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.”
Cypress Group Announces New Name for Automotive Aftermarket Group Unit
The Cypress Group announced today that the automotive aftermarket business it is in the process of purchasing from Dana Corp. will be named “AFFINIA” after the transaction is completed. The announcement was made by Michael Finley, managing director of Cypress. “The name AFFINIA reflects the collaborative approach the business maintains with its many constituents,” said Finley. “It describes the spirit of teamwork and service that guides the way the aftermarket team does business with its customers, and also speaks to the collaboration and teamwork that characterize the way the company’s people interact each day.
Federal-Mogul’s Sparta Facility Chosen To Be a Honda Benchmark Site
Federal-Mogul’s Sparta, Tenn., facility has been selected by Honda of America to serve as a benchmark site for the automaker. The Sparta facility manufactures automotive miniature lamps and ships to both OE customers and the aftermarket. Sparta supplies Honda with wedge lamps and grab rail lamp assemblies.
AASA Reminds AAPEX Attendees to Absentee Vote
As evidenced by recent polls, the November presidential elections will be close — and as the 2000 election pointed out, every vote counts. The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) is reminding those planning to attend the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas, or those who will be out of town, to submit an absentee ballot. Organizers for the 2004 AAPEX show have provided additional resources to make the absentee voting process easier. To order your absentee voter application go to www.aapexshow.com click on “Exhibitors,” then click on “Election 2004.”
TRW Appoints Neil Marchuk as Vice President, Human Resources
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. has appointed Neil Marchuk as vice president, human resources for TRW Automotive. In this role, Marchuk will be responsible for strategic leadership of the company’s international human resources and will serve as a member of the management committee. He will be based at the company’s headquarters in Livonia, Mich., and report directly to John Plant, president and CEO of TRW Automotive.
Taking Be Car Care Aware on the Road
The Be Car Care Aware (BCCA) consumer education campaign is taking its show on the road in a new booth with visits to a number of hot industry events across the country. The Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS), held during Industry Week in Las Vegas, will be the next stop.
Beck/Arnley Announces New Part Numbers
Beck/Arnley recently added 88 new part numbers to its premium foreign nameplate product line, for a total of 878 part numbers introduced since May 2004, according to Vonda Lee, Beck/Arnley product team lead.