UPT IME
Continued evolution
The progression of the Fleet Maintenance brand
is refl ected in the launch of our new logo.
When you’re preparing for change, you
oft en refl ect on the past - both to see how
far you’ve come, and to help point you in
the right direction going forward.
Did you know, back in 1997, Fleet
Maintenance began as a product-only
magazine? While content featured in Fleet
Maintenance has always focused on providing
helpful and useful information for the
maintenance manager, it hasn’t always had
the same format.
In fact, we’ve gone through a number of
changes over the years.
Th e aim of the publication has remained
the same: to share insights and best practices
to help you manage maintenance operations
eff ectively and effi ciently.
But, just like products, processes and
technology have evolved over the years, so
must we.
Since our start, we’ve had three diff erent
names, a variety of diff erent designs and
most recognizably, four previous logos. You
may remember, we completed our latest
redesign of Fleet Maintenance in February
2017. But, our most recent logo has been in
place since the mid-2000s. Now, I’m excited
to share with you for the fi rst time, the
brand-new Fleet Maintenance logo.
A comparison to the past
While paging through an archived Fleet
Maintenance 2003 Product Showcase from
December 2002, I noticed a number of diff erences
compared to the issue you’re holding
today. More specifi cally, the size, the content
and the design are all markedly diff erent.
At 48 pages, the 2002 issue doesn’t hold
weight to the 96 pages of products you’ll
fi nd in this issue. Not to mention, the physical
footprint of the magazine. Th at recognizable
FM_Editor
6 Fleet Maintenance | September 2018
tabloid size you’ve come to expect
in your mailbox each month hasn’t always
been around. But, it’s now a distinguishing
characteristic that sets us apart as the
“maintenance magazine.”
When it comes to the actual products
featured in each showcase issue, the issue
printed almost 16 years ago has some relatively
dated stock compared to today’s
options. Heck, we even used to have a reader
service card (remember those?) to mail in
for inquiries on products. Th e most notable
category to advance by far is “Computers,
Soft ware & Diagnostics.” Th e 2003 Product
Showcase featured a number of soft ware
programs downloadable by compact disc.
Th ere are no fl at screen computers, tablets
or touchscreens to speak of. Most diagnostic
tools were rudimentary, providing
“pass/fail” and general code information,
requiring the technician to look up more
information elsewhere.
When comparing design from 2002 and
today, the most recognizable was the front
cover. Th anks to our award-winning graphic
designer, Erin Brown, we’ve come a long way
since the dated fonts and retro/space-aged/
fl uorescent designs of yesteryear.
Why did we opt to share this new logo
in the September issue? Because this issue
is already distinguished by the all-product
format we began with more than two
decades ago. And, because this issue will
make its way to a number of trade shows
throughout 2019.
A logo represents our magazine, and our
brand. It’s sleek. It’s modern. It tells you
what we do. As with all change, feedback
is always appreciated. Not only with the
design, but with the content we provide
in every issue. I always welcome your
comments and suggestions.
By Erica
Schueller
Editor-in-chief
IT’S BACK
FIND OUT
WHAT PRIZES
YOU CAN WIN
ON PAGES 42-43.
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The Fleet Maintenance logo, 1997-2018
1997
2018
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