Federated Counterman Named Counterperson of the Year
Federated Auto Parts Store employee Randy Lipscomb has been named Counterman magazine’s 2004 Counterperson of the Year. The announcement was made by Counterman Editor Brian Cruickshank. Lipscomb is employed by Pat Young Service Co., a Cleveland, Ohio-area Federated Warehouse Distributor. “We are thrilled that one of our counter people won this prestigious award,” said Mike Schultz, executive vice president of Federated Auto Parts.
Collaborative Effort Results in First XML Industry Standard for Vendor Managed Inventory
DST and EDM, both solutions providers for the automotive and heavy duty parts industries, have jointly announced the successful integration of EDM’s Datalliance, the company’s Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) service, with DST’s DSTWare business and warehouse management systems platforms. Utilizing XML transaction support in Datalliance, this project creates the first VMI industry standard. As a result, VMI capabilities are now available to all DST customers, as well as to other organizations utilizing XML to exchange data via the Internet.
Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. Announces Record Second Quarter Results
Monro Muffler Brake has announced record financial results for the second quarter, which ended on Sept. 25. Second quarter sales increased 19.3 percent to $88.4 million from $74.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2004. The sales increase was driven, in part, by a 6 percent improvement in comparable store sales, following a 6.6 percent increase in the same quarter of last year.
Intermet to Close Machining Plant
Intermet Corp. announced today that it intends to close its Columbus Machining Plant in Midland, Ga., during the first quarter of 2005. The company said the closure is necessary to rationalize excess production capacity and reduce costs. The facility currently employs 86 people, including hourly and salaried staff, and machines ductile-iron and light-metal castings for the automotive industry. Intermet expects total sales of about $12.0 million from the Columbus Machining Plant in 2004.
Pronto Names Delphi OE Supplier of the Year
The National Pronto Association has named Delphi Corp. its 2004 Supplier of the Year for Original Equipment (OE) Products. Delphi has earned this recognition for the second consecutive year.
MISG Announces Major TRANSNET Initiative
MISG/TRANSNET has been the aftermarket’s premiere method for transmitting electronic purchase orders for almost 30 years. The system enables distributors and retailers to create paperless purchase orders and deliver them to aftermarket manufacturers. When warehouse distributors and retailers send Transnet orders directly to suppliers’ computer systems, errors and order-processing delays are essentially eliminated, resulting in more accurate and timely shipments and improved supply chain relations.
AASA/MEMA Executive Reception Venue Changed: Record Crowd Expected
A record crowd is expected for the AASA/MEMA Executive Reception scheduled to take place on Monday, Nov. 1 during AAPEX in Las Vegas. The head count is so big that the venue at The Mirage has been changed to Grand Ballroom F to accommodate attendees to this event on the eve of the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX). This event offers a chance to network with aftermarket industry executives and kicks off MEMA’s grand finale festivities marking its 100th anniversary.
Collins & Aikman Announces Executive Appointments
Collins & Aikman Corp. has announced a number of executive assignments and appointments. Bryce Koth has been appointed to the position of CFO, effective immediately. Koth was the company’s vice president-finance and controller and head of tax. Prior to coming to Collins & Aikman in 2002, Koth had held senior finance positions at Visteon and Ford Motor Co., and had worked at Deloitte and Touche.
Siemens VDO Automotive Opens Detroit-Area Fuel Testing Facility
Siemens VDO Automotive’s Powertrain Fuel Supply Systems (FS) division held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate its new 5,000-square-foot fuel validation test center in Auburn Hills, Mich.
Modine Common Stock Begins Trading Today on The New York Stock Exchange
The common stock of Modine Manufacturing Co. begins trading today on The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the new ticker symbol “MOD.” The company announced on September 28 that it would list its common stock on the NYSE after trading on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “MODI” since 1984.
Stolen Bumpers Found at Venture
Law-enforcement officials last week broke up a long-running, stolen-auto-parts ring at a Michigan plant owned by bankrupt auto supplier Venture Corp.
Lund International, Nifty Brand Receive ISO/TS 16949:2002 Certification
Lund International Inc. and its Nifty products division, have received the ISO/TS 16949:2002 certification. This new global, Automotive Industry Quality Standard significantly raises the bar for suppliers in the industry. It is required for direct suppliers by the end of 2006. Nifty, as well as Lund International’s Ventshade and Autotron divisions, are among the few who have attained it prior to the 2006 deadline.