SEMA’s First East Coast International Auto Salon Deemed a Success
According to show organizers, the premiere of the Specialty Equipment Market Association’s (SEMA) East Coast International Auto Salon (IAS) proved what industry insiders have long suspected: interest in the sport compact performance segment is booming in the country’s eastern region.
Lanny Barnes Named 2004 Engine Builder Showdown Champ
A single cross-threaded oil pan nut stood between Lanny Barnes and the Clevite Engine Builder Showdown record build time. Despite the minor oversight, Barnes and his Richard Childress Racing partner, Todd Hamm, defeated Mike Maiwald and Shane Parsnow of Hendrick Motorsports in a closely matched race to capture the 2004 Clevite Engine Builder Showdown championship.
TI Automotive Opens Plant in Turkey
TI Automotive, a supplier of fluid storage and delivery systems for cars and trucks, has opened a manufacturing plant in Turkey.
Steel Prices Rise Again
The price of steel in the U.S. is rising again, six months after the Bush administration lifted tariffs that had been intended to protect the American steel industry from cheaper foreign imports.
Bendix to Add More Than 30 New Jobs at Ohio Headquarters
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, said it will add more than 30 engineers, information technology specialists and supply chain professionals to support its staff. The company said surging demand for its medium- and heavy-duty truck products has resulted in the need for additional staff. Bendix currently employs 1,800 in North America, including 450 at its Elyria, Ohio, headquarters.
Pep Boys to Supply Independent Tire Dealers Group
Pep Boys has formed a supply arrangement with the Independent Tire Dealers Group (ITDG) to supply aftermarket hard parts, shop equipment and tires to the group’s 260 members. Pep Boys will supply the Independent Tire Dealers Group through its auto parts delivery business known as Pep Express Parts (PEP).
ArvinMeritor Establishes Reman Facility in Plainfield, Ind.
ArvinMeritor Inc. Commercial Vehicle Aftermarket (CVA) group has established new remanufacturing processes at its U.S. remanufacturing facility to create heavy-duty reman aftermarket parts. The QS-9000 certified facility supplies parts under both Meritor and Euclid brand names.
Automotive Cooling Products Acquires Quad Cities Distributing and Discount Radiator Warehouse
Automotive Cooling Products (ACP), specialty distributor of heating and cooling products for the automotive, light truck, heavy duty truck, agricultural and industrial industries, has acquired both Rock Island, Ill.-based Quad Cities Distributing and Discount Radiator Warehouse in Overland Park, Kan. These current acquisitions are part of ACP’s goals for growth and leadership within the automotive, light truck, heavy duty truck, agricultural and industrial industries.
Bar’s Products Retains Simpson Communications PR Agency
Bar’s Products, manufacturer of the Bar’s Leaks line of stop leak solutions for automotive systems and components, has named Simpson Communications, LLC, as its new public relations agency of record. Bar’s Products, manufacturer of the Bar’s Leaks line of stop leak solutions for automotive systems and components, has named Simpson Communications, LLC, as its new public relations agency of record.
AutoZone Sales Up 5.6 Percent
AutoZone has reported sales of $1.360 billion for its third fiscal quarter, which ended on May 8. That’s an increase of 5.6 percent from fiscal 2003. Same store sales, or sales for domestic stores open at least one year, increased 2 percent for the quarter, the company said.
Honeywell CPG Wins Awards for Catalog Excellence
Honeywell Consumer Products Group (CPG) received two awards earlier this month during the annual National Catalog Managers Conference in Orlando, Fla. Honeywell CPG was the recipient of two President’s Awards – one for Catalog Excellence for its newly created CD catalog, and one for Electronic Data Excellence for catalog data and support specifically provided to retailer CSK Automotive.
Sika Automotive Names John Sienkiewicz Vice President, Automotive Sales
Sika Automotive has named John Sienkiewicz vice president – automotive sales. In this role, Sienkiewicz will be responsible for planning and execution of all sales objectives for the automotive division. Sienkiewicz joins Sika from Midwest Stamping where he was vice president of sales and marketing.