Circuit City to Sell StreetGlow Products
StreetGlow, Inc., which produces performance lighting products for the aftermarket, has announced that its Auto-Neon brand of performance lighting products will now be distributed through the national Circuit City retail electronics chain. Circuit City will offer more than one-third of StreetGlow branded products with the remainder of the line available through special order. StreetGlow products can also now be professionally installed at Circuit City.
Visteon Produces Officially Licensed NASCAR Performance Windshields for Aftermarket
Visteon has signed an agreement to be the exclusive manufacturer of Officially Licensed NASCAR Performance Windshields. This is the second Visteon aftermarket product line to be featured as an Officially Licensed NASCAR Performance product — the first was radiators.
Collins & Aikman Reveals Insider Deals
Collins & Aikman Corp. revealed Wednesday that it paid a board member $300,000 to serve as vice chairman for six months in 2002 and did millions of dollars of business with another board member. The company had failed to fully disclose details on those transactions to shareholders.
ASC Adds Marketing Coordinator/Analyst
Traci Stoddard has joined ASC Industries as the new marketing coordinator/analyst for the North Canton, Ohio-based business. Her responsibilities at ASC will include coordination of advertising, general marketing and development of collateral material for the automotive water pump division.
Akebono Receives Vendor Excellence Award from Monro Muffler Brake
Akebono Corp. has been awarded the 2003 Vendor Excellence Award from Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. Monro recognized Akebono for the successful launch of ceramic brake pads throughout the Monro chain. Akebono began supplying ceramic brake pads to Monro in late 2002.
Fenwick Automotive Products Founder Passes Away
Reuben Fenwick, founder of Fenwick Automotive Products, died on Wednesday, March 17. He was 79-years-old. Fenwick founded the remanufacturing business in 1949. The business, which began as a small two-man operation, grew to become one of North America’s leading remanufacturing businesses. Today, the business includes a production facility in Toronto that employs 800, in addition to six warehouses in Canada and one in the U.S.
Cooper Tire Re-Launches Avon Brand; Unveils Three New Lines
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has re-launched its historic Avon tire brand and also announced an exclusive distribution deal with The Tire Rack and the unveiling of three new lines. The announcement was made at a meeting attended by top Cooper officials and The Tire Rack executives at The Tire Rack’s headquarters in South Bend, Ind.
Midas Completes Debt Refinancing
Midas has entered into a three-year, $115 million credit facility to refinance its existing debt. The new facility consists of a $55 million revolving loan and a $60 million term loan from a group of lenders led by Bank One, NA.
Bosch Named Service Parts Grand Vendor of the Year by Advance Auto Parts
Advance Auto Parts has named Robert Bosch Corp. recipient of the 2003 Service Parts Grand Vendor of the Year Award. Advance presents this award to the vendor with the top overall performance in the areas of service level, product and program quality, merchandising/promotions, customer service and account management.
MACS, Four Seasons Sponsor Car Care Council Women’s Board Scholarships
The Car Care Council Women’s Board has announced that the Mobile Air Conditioning Society Worldwide (MACS) and Four Seasons, Inc., a division of Standard Motor Products, Inc., have each agreed to sponsor a $500 scholarship for a female student interested in entering the automotive aftermarket.
Jasper Engines and Transmissions Names Clevite Engine Parts a Preferred Supplier
For the eighth consecutive year, Dana Corp.’s Clevite Engine Parts has been named a “Preferred Partner” by Jasper Engines & Transmissions. The award was presented during the Jasper Engines & Transmissions Annual Preferred Partners Banquet on March 9. Out of more than 2,000 Jasper vendors, Clevite was one of only seven to earn the Preferred Partner Award.
ArvinMeritor Awarded $150 Million Suspension Module Contract
ArvinMeritor’s Light Vehicle Systems (LVS) business group has been awarded a multi-year, $150 million contract for production of front, upper-corner suspension modules for new light vehicle pickup trucks. The contract also includes rear suspension components. Production is scheduled to begin in July 2005.