aftermarketNews Staff
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DENSO Introduces New Management System to Begin in June

DENSO Corp. has announced a reorganization of the company’s management structure, set to take effect after its annual stockholders meeting in June. The new structure will include a board of directors and non-board managing officers. The current system consists only of a board of directors. The reorganization was designed to streamline operations, said Koichi Fukaya, president and CEO of DENSO.

Buffalo Insurance Group Buys Aftermarket Firm

The Lawley Service Insurance Group of Companies, based in Buffalo, NY, has acquired TWS and Associates, an Orchard Park, NY-based firm specializing in automotive aftermarket products. The purchase of the 30-year-old firm by Lawley’s Automotive Dealership Solutions subsidiary is designed to strengthen the agency’s automotive business in Western New York and the Southern Tier.

Modine Expands Global Presence through Acquisition in Asia

Modine Manufacturing Co. has signed a definitive asset purchase agreement for a major expansion into Asia through the acquisition of the Automotive Climate Control Division (ACC) of WiniaMando Inc. WiniaMando, headquartered in South Korea, designs and manufactures heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for commercial vehicles, trucks, buses and trains as well as other heat transfer components, such as oil coolers and charge air coolers.

Bridgestone/Firestone Announces Price Increases in U.S. and Canada

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) and Bridgestone/Firestone Canada have jointly announced an “across the board” price increase of up to 5 percent on the companies’ tire products sold in the replacement and original equipment markets in all channels. Prices on some sizes of off-road tires will increase by up to 8 percent.

American Axle & Manufacturing Initiates Quarterly Dividend Program

The board of directors for American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings (AAM) has declared its first ever dividend as a public company. A quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share will be payable on June 28 to stockholders of record on all of the company’s issued and outstanding common stock as of June 7.

U.S. Bank, Bridgestone, Labatt Blue Renew Return as Sponsors of 2004 Champ Car Grand Prix of Cleveland

Officials from the Champ Car Grand Prix of Cleveland announced that U.S. Bank will return to the annual Roar by the Shore summer event as presenting sponsor in 2004. Officials from the Champ Car Grand Prix of Cleveland announced that U.S. Bank will return to the annual Roar by the Shore summer event as presenting sponsor in 2004.

Qualitee International Acquired by AutoPartSource

AutoPartSource, LLC has purchased certain assets of Qualitee International Limited Partnership of Bloomfield Hills, Mich. The two companies have entered into an agreement to sell, on a consignment basis, all of the inventory of Qualitee.

National Pronto Association Adds Two Shareholders

National Pronto Association has announced the addition of two new shareholders to the program group. Pronto is a shareholder-owned organization headquartered in Justin, Texas. Formed in 1979, Pronto currently has 49 shareholder owners operating 87 distribution center locations.

DuPont Expands Fayetteville Manufacturing Line

DuPont has announced plans to add a $15 million glass interlayer manufacturing line at its site in Fayetteville, N.C. The new line will manufacture DuPont SentryGlas Plus interlayers, high-strength polymer sheets used by glass laminators and window companies to make advanced safety glass for automobiles and buildings.

SEMA Chairman Honored by Tennessee State Senate

As if winning the 2004 Meguiar’s Award for Collector Car Person of the Year was not enough, the Tennessee State Senate has issued a resolution to honor Joseph “Corky” Coker.Coker, who currently serves as chairman of the Special Equipment Market Association (SEMA), is president of Coker Tire in Chattanooga, Tenn. He will be presented with the Meguiar’s award on June 19. On April 19, the Tennessee State Senate issued Senate Joint Resolution 997 to honor and commend Coker for “winning the 2004 Meguiar’s Award for Collector Car Person of the Year” and saluted “his personal, professional and civic excellence,” according to a report from SEMA.

Gessford Machine Inc. Named 2004

George Anderson, owner of Gessford Machine in Hastings, Neb., has been named the 2004 “Machine Shop of the Year” award by Engine Builder magazine and the Engine Rebuilders Association (AERA). AERA is a not-for-profit trade association, serving the engine rebuilder/remanufacturing industry, machine shops, equipment, parts and services suppliers since 1922.

Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI) to Hold Annual Detroit Tech Week

The Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI) will present its annual Detroit Tech Week June 14 through June 18. Detroit Tech Week is a forum to communicate new information and tool requirements for servicing new and future vehicles. For more than 20 years, ETI Detroit Tech Week has provided OEMs – engineers and designers – and Tech Week attendees – the makers of automotive tools and equipment – an opportunity to meet and collaborate. Through OEM presentations, panel discussions and hands-on demonstrations, these professionals discuss the upcoming service needs of new makes and models, and the changes necessary in the tool and equipment industry to meet those needs.