Bedliners can be sprayed on, rolled on or dropped in, all for a custom fit, all to protect a truck bed and, oftentimes, to better protect and help stabilize items placed on the bed.

Spray-type systems can offer such versatility (depending on the type) as custom colors or applying the compound to other vehicles or even vehicle areas, or to other surfaces such as trailers, marine craft, boat ramps, swimming pool walkways, even animal enclosures or shed roofs.

We know where we’ve been and where we are, but what’s the business forecast?

"Forecasting is very difficult, especially if it's about the future." So said Edgar R. Fiedler, economist and adviser to Presidents Nixon and Ford.

Robert Bosch GmbH, Deutz AG and Eberspaecher GmbH & Co. KG, all of Germany, announced Dec. 9 that they have signed an agreement to set up a joint venture to offer complete diesel exhaust after-treatment system solutions for commercial vehicles as well as construction and agricultural machinery.

The objective of the joint venture, called Bosch Emission Systems GmbH & Co. KG, is to use the core exhaust after-treatment competencies of the three companies involved on the basis of a modular principle. The agreement is subject to the approval of the antitrust authorities.

For restylers looking to break into the reconditioning business, wheel repair has a lot of attractive qualities to get things rolling. Techs can learn the necessary skills quickly. There’s also little competition, and a huge potential market to tap.

Wheel repair, which has grown in popularity in the last five years, is the newest [and very likely the last] major service to be introduced in the auto reconditioning market, according to sources in the industry.