus more resources, as there have been more requests for help than Ron could meet. 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 2002, his book “Salvaging Millions” was published to help small business owners achieve significant success, and was recently reprinted. In June 2003, he joined the new ownership and management team of GreenLeaf. He also manages his real estate holdings and investments. You can learn more about how to help your business at www.autosalvageconsultant.com. He can be reached at 5940 Eden, Haltom City, TX 76117, (preferably) email Ron Sturgeon or 817-834-3625 ext 6#. Mike can be reached at 1409 Carson, Haltom City, TX 76117, (preferably) email Mike Gibson, or 817-872-1491.