aftermarketNews Staff
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“DST Asks”: What Ordering Methods Do You Offer to Customers?

Forecasting the future isn’t a task restricted to tabloid psychics or your TV weatherman. Whether we like it or not, running a successful business today that will remain successful in the future requires forecasting skills.

Dura to Close a Tennessee Plant

Dura Automotive Systems, once the largest manufacturing employer in Tennessee’s Bledsoe County, will close its plant there in June and lay off the 80 workers left from a workforce that was 500 strong four years ago.

Delphi Achieves Record $3.2 Billion in Commercial Vehicle Business Bookings in ’03

Delphi achieved a record $3.2 billion in new commercial vehicle business bookings during 2003, according to company officials. Much of the new business is with Delphi’s engine management systems, along with audio, safety, climate control and electrical/electronic distribution systems, according to Maggart. While every major region saw a business increase during the year, a majority of the growth came from Asia-Pacific and Europe.

Diedrich Scholarship Applications Due

Incoming students planning to attend Northwood University in Midland, Mich., have until March 1 to apply for the Harvey Diedrich “Advantage” Scholarship. The award of $500 will go to a deserving student, majoring in either Marketing/Management or Automotive Aftermarket Management. Applications can be submitted online at www.northwood.edu. Diedrich was a longtime contributor to the aftermarket who passed away suddenly in June 2003. The scholarship was established by Diedrich’s friends and colleagues for his innovative marketing programs for Monroe shocks and Walker mufflers. He was principal architect of the highly successful “Walker Advantage” program.

ASC Enhances Technical Services Staff

ASC has announced the addition of Todd Machan to its staff. Machan will take on the role of “Technical Services Specialist” at the ASC Industries world headquarters. Machan is an ASE certified parts specialist and brings more than 13 years of automotive jobber and retail experience to ASC. He has held various positions throughout his automotive based career, and brings an excellent perspective on what is required to service customers at all levels, said ASC.

Bosch Teams Up with McDonald’s for Gift Certificate Promotion

Robert Bosch Corp. has teamed up with McDonald’s restaurant to offer a $5 McDonald’s gift certificate with the purchase of two Bosch Micro Edge Excel Wiper Blades. The mail-in form for the $5 McDonald’s gift certificate can be obtained at participating retail auto parts stores that sell Bosch Micro Edge Excel Wiper Blades.

Timken Receives Best Supplier Recognition from Oshkosh Truck Corp.

Timken was recently recognized as “Best Supplier” by the Oshkosh Truck Corp., a manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies for the fire and emergency, defense, concrete placement and refuse hauling markets. The recognition honors Timken’s excellent performance in delivery, quality and product support. Last year was the first year Oshkosh formally recognized suppliers with this award.

Goodyear Selects ACS to Provide Human Resources BPO Services

Goodyear Tire & Rubber has signed a 10-year agreement with ACS for human resources (HR) services. Under terms of the contract, ACS, a premier provider of business process and information technology solutions, will provide a wide range of HR business process services for Goodyear’s Akron, Ohio-based North American operations. Approximately 100 HR positions in Akron have transferred to ACS as part of the agreement.

Metaldyne Names Scott Ferriman Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific

Metaldyne has promoted Scott Ferriman to senior vice president, Asia Pacific, reporting to Tim Leuliette, Metaldyne chairman, president and CEO. In this position, Ferriman will be responsible for all aspects of the company’s business in the Asia Pacific region.

Executive Interview with John Washbish, President – Customer Relationship Management, Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group (AAG)

Every other week, aftermarketNews.com offers an interview with a high-profile individual in the automotive aftermarket. We give executives free rein to express their views on anything from the state of their corporations to recent legislative news to future trends in their niche markets. Here you see what matters to the newsmakers themselves.

Comergent Technologies Acquires Profile Systems, Inc.

Comergent Technologies, a leading provider of demand chain management applications, has acquired Profile Systems, a developer of product information (PIM) and inventory management companies for business-to-business e-business. Under the terms of the agreement, Comergent Technologies has acquired all the outstanding Profile Systems shares and technology. Profile Systems employees have been retained in the West Springfield, Mass., office.

ProQuest Automotive and Hino Motors Sign First Electronic Parts Catalog Agreement

ProQuest Automotive announced that it has signed a five-year agreement with Hino Motors Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, to develop an electronic parts catalog (EPC) application for use in all of the North American dealerships of Hino Motors Sales U.S.A., Inc.