Jeff Schuster Tapped to Lead Global Forecasting Department at J.D. Power; Dr. Wynn Bussmann to Retire in April
J.D. Power and Associates has named Jeff Schuster to lead its automotive global forecasting services department at the firm’s Troy, Mich., office. Schuster, who was recently promoted to senior director of North American Forecasting, has been with J.D. Power and Associates since 1996. In his new position, Schuster replaces Dr. Wynn “Van” Bussmann, who retires April 3. Bussmann, who has led Global Forecasting since joining the firm in July 2001, will be on a retainer and serve as an advisor for the forecasting business for the balance of the year.
Champion Motorsport Named Exclusive Dealer for Porsche Tubi Style Exhaust Systems
Champion Motorsport, a subsidiary of Champion Motors, has been named the exclusive authorized dealer in North America for Tubi Style hand-crafted stainless steel exhaust systems for Porsche models.
Small is Satisfactory: Dura Builds a Niche
So it’s not as big as Delphi. It doesn’t employ as many as Lear. But Lawrence Denton, chief executive for Dura Automotive Systems Inc., says he’s satisfied with his company’s size. Dura, he says, is just better off being small.
ASA, ASC-MI Testify at Michigan Senate Insurance Committee Hearing on Insurer-Owned Repair
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) and the Automotive Service Councils of Michigan (ASC-MI) testified recently before the Michigan Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee on Senate Bill 819, Insurer Owned Repair legislation. Repair facility owners from throughout Michigan packed a Senate hearing room to show support for the legislation, according to ASA. The legislation prohibits insurance companies from owning or acquiring a repair facility in the state of Michigan. If the legislation is passed, any insurer that has ownership of a repair facility must divest itself of that facility within two years of the effective date of the legislation. S. 819 was introduced by Sen. Laura Toy, R-Livonia. The bill has 16 co-sponsors.
Transpro Signs Supply Agreement with Lordco
Transpro has been named a supplier of radiator and heater core programs for Lordco Inc., based in Vancouver, BC. Under the agreement, Transpro will supply Lordco with its Ready-Rad Radiator and Ready-Aire Heater Core product lines. The program will be rolled out to the Lordco distribution system throughout the month of March.
Tenneco Automotive Names Timothy Donovan as New Director
Timothy Donovan has been elected to Tenneco Automotive’s board of directors. Donovan is executive vice president, managing director of Tenneco Automotive’s International Group and general counsel. Donovan joined Tenneco Automotive as senior vice president and general counsel in August 1999.
AADCO Automotive to Acquire Coreline Auto Parts Ltd.
AADCO Automotive Inc., a supplier of Like, Kind and Quality (LKQ) used auto parts, has signed an agreement to acquire Coreline Auto Parts Ltd. of Milton, Ontario. Founded in 1977, Coreline Auto Parts is the third largest automotive core and materials broker in Canada doing business from coast to coast. A privately held company with annual revenues of $1.5 million, Coreline will significantly expand the AADCO distribution network across Canada, according to AADCO CEO Charles Hodgkinson.
Pep Boys to Offer Shares of Its Common Stock
Pep Boys has commenced a public offering of 4,250,000 shares of its common stock (with up to an additional 637,500 shares to cover over-allotments, if any). The company said it intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for repayment of borrowings and store redesigns.
Manufacturers’ Rep Conference to Focus on Industry Partnerships
Make plans to attend the Manufacturers’ Rep Conference May 16-17, 2004 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago. Topics to be covered include customer relationship management, evaluating line profitability and agency profitability, pioneering new lines and adjusting income structures and developing a customer-focused sales force.
GOJO Industries Launches New Automotive Web Site
GOJO Industries, a longtime leader in skin care solutions for the automotive industry, has launched a new automotive Web site, featuring tools and resources to help shop supervisors recognize and help prevent costly skin problems. The site offers material safety data sheets as well as information about products, dispensers and contact information to receive assistance from a GOJO skin care expert.
Defining The Process Enterprise
In this week’s article we’ll deal with a fundamental question: What is a “process enterprise” and how does it differ from the kind of enterprise most of us are living in today?
Goodyear Takes Disciplinary Actions Related to European Union Accounting Review
Goodyear Tire & Rubber has taken disciplinary actions against several senior managers in its European Union operation in response to its ongoing investigation of improper accounting in European and other overseas operations. Although the investigation is not yet complete, the company said it decided to begin the process of improving the European organization and to continue strengthening its accounting controls.