Activant Solutions Names Vice President of Business Development
Mary Beth Loesch has joined Activant Solutions as its new vice president of business development. With more than 20 years experience in both private and public companies, Loesch is charged with driving Activant’s top-line growth through new market expansion and acquisitions. Larry Jones, CEO of Activant, said Loesch will play a key role in one of Activant’s next major goals — growth through acquisition.
China Manufacturers Alliance Changes Name
Less than a year after becoming a separate entity, China Manufacturers Alliance Inc. has changed its name to American Pacific Industries Inc. (API), and will expand its product offering to include tires produced in India and Indonesia.
Johnson Controls Chief’s Pay Tops $4 Million
Johnson Controls top executive made more than $4 million in the company’s last fiscal year, a 40 percent increase for the second straight year, the company said in a filing with securities regulators. The Glendale, Wis.-based company said John Barth, its chairman, chief executive and president, was paid $4.3 million in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, up from $3.06 million in fiscal 2003.
Remy Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Three More Companies
Following the news earlier this week it settled with a Taiwanese company that infringed upon its patents, Remy International has filed another lawsuit against three more companies, alleging U.S. patent law violations related to the company’s proprietary intellectual property associated with alternators. Orange County Alternator located in Mira Loma, Calif., Machinery Components of West Chicago, Ill., and United Starters & Alternators Industries, based in Bay Shore, NY, have been named as co-defendants in a suit filed by Remy on November 17, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division.
Oxford Automotive Files for Bankruptcy
Oxford Automotive on Tuesday, Dec. 7, placed its North American units into Chapter 11 and plans to reorganize around its European operations. A source said Oxford’s bondholders struck a deal with the company under which they would receive much of the stock of the reorganized company.
Northwood Senior Named First Recipient of the Harvey Diedrich Advantage Scholarship
Brian Lesiewicz, a senior studying automotive aftermarket management at Northwood University, has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Harvey Diedrich “Advantage” Scholarship. The Harvey Diedrich “Advantage” Scholarship fund was established in 2003 by friends of the longtime aftermarket executive who created innovative marketing programs for Tenneco Automotive’s Monroe Shocks and Struts and Walker Exhaust product lines. Diedrich died in June 2003.
Automakers Sue California Over Emissions
Automobile manufacturers sued on Tuesday to block the world’s toughest vehicle emissions standards, adopted by California regulators in September to cut greenhouse gases. The manufacturers argue in their lawsuit the standards, which could set a precedent for other states, must by law be the responsibility of the federal government.
E3 Spark Plugs Announces Distribution Agreement With JC Whitney
E3 Spark Plugs announced this week it will begin distributing its patented automotive and small engine spark plug through JC Whitney, a direct marketer of parts and accessories. This distribution agreement is one of the first for E3, a relative newcomer to the marketplace.
Delphi Makes Organizational Changes in Aftermarket Unit
Delphi has announced organizational changes in its Delphi Product & Service Solutions division, the company’s aftermarket and consumer products division. Russell W. H. Bailey, managing director of Delphi Integrated Service Solutions, a business unit of Delphi Product & Service Solutions, is retiring after more than 36 years in the industry. Mark Theriot, currently director of global service technologies, will succeed Bailey in this role, in addition to maintaining his current responsibilities. Under the new organizational structure, Theriot will have full global responsibility for executing Delphi’s service strategy and vision.
GSC MotorSports Adds Three New Brands to Inventory Lineup
GSC Motorsports, an East Coast distributor of aftermarket tuning parts and accessories, has added three new product lines to its inventory: Vibrant Performance, Injen and OmniPower.
Magna Subsidiary Decoma to Close Toronto-Area Plant, Post $36 Million in Charges
Decoma International, a subsidiary of auto parts giant Magna International, is shutting down its anodizing plant just north of Toronto and posting $36 million in special charges for that move and restructuring in Europe. Decoma did not immediately disclose job cut numbers in a release Monday. Separately, Magna International said it expects the charges to reduce its own diluted earnings per share by about 22 cents in the fourth quarter.
CARSTAR Announces Executive Promotions
CARSTAR, one of North America’s largest collision repair organizations, has promoted three of its executives. Daren Fristoe, most recently senior vice president, has been promoted to the position of chief administrative officer for CARSTAR. Fristoe will continue to provide the company with corporate leadership, specifically focusing on the areas of human resources, training and education, franchise communication and services, corporate marketing and community initiatives. Fristoe joined the CARSTAR organization in May of 2002 after serving as vice president of human resources at eScout, LLC.