AFCO Invests $20 Million in South Carolina Facility to Produce Next-Generation DENSO Fuel Pump
Associated Fuel Pump Systems Corp. (AFCO) is investing an additional $20 million in its Anderson, S.C., manufacturing plant in order to support U.S. production of DENSO’s newly designed Grand Half (GH) automotive fuel pump. AFCO is a joint venture between Robert Bosch GmbH of Germany and DENSO International America, Inc. that was established in 1989.
Equipment and Tool Institute Launches Underhood Technologies and Scan Tool Statistical Report
The Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI) announced this week that it has created a new reporting program focusing on the under the hood segment of the vehicle service equipment industry. The Underhood Technologies Statistical Reporting Program, which will focus on tools and equipment that service the area under the hood, includes the growing arena of scan tools.
Motormite/Dorman Releases Three Aftermarket Catalogs and Revamped Web Site
Motormite/Dorman has released three new aftermarket catalogs and a renovated web site to support these new publications. The new catalogs and web site feature hundreds of new-to-the-Automotive-Aftermarket parts that were previously only available at the OE Dealer. All catalogs feature the “Driving ReveNEW” theme, which identifies new parts.
Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum Appoints Manager of Marketing and Advertising
Rose Dickinson has been named manager of marketing and advertising at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. In this new role, Dickinson will be responsible for the museum’s advertising, including print and radio for the California Hot Rod Reunion, National Hot Rod Reunion and museum special events. Dickinson’s NHRA career began in 1988 after she left Pennzoil to help start-up National Dragster in-house publications.
ASA Forms New Government Affairs Committee
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has created a new Government Affairs Committee (GAC), to serve in an advisory capacity to the ASA board as they develop legislative policy guidelines. Members of the committee were appointed from both the mechanical and collision divisions of ASA.
Dana Announces Addition of Chief Information Officer
Dana Corp. has added a chief information officer (CIO) to its top executive team. Former PepsiCo executive Bruce Carver has joined the company as vice president and CIO. In this new role, Carver will be responsible for the development, coordination and advancement of Dana’s global information systems and technologies.
Car Care Council Women’s Board Introduces the Automotive Communications Awards
The Car Care Council Women’s Board (WB) has announced a new awards program. The Automotive Communications Awards (ACA) will be presented during the Women’s Board reception on Tuesday, Nov. 2 in Las Vegas, Nev. during AAPEX. The Automotive Communications Awards recognize companies and/or agencies that provide automotive information through outstanding advertising, marketing and PR efforts.
FinishMaster Acquires Virginia Automotive Paint Distributor
FinishMaster, Inc., a national independent distributor of automotive paints, coatings and accessories to the automotive collision repair industry, has acquired the automotive paint division of Virginia Paint Co. (VPC).
Cummins Mourns the Loss of Former Chairman and CEO J. Irwin Miller
Cummins Inc. has issued a statement mourning the death of Joseph Irwin Miller, who died this week at the age of 95. Miller was born in Columbus, Ind. in 1909. J. Irwin Miller built Cummins from a family business into a Fortune 500 company with more than 25,000 employees in 131 countries and more than $6 billion in annual sales. He is credited for transforming his hometown of Columbus, Ind., into a city of architectural wonders, earning it the nickname the Athens of the Prairie. The company said he will be eulogized as a great business leader, social activist and philanthropist whose influence will continue well into the 21st century.
Alcoa to Close Ohio Auto Parts Plant, Lay Off 140
Alcoa said late Tuesday it is cutting 140 jobs and closing its automotive components plant in Northwood, Ohio, by the end of the year to decrease overcapacity. The aluminum products maker said it plans to take pre-tax charges of about $7 million, with $3 million to be recorded in the third quarter.
UGN Names Black Vice President of Finance
UGN, Inc., a supplier of acoustic, interior trim and thermal management products to the automotive industry, has promoted Douglas Black to vice president of finance. In his new position, Black will be an officer of UGN with full responsibility for the financial component of the UGN business model.
Parts Supply Affects Ford’s Hybrid Plans
Plans by Michigan’s Ford Motor Co. to start making gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles could be affected by a lack of domestically available parts. Phil Martens, Ford’s executive vice president of product development, said Ford had to turn to foreign suppliers for access to a majority of key components to build the company’s first hybrid, the Escape Hybrid, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.