Two tire industry veterans who see an industry need for automotive-specific consulting services have combined their business experience to launch AutoTech Consulting Group in Williamsburg.
Jim Bundick and Brian Sexton, whose resumes include management posts with several mass merchandisers, said their primary customer base would include tire and service retailers, distributors, marketing groups and manufacturers in the U.S. market.
AutoTech provides consulting services for business development and sales, merchandising, strategy and organization, operations management, training and growth initiatives.
The firm offers a menu of services. ``For some organizations we can do a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis and look at each segment of the business,'' Mr. Sexton said. ``We can tailor a plan on what to do,'' whether it's for an entire enterprise or to address one issue.
``The level of customer service (in the industry) has taken a large step backwards,'' he added, noting an area many companies need assistance with is business development, including outside sales, telephone call centers and direct marketing.
AutoTech has an advantage over larger consulting firms that don't have experience in the automotive industry, Mr. Sexton said. ``We need zero time to learn the trade. That gives us a real leg up.''
Although the firm is open to working in other industries, ``we believe there is so much work out there in the (automotive) landscape,'' he said.
Mr. Sexton was a former CEO of National Tire Warehouse Inc., vice president of automotive stores for Sears, Roebuck & Co. Inc. and division president of CarMax Inc. before becoming an independent consultant.
Mr. Bundick was involved in merchandising, serving in executive posts with Pep Boys-Manny, Moe & Jack, Tire Kingdom Inc., Sears, Tire America and Western Auto Supply Co., before breaking out on his own as a consultant.