Cooper Tire to End Inner-Tube Production at Clarksdale Plant
Citing a “continuous decline” in the inner-tube market, Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. announced plans to cease production of inner tubes at its plant in Clarksdale, Miss., effective November 12.
Dura Automotive to Open Production Facility in Romania
Dura Automotive Systems today announced plans to open a manufacturing plant in Timisoara, Romania. The facility will produce a broad range of automotive components for automakers in Central and Eastern Europe. Groundbreaking will begin this month, with production expected to start in 2005.
Prolong Names New Vice President of Sales
Prolong International Corp., parent of Prolong Super Lubricants, has named William Carlson as its new vice president of sales.
Nominations Now Being Accepted for MEMA’s Triangle Award
As MEMA celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2004, its coveted Triangle Award will mark its 30th year. Another industry leader may join the ranks of its recipients during AAPEX. Nominations for the 2004 Triangle Award are now being accepted.
Japan’s Toyo Rubber Sets Up Auto Parts Unit in China
Toyo Tire and Rubber Co. Ltd., Japan’s fourth largest tire maker, has set up a wholly-owned subsidiary in China to manufacture anti-vibration rubber for use in autos.
ArvinMeritor CFO Takes Early Retirement, Company Looking for Successor
Carl Soderstrom, senior vice president and CFO of ArvinMeritor, has announced he will take early retirement at the end of the year. The company stated in a press release issued early this morning that Soderstrom’s retirement was a mutual agreement. The company has retained Heidrick & Struggles to initiate the search for a new CFO.
Remy International Creates New Aftermarket Services Division
Remy International, which recently changed its name from Delco Remy International, has formed a new aftermarket services department to coordinate brand management and analysis. The new division will report to President and CEO Thomas Snyder but will also be directly responsible to the heads of diesel, electrical, Knopf and locomotive divisions. Al Rowley has been named vice president of the new aftermarket services department.
GDX Automotive Selects New Management Team Following Sale to Cerberus
GDX Automotive this week introduced a new global management team to lead the company following the sale of the business to Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., a New York-based investment firm. GDX Automotive, which was previously owned by GenCorp, Inc., is a global supplier of vehicle sealing and engineered components with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe and China. Morris Rowlett, has been named incoming GDX Automotive chairman and CEO. Rowlett comes to GDX with more than 20 years of experience in automotive and manufacturing turnaround management, having served as chairman and/or CEO of four automotive industry suppliers during the past nine years.
SEMA Launches New Offroad Show
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has created an all new exclusive offroad event, which will take place Feb. 4-5, 2005 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Designed as a companion event to the well-established SEMA Spring Expo, and as an extension of the SEMA Show 2004 in Las Vegas, SEMA Offroad will target companies serving the recreational and performance offroad segments and aims to create new opportunities for this growing market.
American Tire Distributors Acquires Target Tire
American Tire Distributors has completed its acquisition of Target Tire, Inc., as was first announced in early July. This acquisition will expand American Tire Distributors’ service levels across the southeastern U.S. Target Tire currently operates eleven distribution centers across Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. These eleven distribution centers service approximately 1,800 customers across the above five states, as well as portions of Kentucky and West Virginia.
Shield Autoglass to Open 108 Outlets in India
Car glass repair and replacement firm Shield Autoglass will open 108 specialized outlets under the brand name ‘Windshield Experts’ by 2008 to have a pan India presence for tapping the burgeoning market, with an investment of $4.5 million.
MEMA to Give Away Trip to Daytona 500 as Finale to 100-Year Anniversary
As a grand finale to the yearlong celebration of its 100-year anniversary and to say thanks to the product manufacturers who have made it possible, the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) announced today that it will be giving away a trip for two to the 2005 Daytona 500 – the 47th annual “Great American Race.”