John Battaglia’s automotive roots run deep. When he was a child, his parents owned and operated an auto parts distribution business in Baltimore. Decades later, his work at Tilley Distribution brought him full circle. John’s deep experience makes him an asset at Tilley but, just as importantly, to our customers. At the end of the day, his skillset and dedication keep operations running smoothly.
After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Business/Corporate Communications from Salisbury and an MBA from the University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business, John spent two decades with manufacturing titan Honeywell International working in friction materials, antifreeze, and controls business. He brought that deep experience to marketing and manufacturing operations at Bendix and Prestone before returning to a leadership position at Honeywell brands. Having spent time on the product and distribution sides of the business, John has a unique perspective on the lubricants market at a critical time.
Automotive Maintenance Changes Everything
How – and how often – consumers address vehicle maintenance is changing. “Consumers are seeing big changes in frequency of vehicle maintenance vs how they did it in the past. As maintenance intervals expand and the importance of specifications increase, customers are having difficulty keeping up,“ he explains.
Lubricant products are changing, too. “The next few years will see a continued shift in the types of lubricants. Products have become more efficient and will last longer, helping to decrease environmental impact.”
Both changes present challenges with a shared solution: education. Educating both consumers and technicians will reduce the inherent friction when finding the proper solutions for their needs, especially as vehicles and equipment become more expensive and drivers go longer between service appointments.
Starting on a High Note with ExxonMobil
John hit the ground running with Tilley, coordinating the ExxonMobil Circle of Excellence project with representatives from ExxonMobil and Tilley team members. The campaign included a lot of collaboration and quick decision-making, including Tilley’s partnership with the US Naval Academy in fall 2024. The project reflected Tilley’s commitment to strong relationships that lead to shared long-term success.
Tilley Distribution Is Ready for the Road Ahead
Tilley relies on the dedication and expertise of people like John at every level of the company. As your distribution partner, we strive to be a crucial part of operations, bringing international resources and personal connections to everything we do. See how Tilley can support your success; contact a representative today.
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