aftermarketNews Staff
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Goodyear to Report 2003 4Q Results on May 19

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. said it would report fourth quarter 2003 financial results, plus details of its restatement of financial results for the years 1999-2003 on Wednesday, May 19. The report will be followed by an investor conference call at 9 a.m. Robert Keegan, chairman and CEO, and Robert Tieken, executive vice president and CFO, will participate in the conference call. They will also provide an outlook for the first quarter of 2004.

Corteco Acquires Precision Automotive Industries

As part of an effort to strengthen its position as a major supplier in the automotive aftermarket, Corteco, the aftermarket business of Freudenberg-NOK, has acquired Precision Automotive Industries (PAI), a Burnsville, Minn.-based supplier of bearings and seals. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Aftermarket Technology Corp. Appoints New CFO

Aftermarket Technology Corp.’s board of directors has appointed Todd Peters as CFO, succeeding Barry Kohn who has resigned, to pursue a new business opportunity. Peters joined ATC in March as the company’s vice president of finance. Prior to joining the company he was employed by TriMas Corp.

NAPA Names Dana to its NAPA 95 Percent Club

Dana Corporation’s Automotive Aftermarket Group and Clevite Engine Parts Division have been recognized by NAPA as proficient suppliers in 2003. NAPA Gaskets by Victor Reinz and Seal Tech gaskets have each received NAPA’s coveted 95 Percent Club award. Providing NAPA with a 97.2 percent fill rate, Dana ’s Clevite Engine Parts Division also recently earned recognition among NAPA’s elite 95 Percent Club.

Tap Into Technology Solutions at Aftermarket eForum 2004

Make your plans now to attend the 2004 Aftermarket eForum — Solutions Today for Tomorrow’s Technology Challenges, scheduled to take place August 2-4 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, Ill. Aftermarket eForum, supported by University of the Aftermarket, is the only conference focused exclusively focused on the automotive aftermarket. Building on the success of the past three years, the 2004 eForum will feature an expanded format that includes breakout sessions and a full vendor trade show. Topics will include data synchronization, paperless warehouse operation, automated replenishment, data mining and e-commerce for small business.

Toyota Earnings of $10 Billion Solidify Hold on 2nd Place

Toyota Motor on Tuesday became the first Japanese company to report a net profit of more than a trillion yen, or about $10 billion, firmly establishing its position as the world’s No. 2 automaker ahead of Ford Motor.

Pickups Plus Appoints New COO

Pickups Plus, a leading retailer and national franchiser in the $38 billion truck and SUV aftermarket accessory industry, has appointed Sean Hayes COO. Hayes who joined Pickups Plus, in April 2003, will lead the integration of the company’s new acquisition, Auto Preservation, into the company’s corporate structure and expansion plans. Hayes will also be in charge of disseminating appropriate information to shareholders and the expansion of the company’s franchising business.

Accuride Reports First Quarter Results

Accuride Corp. reported net sales of $111.4 million for the first quarter, which ended on March 31. This compares to net sales of $88.2 million for the first quarter of 2003, an increase of 26.3 percent. The increase is due primarily to greater demand across all market segments.

Tenneco Automotive Re-Elects Board Members

Stockholders at Tenneco Automotive reelected board directors Charles Cramb, Timothy Donovan, M. Kathryn Eickhoff, Mark Frissora, Frank Macher, Roger Porter, David Price, Jr., Dennis Severance, and Paul Stecko during the company’s annual meeting held Wednesday.

Activant Reports Successful Launch of New Jobber Management System Product

Activant Solutions recently launched a new Windows-based Jobber Management System (JMS) designed for small and mid-sized auto parts distributors. According to Jonathan Gear, vice president of marketing for Activant, the new JMS system can serve as a replacement for older (CCITRIAD) systems such as Series 12 or Loadstar.

Transpro Names Paul Verdile Senior Product Manager

Transpro has appointed Paul Verdile senior product manager for its Automotive Light Truck Heat Exchanger Business Unit. In this position Verdile will be responsible for all product development and strategic planning functions for product lines that include Ready-Rad radiators and Ready-Aire heater cores and air conditioning condensers. He will report to Layne Gobrogge, Transpro’s vice president of marketing and will be based in New Haven, Conn.

MEMA President Chris Bates Resigns

MEMA chairman Scott Meyer announced today that Chris Bates, president and CEO of the association since 2001, has resigned from the organization after 16 years of service. A reason for Bates’ resignation was not provided. MEMA has formed a search committee to identify and evaluate potential successors to Bates.