aftermarketNews Staff
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DST Asks: Do You Sell from Inventory Locations that are Not Your Own or Are You Making Plans To?

The old maxim “You can’t sell from an empty shelf” has become outdated. Why? Because technology can ensure that shelves are never bare, at least from the customer’s standpoint, with the advent of the Virtual Inventory Network (VIN) — a term coined by DST to encompass B2B, B2C, and Peer-to-Peer e-commerce. A VIN, also sometimes referred to as a Virtual Sales Network, can provide leverage and cohesiveness of shared inventory across multiple trading partners both up and down and across the supply chain.

IAPA Selects Wrenchead’s Central Suite of Products

Electronic catalog and software solutions provider, Wrenchead, has announced that Independent Auto Parts of America (IAPA) has chosen Wrenchead’s suite of ebusiness solutions to power its members’ e-commerce initiatives. IAPA is one of the nation’s leading program distribution groups. In addition to marketing programs and technology solutions that IAPA provides its members, the group negotiates more than $1 billion worth of auto parts for more than four thousand independent auto parts store members and tech centers each year.

Continental to Acquire Phoenix AG

Continental AG has said it intends to acquire Phoenix AG of Hamburg, Germany. Continental will launch a public tender offer of EUR 15 per share (approximately $18 per share) for all outstanding shares of Phoenix AG. Officials at Continental AG said the company views the proposed takeover as a significant step in its strategy of further developing its ContiTech division, a leading global supplier of technical elastomers.

SKF/Chicago Rawhide Recognized as a John Deere Hall of Fame Supplier

SKF/Chicago Rawhide was recently named a “Partner-level Supplier” to John Deere. The company was inducted into John Deere’s supplier Hall of Fame, part of the John Deere Achieving Excellence Program. Hall of Fame status is achieved after a supplier earns Partner-level recognition for five consecutive years.

Tenneco Automotive Named a 2003 Vendor of the Year by Advance Auto Parts

Tenneco Automotive has received a 2003 Vendor of the Year Award from Advance Auto Parts, recognizing the company as a top performing, service-oriented supplier during the past year. The award was announced at the recently held Advance Auto Parts Leadership Conference.

SEMA’s International Auto Salon to Include Philanthropic Events

SEMA is teaming up with Athletes and Entertainers For Kids (AEFK), for a benefit celebrity vs. industry competition. The “Track Attack Challenge” will take place on Saturday, April 3, at the International Auto Salon (IAS) in the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Kumho Kicks off Spring/Summer Season with New Sweepstakes

Kumho Tire USA is kicking off the spring and summer sales seasons with a sweepstakes designed to promote the ECSTA ASX, the company’s new ultra-high performance all-season tire. The sweepstakes will give away more than 1,100 prizes, with the grand prize a customized MINI Cooper S. Other prizes include 10 sets of ECSTA ASX tires, 100 roadside emergency kits and 1,000 KUMHO CD cases.

Aftermarket Leaders to Discuss Industry Trends at GAAS

A foursome of distributor and retail leaders will share their thoughts on aftermarket industry trends on Wednesday, May 19, at the ninth annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS). GAAS 2004 will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 18-19, at the Hyatt Regency, Chicago.

Executive Interview with Joe Puishys, President of Honeywell Friction Materials

Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Joe Puishys, president of Honeywell Friction Materials. A 25-year veteran of the company’s automotive businesses, Joe Puishys has served as president of Honeywell Friction Materials since early 2002. His responsibilities include overseeing the most recent corporate effort to align closely with Honeywell’s business initiatives and operating plan. He has already played a major role in the cost cutting and six sigma programs occurring throughout the organization. Join us as Puishys gives us an update on Honeywell Friction Materials, including plans to expand manufacturing operations and launch new products.

Bosch Launches Free Gas Card Promotion

Robert Bosch Corp. has launched a new promotion designed to help increase sales of its spark plugs and oxygen sensors. Bosch is offering drivers the opportunity to earn up to $20 in free gas with the purchase of four Bosch Platinum Series Spark Plugs and one Bosch Oxygen Sensor.

Dover Motorsports Subsidiary Assigns Rights to Grand Prix of Denver to Open Wheel Racing Series, LLC

Dover Motorsports and its wholly owned subsidiary, Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, has reached an agreement with CART successor and owner of the Champ Car World Series, Open Wheel Racing Series, LLC (OWRS) to transfer to certain OWRS assets and rights that Grand Prix has relative to the organization and promotion of the Grand Prix of Denver, subject to certain conditions and approvals.

Prolong International Appoints Two New Board Members

Prolong International Corp., parent company of Prolong Super Lubricants, which manufactures patented consumer automotive, commercial/industrial and household products, has appointed Cary Fitchey and Robert Lautz as members of its board of directors. Fitchey and Lautz fill existing vacancies on the board.