LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Independent Service Garages can now get the Meritor seal of approval.

At the 2015 Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week earlier today, Meritor announced that it will launch a network of Meritor-approved repairs shops, called Meritor Service Points, with Independent Service Garages (ISGs) across the US and Canada.

“What Meritor Service Points is, is a way for us to connect and have an affinity for the Meritor brand,” said Terry Livingston, general manager, category management, aftermarket at Meritor. “The way in which this would work is, we get recommendations form our current distribution of those folks who have ISGs as part of their network.” 

From there, the companies will be vetted to make sure they meet the quality and standards set by Meritor. If approved, the garage will become a Service Point. Those approved ISGs will carry Meritor signage and will promote all of the company’s brands like its AllFit and Green series. The garages will also get product training and extensive technician training to ensure greater brand awareness.

“Fleets taking their vehicles to a garage approved for the Meritor Service Point program will benefit from Meritor parts that are engineered for quality and installed by technicians trained with Meritor’s deep product knowledge,” said Livingston. “ISGs will continue buying Meritor products directly from our distributers, who will benefit from greater revenue growth opportunities.”

The company says this program came about after extensive research ad well as surveying several ISG managers.

“ISGs account for a significant portion of Meritor parts sales, and this program will help them find parts more easily so their Meritor-trained technicians can install products on customers’ trucks with greater knowledge and efficiency,” said Marty Hetherington, manager, brand and marketing, aftermarket. “These Meritor-approved ISGs will be more visible to fleets and drivers who know and respect our brand. They will remain independent and the selling relationships with Meritor’s distributer partners will not change.”

Beta tests of the program were done in Europe and according to Meritor, the results were very positive.

“This can be a great program,” added Livingston. “I want to do this to raise the level of technicians in the field, plus I want to sell my products. And I believe that by having this branding and by having us behind this…that we will be successful. We believe this is something that is unique in our industry.”

To qualify for the program, ISGs must have tools and equipment for Meritor-approved services and technicians must train with Meritor. They also must buy Meritor components from approved distribution partners.