AIA Honors Industry Award Winners
The Auto International Association (AIA) presented its 2004 Industry Awards in Las Vegas last Tuesday during AAPEX. Mike Brown, president of Olympus Imported Auto Parts Corp., and vice-chairman of AIA, announced the winners and made the award presentations. Now in its 16th year, the awards program recognizes manufacturers and marketers for excellence in developing high-quality products and innovative marketing programs for import cars or trucks – ranging from products that enhance performance, appearance or convenience, to the cataloging, merchandising and advertising that create awareness and fuel demand.
Chinese Automakers Urged Not to Copy Western Automotive Consumer Culture
Despite growing demand, Chinese automakers should be careful to promote the automotive industry and develop a related culture and not simply clone American or European automotive consumer cultural models, said an expert. Liu Gang, a doctor of scientific and technological philosophy at Northeast China University based in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning Province, said the automotive consumer cultural concepts now prevailing in the U.S. and Europe are characterized by stimulated consumption or forced waste at the automobile buyers’ expense.
Littelfuse Names Gordon Hunter Chairman, President and CEO
Littelfuse, a provider of circuit protection products, has announced that Gordon Hunter will take on the position of chairman, president and CEO, effective January 1, 2005. Hunter will succeed Howard Witt, who plans to retire on December 31. Witt, who has served Littelfuse for 25 years, will continue as a director as well as a consultant to the company.
Timken Third Quarter Sales Up 17 Percent From Prior Year
Timken has announced sales of $1.1 billion for the third quarter of 2004, up 17 percent compared with the prior year. Earnings in the third quarter were 19 cents per diluted share, compared with a loss of 1 cent a year ago. Excluding special items, adjusted earnings per diluted share were 27 cents, compared to 4 cents last year. The company said this was consistent with prior company estimates of 25 cents to 30 cents per diluted share, excluding special items. These special items, which related primarily to the Torrington integration, included $11 million of pretax expense in the third quarter of 2004, compared to $8 million of pretax expense a year ago.
New Release of PIES With CARQUEST and HDx Extensions Announced
An important new release was recently distributed for the Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES) that includes industry requested extensions and an “express” format for product data exchange, according to AAIA. PIES 4.2 includes extensions of the standard specifically requested by the Heavy Duty eXchange (HDx) and CARQUEST to meet the data exchange requirements of these industry groups. By working closely with aftermarket groups and responding to their needs, AAIA helps ensure that the PIES specification remains an industry standard.
Johnson Controls Gives Two Key Leaders New Roles Within its Automotive Business
Johnson Controls has appointed two top executives to new leadership positions within its automotive group, which is one of the world’s largest supplier of automotive interiors and batteries. Byron Foster has been appointed group vice president and general manager, customer business units — North America. Carolyn Woznicki has been appointed vice president of purchasing — North America.
AAPEX Show Success; New Attendance Record Set for Second Consecutive Year
Record attendance was reported for this year’s Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), which took place last week. AAIW, comprised of the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) and the SEMA Show, reported that approximately 120,000 people attended the shows this year. The total shatters last year’s record number of nearly 105,000 people. Buyer attendance was especially strong as more than 55,000 buyers attended – breaking last year’s total by nearly 5,000.
SEMA Names 2004 Person of the Year
SEMA has honored Jim Cozzie, vice president, sales, B&M Racing and Performance Products, with the SEMA Person of the Year Award for 2004. The award was presented by Steve Bolio, SEMA Person of the Year for 2003, at SEMA’s Industry Awards Banquet Thursday, Nov. 4, during this year’s SEMA Show.
Kathleen Schmatz Named Aftermarket Woman of the Year
The Car Care Council Women’s Board has named Kathleen Schmatz as the very first “Aftermarket Woman of the Year.” The announcement was made during the 2004 Women’s Board reception, which took place on Tuesday, Nov. 2, during AAPEX in Las Vegas.
SPX Contech Awarded $125 Million of New Business
SPX Corp.’s Contech business has received two new programs from a major Tier One automotive supplier. Contech is a manufacturer of aluminum and magnesium close tolerance, complex die-cast components. The company said this new business will generate revenue of approximately $125 million over five years after both programs are launched.
Goodyear’s Dunlop Brand Releases Three New High-End Tires
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is looking for big things from its storied Dunlop brand in the near future, and gave the nameplate a major boost with the launch of three new high end tires just before the opening of the 2004 SEMA Show. Revealed at a special launch program at the Las Vegas Speedway were the Dunlop Direzza DZ101 for the sport compact market segment, the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx for the luxury UHP segment, and the Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 for the high-end luxury SUV segment.
Cooper Tire Sale Halted Until Case Heard
A federal judge in Indiana has halted Cooper Tire and Rubber Co.’s $1.2 billion sale of its automotive parts business until an arbitrator hears issues raised in a lawsuit filed by a union.