NACE Increases Number of Jobber Sessions
The 2004 International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) will offer an expanded PBE jobber program that will include five educational sessions on important topics challenging today’s jobber professionals. NACE takes place Nov. 3-6, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas.
AutoPartSource Unveils New Logo
As part of its strategy to position the company for growth in the undercar parts market, AutoPartSource has unveiled a new company logo.
Bill France, Sr. to Be Inducted Into Hall of Fame
Bill France, Sr., the man who founded NASCAR in 1947 and established the family dynasty that still rules the sport, will be one of eight inductees into the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Mich., on Oct. 5.
Tower Automotive Creates New Position: Global Human Resources and Communications Leader
Tower Automotive has appointed Sharon Wenzl to the newly created position of global human resource and communications leader, effective immediately. As a member of Tower Automotive’s enterprise leadership team, Wenzl will be responsible for aligning human resource and corporate communications strategies with the company’s focus on operational excellence. Wenzl also will assist the company’s financial organization with investor relations. She will report to Kathleen Ligocki, Tower Automotive’s president and CEO.
Standards Testing Labs Names New Account Manager
Standards Testing Laboratories (STL), the world’s largest independent testing facility for tires, wheels and related automotive components, recently named Roger Zingg account manager, test machinery sales. In this position, Zingg will be responsible for managing commercial test machinery sales, which includes client development, estimates, needs assessment surveys and customer service. Zingg will also handle day-to-day client management activities.
Standards Testing Labs Names New Account Manager
Standards Testing Laboratories (STL), the world’s largest independent testing facility for tires, wheels and related automotive components, recently named Roger Zingg account manager, test machinery sales. In this position, Zingg will be responsible for managing commercial test machinery sales, which includes client development, estimates, needs assessment surveys and customer service. Zingg will also handle day-to-day client management activities.
Activant’s Ross to Offer New Perspectives on Supply Chain Technology
What do mountain climbing and supply chain technology have in common? More than you’d imagine, according to Terry Ross, vice president of product development for Activant Solutions. Automotive parts distributors striving for operational excellence through supply chain technology can learn a trick or two from adventurers who have conquered the world’s most treacherous mountains, says Ross, who will present the opening address at next week’s Aftermarket eForum. The Aftermarket eForum takes place Aug. 2-5 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago.
Ewing to Buy Key Auto Stakes from Carlyle Group
As part of the unwinding of their relationship, Ewing Management Group has agreed to buy Carlyle Group’s stake in Key Automotive Group, as well as a stake held by Lightyear Capital. Key Automotive was formed by putting Key Plastics LLC, acquired for about $175 million in 2001, under the same roof with Breed Technologies, Inc., which Ewing had bought out of bankruptcy in 2001 for a reported $315 million. Breed was later renamed Key Safety Systems, Inc. and moved its headquarters to Michigan, where Key Plastics is based.
American Tire Distributors to Offer Continental Tires
Continental Tire North America (CTNA) and American Tire Distributors Inc. (ATD) announced July 29 that ATD will begin selling Continental and General brand tires through its national network of distribution centers beginning in August 2004.
Williams Controls Names New President and CEO
Patrick (Pat) Cavanagh will become the next president and CEO of Williams Controls. Cavanaugh will step into the position on Oct. 4. He succeeds current president, CEO and board chairman, Gene Goodson, who plans to retire. Goodson will remain chairman of the board.
Tracer Products Resolves Patent Issue with UView
Tracer Products, a leader in ultraviolet and UV/blue light technology, said it has resolved its differences with UView Ultraviolet Systems Inc. over litigation regarding Tracer Products’ U.S. Patent No. 6,491,408. As a result of the negotiations, UView has agreed to discontinue selling its Flex-Lite UV LED inspection lamp in the U.S. after July 31, according to Tracer Products. UView will also stop U.S. sales of all of its leak detection kits that contain the Flex-Lite lamp.
SEMA Awards Record Amount in Scholarships
As the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund celebrates its 20th year of giving, the association has announced it awarded students a record number of scholarships this year. Seventy-five students preparing for careers in the automotive industry received individual awards of up to $4,000, for a total of $110,000 in scholarships.