How Electronics and Mechatronics Will Affect Your Future Reman Business
During the 2004 International Big R Show in Las Vegas, Fernand Weiland of FJW Consulting (Cologne, Germany), will moderate a free workshop on electronics and mechatronics and the impact that electronics has on products that are currently only mechanical or electrical in nature.
Douglas Battery Expands Distribution
In response to increased demand on the West Coast, Douglas Battery has expanded its California distribution center.
ROL Manufacturing Sets New Company Record
Aftermarket exhaust accessories maker ROL Manufacturing reported a new company record this week. The company announced that in the past 12 months, the ROL Exhaust and Marwil Divisions combined, set a new company record of manufacturing and selling more than 27 million individual muffler clamps.
Automotive Oil Change Association Offers Private Manager Training Courses
The Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA) is now offering private manager training courses, designed not only to meet the needs of professional technicians but also helping them overcome coming barriers to training.
Holley Names Northwest Regional Sales Manager
Holley Performance Products, a leader in the performance engine market, recently announced the addition of Brent Geisler as regional sales manager for the Northwest territory.
Be Car Care Aware Continuing its Success Story
This year, the Be Car Care Aware (BCCA) consumer education campaign has proudly deemed itself a “branding success story.” In the past 36 months, consumers, industry members and media alike have shown tremendous interest in the campaign. Among the impressive statistics — 3,000 people signed up for online registration of media kits in March of 2004 (up from 800 in March 2003); and there were 103,000 visits to the www.carcareaware.org Web site in March ’04 (up from 30,000 in March ’03). The campaign plans to continue to build upon its early success with a number of upcoming activities.
BFGoodrich Talks Deadlocked; Strike Deadline Approaches
Negotiations between the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) and three of Michelin North America’s BFGoodrich plants remain deadlocked just hours before a deadline that could result in a 3,500-worker strike. The bargaining talks involve BFGoodrich’s three U.S. plants in Woodburn, Ind. (near Fort Wayne); Opelika, Ala.; and Tuscaloosa, Ala.
3M Announces Executive Appointments
Adhesives maker 3M announced a number of executive changes this week. Among them was a change in the company’s Automotive Aftermarket Division. Effective Oct. 1, Robert MacDonald, current vice president of 3M’s Automotive Aftermarket Division, will become senior vice president of marketing and sales for the company, succeeding David Powell, who plans to retire after 34 years with the company.
Akebono Introduces Expanded 2004 ProACT Catalog
Akebono Corp. has announced the availability of its expanded 2004 ProACT Application Catalog, which features ProACT Ultra-Premium Ceramic Disc Brake Pads and Precision Remanufactured Loaded Calipers. The company noted that more than 100 ProACT pad part numbers have been released since July 2003, adding coverage to hundreds of vehicles including several early release 2005 models.
Motormite/Dorman Distributes 180,000 Wheel Nut Torque Specification Posters
Motormite/Dorman has successfully tapped into a new venue for providing technical information to service dealers while simultaneously promoting its new products. In May, Motormite/Dorman distributed more than 180,000 Wheel Nut Torque Specification Posters in a number of aftermarket trade publications. According to Bill Hanvey, vice president of marketing for Motormite/Dorman, the dual-purpose poster was met with positive response.
T.O. Haas Tire Buys Gullickson Tire
T.O. Haas Tire this month officially took over operations of Gullickson Tire in Hutchinson, Kan. This purchase will mark the fifth T.O. Haas Tire store in Kansas, bringing the total number of stores to thirty. George Hoellen, president of T.O. Haas Tire, said the purchase was a good fit for a number of reasons.
Caliber Collision Centers Names Director of Client Services, Texas Operations
Caliber Collision Centers, an Irvine, Calif.-based collision repair business, has named Tresa Parker as its director of client services for the company’s Texas Operations. Caliber Collision Centers operates facilities in Texas and California. This newly created position is designed to help strengthen new and existing relationships with insurance clients and customers in the Texas market, according to the company.