The top story this week in our look back at the week’s most-viewed news items comes from O’Reilly Automotive, which has reported that longtime COO and Co-President Ted Wise will transition to a new role after 42 years with the Springfield, Mo.-based company. Effective Jan. 1, 2013, Wise will continue his employment with the company as executive vice president of expansion. At that same time, Jeff Shaw, senior vice president of store operations and sales, will be promoted to the position of executive vice president of store operations and sales.
In other top news this week, a number of suppliers reported the recognition they received during the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance annual winter shareholders meeting. Among them, Standard Motor Products was presented with two prestigious awards. SMP was named the 2012 Vendor Channel Partner of the Year, in addition to being recognized for its outstanding fill rate performance.
Also in the supplier segment this week, Johnson Controls withdrew its bid for electric vehicle battery maker A123 Systems, paving the way for Wanxiang to scoop up the business with a bid of $257 million.
In other acquisition news, MAT Holdings, a global manufacturer and distributor of products in the automotive, hardware and power equipment sectors, has acquired Gabriel (Ride Control LLC). Ride Control had been a portfolio company of OpenGate Capital LLC, a private investment and acquisition firm headquartered in Los Angeles, since June of 2009.
And last amongst our most popular news items this week were our four special newsletters presented as part of our ninth annual AMN Year in Review series. In case you missed it, below are links to the four special Year in Review newsletters.
The Top 10 Executive Interviews Of 2012
The Top 10 Distribution Stories Of 2012
The Top 10 Manufacturing Stories Of 2012
The Top 10 Personnel Stories Of 2012
