Walker® Exhaust Brand Receives Frost & Sullivan Technicians’ Choice Award
PALO ALTO, Calif.--The Walker® brand of automotive replacement exhaust systems and components has received the 2007 Frost & Sullivan Automotive Technicians’ Choice Award based on research into the buying preferences of U.S. automotive service and repair professionals.
Walker products, manufactured and marketed by Tenneco Inc. , are preferred by nearly two of every five (38 percent) automotive professionals, compared to just 5 percent of surveyed technicians who selected the second most-preferred brand, according to the Frost & Sullivan study, “2007 United States Automotive Technicians’ Choice: Evaluation of Automotive Replacement Parts.”
The Frost & Sullivan study also found that 33 percent of surveyed automotive professionals state intentions to purchase Walker exhaust systems, assemblies, catalytic converters, mufflers and other products for their customers’ vehicles.
“Thus, it appears that brand preferences can translate into future purchases,” the study states. “Moreover, the specific factors that appear to have influenced automotive technicians’ preferences for Walker include product quality, availability, warranty, and brand reputation, among others.”
The Walker brand has been a leading name in automotive and commercial-vehicle exhaust and emission control products for more than 70 years. In recent years Tenneco has aggressively invested to provide industry-leading coverage of high-quality, direct-fit replacement systems, converters and mufflers/assemblies for domestic and import applications. The Walker line of replacement catalytic converters, for example, represents a “one-stop” source for virtually any popular passenger application.
“Tenneco has shown an extraordinary commitment to the development of an all-makes, all-models line of high-quality exhaust products to serve its distributor and service dealer customer base,” said Tonya Fowler, Director of Competitive Benchmarking Services, Frost & Sullivan. “This target group is very important, given that nearly nine out of 10 of those surveyed are purchase decision makers for their businesses.”
In addition to comprehensive automotive replacement exhaust coverage, the Walker brand offers high-quality, innovative exhaust and emission control technologies for most medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
Tenneco is a global leader in the development and manufacture of heavy-duty diesel “aftertreatment” products such as oxidation catalyst systems and diesel particulate filters.
Tenneco also offers an extensive line of automotive performance exhaust products under the respected DynoMax® and Thrush® brands.
The Frost & Sullivan Automotive Technicians’ Choice Award is bestowed each year upon the company that has demonstrated excellence within the exhaust category. The Award recipient has distinguished itself through proactive strategies that lead to industry leadership.
Frost & Sullivan’s Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.
About Tenneco Inc.
Tenneco is a $4.7 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Ill., and approximately 19,000 employees worldwide. Tenneco is one of the world’s largest designers, manufacturers and marketers of emission control and ride control products and systems for the automotive original equipment market and the aftermarket. Tenneco markets its products principally under the Monroe®, Walker®, Gillet™ and Clevite® Elastomer brand names.
Additional information regarding Tenneco Inc. is available at www.tenneco.com. For more information on Walker exhaust products, please visit www.walkerexhaust.com.
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit www.awards.frost.com.