Collins & Aikman Plastics Ltd. Fined $80,000 for Health and Safety Violation
Collins & Aikman Plastics Ltd., a Scarborough, Ont.-based company that manufactures plastic components for the automotive industry, was fined $80,000 on Oct. 4, for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that resulted in serious foot injuries to an employee.
ARI Names New Director of Materials Management
Dan Lewis has been named the new director of materials management for ARI, a manufacturer, remanufacturer and distributor of undercar repair parts. Lewis brings to ARI 32 years of experience in supply chain management, international procurement, product management, supplier partnerships, strategic/financial planning, MRP/DRP systems and product pricing. His previous employment includes time at Coni-Seal and Beck/Arnley.
Alcoa Opens New Automotive Center in Detroit; Launches New Automotive Web Site
Alcoa has formally opened its new automotive center in Farmington Hills, Mich. More than 300 design, engineering, sales and marketing specialists began moving into the new 86,000-square-foot office building earlier this year. The new facility joins Alcoa’s North American automotive businesses into a single location and consolidates Alcoa offices located in Southfield, Livonia and Allen Park, Mich.
Lund International’s Accessories Division receives ISO 9001 Certification
Lund International’s Lund Accessories Division recently received ISO 9001 certification.
Overseas Automotive Council Selects Three New Board Members
Three new members have been elected to the Overseas Automotive Council (OAC) Board of Directors for three-year terms of office. OAC is the international aftermarket division of MEMA. The council promotes the sale in foreign markets of automotive products manufactured in North America.
Pat Young Service Co. Parts Professional Named 2004 Counterman Magazine Counterperson of the Year
For residents of the Northeastern Ohio area, Randy Lipscomb is known simply as “Handy Randy,” the affable and knowledgeable host of local auto care television show, Handy Randy’s Car Care. But recently, he added another name: Counterperson of the Year. After a six month national search, the Barberton, Ohio, parts professional was yesterday named the 2004 Counterman Magazine “Counterperson of the Year.” The award was created in 1986 to recognize those who excel in the demanding parts distribution profession.
Eastern Manufacturing Opens New Headquarters and Manufacturing Facility
Eastern Manufacturing Inc., a manufacturer of catalytic converters and related components, has established a new 115,000-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing facility in Langhorne, Pa. Combined with its nearby R&D facilities, Eastern’s site now encompasses more than 150,000-square-feet of space for administrative, manufacturing, warehousing and R&D.
Ken Kee to Represent AWDA Manufacturers Council on AASA Board
Ken Kee, vice president of sales, Dayco Products Inc./Mark IV Automotive, has been selected to represent the Manufacturers Advisory Council (MAC) of the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) on the Board of Governors of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). AASA is the aftermarket market segment association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA).
Brake Parts Inc. Changes Friction Layout in its New Raybestos Brand Brakes Catalog
Brake Parts Inc. has made changes to the friction layout of its new Raybestos brand brake catalog, in an effort to provide more application-specific information, enabling Raybestos customers to sell more parts.
NASTF to Hold Next Meeting Nov. 3 in Las Vegas
The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 3, in conjunction with the Automotive Service Association’s Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) and Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week in Las Vegas. The meeting will be held in the Laughlin Room of the Flamingo Las Vegas from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Ray Fisher Named VP of ASA-Michigan
Automotive service industry veteran Ray Fisher has been named vice president of the Automotive Service Association (ASA) of Michigan. Fisher has more than 27 years experience in the automotive service industry, including seven years in parts sales and management, and 20 years in the collision repair industry — 18 of those years as a body shop manager.
ZF Completes Expansion of Lapeer, Mich., Facility
Yesterday, global automotive supplier ZF officially opened the 85,000 square-foot expansion of its Lapeer, Mich., facility. ZF has owned the facility since 1999. With the expansion, the plant, which will provide suspension components for domestic automakers, now totals 160,000-square-feet. The company said it expects to create 75 to 100 new jobs with the expansion.