East Penn Receives Government Gold Award for Quality Performance
East Penn Manufacturing was recently honored by Defense Supply Center in Richmond, Va., as one of the government’s best suppliers. East Penn supplies lead-acid batteries to the Department of Defense and other government agencies.
Motor Vehicle Lighting Council Launches Redesigned Web Site Focusing on Public Safety
As part of its commitment to improve driver and pedestrian safety, the Motor Vehicle Lighting Council (MVLC) recently redesigned its Web site to better inform the motoring public about the benefits and proper use of advanced lighting technologies.
Tenneco Automotive Elects Jane L. Warner as New Director
Jane Warner has been elected to Tenneco Automotive’s board of directors. Since June 2004, Warner has been president of Plexus Systems, a leading provider of web-based manufacturing software. Prior to this, Warner served as president of Electronic Data Systems Corp.’s global manufacturing industry solutions group. She joined the company in 2000 as managing director of its global automotive industry group.
Honeywell to Pay $2.15M to Settle Age-discrimination Suit
Honeywell International Inc. will pay $2.15 million to settle a federal age-discrimination lawsuit filed on behalf of former workers at the company’s car-care unit. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) brought the class-action suit against the Morris Township, NJ-based industrial giant two years ago after sales managers and representatives in their 40s and 50s claimed they were called “dinosaurs” and illegally fired or demoted by the company’s automotive products unit.
Wells Manufacturing Announces Two Executive Appointments
Wells Manufacturing recently appointed automotive aftermarket veteran Chris Stock to the position of national sales and marketing manager for the company’s traditional aftermarket business. In addition, Wells recently announced the promotion of Gene Langenecker within its leadership team. Langenecker is now national sales and marketing manager for the retail aftermarket.
Collins & Aikman Plastics Ltd. Fined $80,000 for Health and Safety Violation
Collins & Aikman Plastics Ltd., a Scarborough, Ont.-based company that manufactures plastic components for the automotive industry, was fined $80,000 on Oct. 4, for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that resulted in serious foot injuries to an employee.
ARI Names New Director of Materials Management
Dan Lewis has been named the new director of materials management for ARI, a manufacturer, remanufacturer and distributor of undercar repair parts. Lewis brings to ARI 32 years of experience in supply chain management, international procurement, product management, supplier partnerships, strategic/financial planning, MRP/DRP systems and product pricing. His previous employment includes time at Coni-Seal and Beck/Arnley.
Alcoa Opens New Automotive Center in Detroit; Launches New Automotive Web Site
Alcoa has formally opened its new automotive center in Farmington Hills, Mich. More than 300 design, engineering, sales and marketing specialists began moving into the new 86,000-square-foot office building earlier this year. The new facility joins Alcoa’s North American automotive businesses into a single location and consolidates Alcoa offices located in Southfield, Livonia and Allen Park, Mich.
Lund International’s Accessories Division receives ISO 9001 Certification
Lund International’s Lund Accessories Division recently received ISO 9001 certification.
Overseas Automotive Council Selects Three New Board Members
Three new members have been elected to the Overseas Automotive Council (OAC) Board of Directors for three-year terms of office. OAC is the international aftermarket division of MEMA. The council promotes the sale in foreign markets of automotive products manufactured in North America.
Pat Young Service Co. Parts Professional Named 2004 Counterman Magazine Counterperson of the Year
For residents of the Northeastern Ohio area, Randy Lipscomb is known simply as “Handy Randy,” the affable and knowledgeable host of local auto care television show, Handy Randy’s Car Care. But recently, he added another name: Counterperson of the Year. After a six month national search, the Barberton, Ohio, parts professional was yesterday named the 2004 Counterman Magazine “Counterperson of the Year.” The award was created in 1986 to recognize those who excel in the demanding parts distribution profession.
Eastern Manufacturing Opens New Headquarters and Manufacturing Facility
Eastern Manufacturing Inc., a manufacturer of catalytic converters and related components, has established a new 115,000-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing facility in Langhorne, Pa. Combined with its nearby R&D facilities, Eastern’s site now encompasses more than 150,000-square-feet of space for administrative, manufacturing, warehousing and R&D.