Interstate Batteries Taps Next Chief Exec
Interstate Batteries, a leading brand of replacement automobile batteries in North America, has announced that Carlos Sepulveda will be promoted to president and CEO on May 1. Sepulveda will replace R. Tom Miller, current president and CEO, who is retiring after 41 years in various executive positions at Interstate Batteries. In addition, Len Ruby, executive vice president has announced his retirement after 25 years with the company.
Douglas Battery Names New Sales and Marketing VP
Douglas Battery recently named William Spears to the position of vice president of sales and marketing for the company’s automotive division. Spears, a 20-year veteran of the automotive industry, began his career in auto parts with Mid-American Industries (Green Light Auto). Since that time, he has developed comprehensive sales programs for some of the world’s top battery manufacturers.
Michelin Announces Price Increase Set For July
Following in the footsteps of a number of other tiremakers, Michelin Americas Small Tires (MAST) announced it will increase prices by an average of 3 percent on Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal and private and associate brand passenger and light truck tires sold in the U.S. replacement market.
AAIA Names New Director of Government Affairs
AAIA has appointed Stephanie Salmon as its new director of government affairs. Salmon previously served as the senior associate of a Washington-based government affairs firm for more than ten years, representing several manufacturing trade associations. She covered federal legislative and regulatory matters concerning health, safety, labor, tax, trade and energy issues.
Continental Tire to Reduce Production at Mayfield, Ky., Plant
Continental Tire North America, Inc. (CTNA) will reduce tire production at its Mayfield, Ky., plant, from 10,900 tires a day to 7,300, starting in July. The tiremaker has advised its employees and the local union that this action will include a workforce reduction of 200 hourly employees. CTNA said it is working with the local union to ease the transition for affected employees.
Autolite Expands Reach Into Accessories Category
Honeywell’s Autolite brand, known for spark plugs and ignition wires, has set its sights on a new market — automotive accessories. The brand is launching two new consumer-oriented lighting products. Autolite SpotGlo, a new seatbelt light designed for reading, working or playing a game while traveling, and Autolite TriGlo, a dual-purpose light source for both home and car usage. Both products will be available for order by mass merchant and automotive specialty retailers, as well as convenience stores and various other retail outlets.
Four New Companies Break into Top 10 on AASA 2004 Top Suppliers List
Four new product manufacturers have made it into the top 10 on the 2004 Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) Top 100 Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers list, which will be mailed with the May issue of Counterman magazine. The list will also be featured on its own Web page on aftermarketNews.com.
New Mobile Air Conditioning Climate Protection Goal Announced
In conjunction with Earth Day yesterday, a new partnership agreement between select members of industry, government and environmental advocacy organizations was announced. The new collaborative effort will work to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the operation of motor vehicle air conditioning (A/C) systems.
icarz Names New Executive Vice President
icarz, Inc., a leading provider of software for in-store and distributor systems, has the announced appointment of Sanjay Apte to executive vice president. Apte will be responsible for software development, delivery and support.
ASA Announces New Board of Directors
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) installed its new board of directors during the association’s annual business meeting held on April 16 and 17 in San Antonio. Geralynn Kottschade, AAM, of Jerry’s Body Shop Inc. in Mankato, Minn., was named chairman of ASA’s board of directors for 2004-05. Kottschade assumed the chairman’s post at the conclusion of the annual meeting.
Toyo to Raise Prices
Toyo Tire USA Corp. announced on Apr. 22 that it would increase prices on all consumer and commercial products. Toyo joins the ranks of other tiremakers, including Continental and Cooper, that announced price increases in the past few weeks.
Vince Daviero Named Director of Northwood’s University of the Aftermarket
Vincent Daviero has been named director of Northwood’s University of the Aftermarket, effective June 1. Daviero’s most recent position was director of training and education at Tires Plus franchise division of Bridgestone/Firestone-Morgan Tire & Auto Inc., where he produced materials for instructor-led sales training programs. His accomplishments include the conceptualization and development of instructional curricula and on-site instructor-led training programs.