New Aftermarket Foundation Video to be Shown at AAPEX Town Hall Meeting
In an effort to increase industry awareness of the philanthropic organization, the Aftermarket Foundation has developed a new marketing video, along with a redesigned Web site and brochure. The approximately seven-minute video, shot by former NASCAR Performance producer Joe DePaulis, will be unveiled at the Town Hall meeting, which takes place this fall during the 2004 AAPEX Show.
DST Asks:Does Your Multi-Store Business Management System Capture and Consolidate Operating Information?
It’s the American way. Start your own business. Perfect your methods. Hire good people. Grow your customer base. Perfect the idea at one location, then expand by adding new locations that share the same business model. Thousands of successful retail enterprises have started in exactly this way. It’s a fundamental way to apply the principle we all learned in Economics 101 – economies of scale. Business 101 would call it leverage. Good entrepreneurs call it survival!
ArvinMeritor to Sell Kenton, Ohio, Facility
ArvinMeritor is selling its Commercial Vehicle Systems (CVS) facility in Kenton, Ohio, to a subsidiary of Sypris Solutions, Inc. ArvinMeritor has owned the Kenton facility since 1948. As part of the agreement, ArvinMeritor and Sypris will begin a multi-year outsourcing arrangement.
Detroit Diesel Creates Parts, Service and Customer Support Organization
Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) has created to two new departments to focus on customer support. The company has made a number of executive appointments in conjunction with the announcement.
Former RMA VP Joins MEMA
On June 1, Ann Wilson, formerly of the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) in Washington, D.C., will join the staff at the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). Previously, Wilson served as the vice president of government affairs at RMA. She will serve in the same role with MEMA.
IPD Products Reorganizes Company to Focus on Caterpillar Engines
IPD Products has undergone a reorganization to focus more on its products for Caterpillar Engines. As part of the reorganization, the company has unveiled a new IPD slogan: “The Standard for Quality, Innovation, Service and Support Since 1955.”
Grote Publishes New Electrical Accessories Catalog
Recognizing a regular complaint from heavy-duty technicians and countermen, Grote has published its new Grote Accessories Catalog, designed to bring together all the necessary applications for repair and installation work for easy ordering and stocking. The new approach makes it possible to get repair accessories from one source on one order, according to Grote.
ASA Announces Collision Division, Mechanical Division Operations Committees
Automotive Service Association (ASA) members have elected committee members for its Collision and Mechanical Divisions. Michael Anderson of Wagonwork Collision Center in Alexandria, Va., has been appointed Collision Division Director. Anderson will serves on ASA’s board of directors and will chair the 2004 ASA Collision Division Operations Committee. ASA members have also elected Earl Dohner, AAM, of E&E’s Garage in Brookville, Ohio, as Mechanical Division Director. Dohner will serve on ASA’s board of directors and will chair the 2004 ASA Mechanical Division Operations Committee.
NACE Registration to Include Complimentary Admittance and Shuttle to AAIW Shows
Organizers of the 2004 International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) have announced that the registration fee will now include a badge that will admit attendees to the NACE Exposition, as well as Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) shows – SEMA and AAPEX.
Challenge Ahead for Detroit’s Automakers
Detroit’s Big Three automakers — General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler — are going to have to make changes in their products if they want to stay competitive, says automotive trend watcher Micheline Maynard.
Stanford Business School Study Finds Economic Incentives Do Inspire New Products – To a Point
With product life cycles becoming ever shorter, today’s key to market success is speed — continuously creating new items or ever more novel iterations of old ones. Nissan, for instance, has succeeded in a tough automotive market by focusing on frequently designing new models. Logitech has produced a string of ever-changing mice and keyboards in the computer industry. This emphasis on rapid change means that finding ways to motivate product development managers has become critical to business success.
A&A Midwest/Enginequest to Partner with Australia’s Toowoomba Metal
A&A Midwest/Enginequest, a parts dealer that buys, processes and sells drive train components for the automotive remanufacturing and recycling industries, has entered into a long-term exclusive trade agreement with CMI Operations Pty Ltd., trading as Toowoomba Metal Technologies. Toowoomba Metal Technologies is the largest independent foundry and machining facility operating in Australia, and the original manufacturer of the Lighting Performance Cylinder Head product.