RESILIENCE AND EVOLUTION IN A FAST-CHANGING INDUSTRY

(Article published in L’AUTOMOBILE Mechanics magazine, April 2024)

By Isabelle Havasy

Dominic Baribeau, Regional Vice President of NAPA Québec, highlights the resilience and evolution of the automotive repair sector, and the adaptations that will be necessary to meet the challenges ahead.

Despite the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, Baribeau explains that the sector has come through it well. The average age of vehicles has jumped from 9 to almost 12 years, fuelling continued demand for maintenance and repair services. Nevertheless, he points out that the market began to slow down in mid-2023. Inflation, rising interest rates and a slight increase in the unemployment rate led people to prioritize other, more essential expenses, and to rethink their commutes. The latter had already declined with the advent of remote working and, subsequently, with the integration of a hybrid work mode adopted by many companies.

Renewal and Innovation

“To get our employees back to work, we need to be flexible as an employer,” says Baribeau. To achieve this, a change in mentality was essential. Rethinking the ways of doing things in an industry “anchored in its old paradigms” facilitated the emergence of new ideas and ways of working. This wind of renewal and innovation that has swept through the sector underscores the importance of diversity.

The arrival of women, who are “positively disrupting” the established order, “contributes to broadening our horizons,” emphasizes Baribeau. “We’re lucky to have women who own mechanical workshops. They bring another vision, another perspective. Their innovative ideas help us move forward as a company, and benefit the industry as a whole.” Featured at conferences, forums and conventions, they share their realities, as well as the challenges they face and the opportunities that enable them to grow. Although more women are joining the automotive industry, “we want to accelerate this diversity within the network. It’s our duty as an industry to broaden recruitment possibilities across the workforce.”

For a Thriving Future

To secure the long-term future of its network, NAPA will pursue its efforts to accompany, support and work hand in hand with its business partners. In order to put its expertise and leadership to good use, the brand provides them with numerous tools to ensure their enterprise flourishes. “Through our training programs, we develop a skilled workforce ready to meet the new challenges arising from technological developments,” explains Baribeau. One example is NexDrive, a program focused on electric vehicles (EVs). Set up two years ago, it encompasses various aspects, including purchasing, and is aimed at parts stores as well as workshops.

With the environment at the heart of its concerns, NAPA is constantly innovating. The progressive electrification of its fleet of delivery vehicles, the installation of charging stations in 69 of its stores, and new buildings that optimize insulation and lighting to minimize CO2 emissions are all initiatives that contribute to reducing its ecological footprint. And shortly, the team will be moving into its new Montréal campus, a certified carbon-neutral facility.