If you are like most professionals in the automotive aftermarket this week, you’re playing a serious game of catch-up after attending AAPEX and SEMA in Las Vegas last week. Let AMN help bring you up to speed with our top five most-read news items on AMN this week.
Topping the list of most-read articles on AMN this week was our exclusive Executive Interview with Mike Broderick, CEO of Federal-Mogul’s newly established Aftermarket Division. In the interview, Broderick gives us a progress report on the transition to a separate Aftermarket Division and the benefit it has for both the company and its customers.
Federal-Mogul made it into our top five list a second time this week with the announcement that it will become the exclusive global independent aftermarket distributor of BERU ignition products as a result of its Oct. 1 acquisition of the BERU spark plug business. Federal-Mogul also will become the exclusive licensee of the BERU brand name for the sale of ignition products in the aftermarket. The transaction is pending customary closing conditions including approval of competition authorities.
In other top news this week, Advance Auto Parts announced its financial results for the third fiscal quarter ended Oct. 6. Third quarter earnings per diluted share (EPS) were $1.21, a 14.2 percent decrease versus the third quarter last year. Year-to-date EPS was $4.34, an increase of 3.6 percent over the same period last year. Total sales for the third quarter decreased 0.5 percent to nearly $1.46 billion, as compared with total sales during the third quarter of fiscal 2011.
We mentioned the AAPEX Show earlier, at which a number of individuals were recognized by various industry organizations. Among them, The Timken Co. announced the recipients of its Automotive Aftermarket 2012 Manufacturers’ Representative Awards. Timken recognized Connolly Sales & Marketing with its 2012 Manufacturers’ Representative Agency of the Year Award. It also recognized individuals who have made it to the company’s Million Dollar Sales Club. To see the list, click here.
In addition, Northwood University honored nine automotive aftermarket leaders with its annual Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award during AAPEX in Las Vegas. This year’s honorees include:
- William R. Burns, CEO, HDA Truck Pride, St. Louis, Mo.;
- Robert B. Cushing, president and CEO, WORLDPAC, Newark, Calif.;
- Chris H. Gardner, vice president, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association, Research Triangle Park, N.C.;
- Steven D. Gibson, program coordinator, K & N Engineering, Riverside, Calif.;
- Tony Molla, vice president of communications, National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, Leesburg, Va.;
- Ray A. Pohlman, vice president, government and community relations, customer satisfaction, AutoZone, Memphis, Tenn.;
- Jimmy C. Quinten, president, Automotive Parts & Services Association, Austin, Texas;
- Greg W. Smith, publisher, Bobit Business Media, Uniontown, Ohio; and
- Walter W. Spence, Jr., president, Tri-States Automotive Warehouse, Inc., Marianna, Fla.
