Executive Interview with Rod McKenzie, President of Penray
Rod McKenzie, president of Penray, began his business career as a sales engineer for Nalco Chemical Co. After a number of promotions at several locations, he eventually became vice president and general manager, heading five of Nalco’s business segments. One of those segments is now Penray’s Heavy-Duty Division. Penray was one of several small businesses that Nalco purchased in the mid 1980s. This acquisition strategy did not work out for Nalco, and in the early 1990’s, Nalco decided to divest all the companies it had purchased. After 25 years in the business, McKenzie saw strong similarities between Nalco’s heavy-duty segment and Penray’s automotive business, and made an offer to buy both segments in 1992. Join us as McKenzie brings us up to speed on the latest developments at Penray.
Executive Interview with Roberto Malagon, President, Remsa of America
North American brake pad manufacturer Remsa was originally founded in 1970 in Pamplona, Spain, by three independent business men. By 1981, production had reached 1 million sets, starting several expansion phases including the launch of the North American group in 1992. Remsa was acquired by Lucas Varity in 1998 which soon became TRW Automotive. Shortly thereafter, TRW began building a new manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico, which now serves the Americas. Today, Remsa is part of the Friction Materials Group of TRW Automotive. Join us as Roberto Malagon, president of Remsa of America, tells us more about this under-the-radar brake pad supplier.
Executive Interview: MEMA Leaders Discuss the Supplier’s Impact on Capital Hill
During last month’s MEMA Legislative Summit, Counterman Managing Editor Michael Freeze spoke with the people behind the association’s lobbying event: Ann Wilson, vice president of government affairs for the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA); Robert “Bob” McKenna, president and CEO of MEMA; and Steve Handschuh, executive director for the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). Taking time out from their busy schedules while at the Summit, the three discussed the importance of meeting with Congress, the issues affecting the aftermarket industry and the growing influence of the industry in Washington, D.C.
Executive Interview with Roger McCollum, President of N.A. Williams Company
Through our Executive Interview feature, we give executives free reign to express their views on anything from the state of their corporations to recent legislative news to future trends in their niche markets. Here you see what matters to the newsmakers themselves. This week, we hear from Roger McCollum, president of N.A. Williams, the Atlanta, GA-based manufacturer’s rep firm.
Executive Interview with Peter Culley, Vice President Aftermarket for PBR International Limited
Peter Culley, vice president aftermarket for PBR International Limited, has devoted his entire working life to the automotive brakes industry. With a background in mechanical engineering and extensive experience in global automotive markets, including a 25 year association with the North American market, Culley has been instrumental in orchestrating PBR’s global aftermarket expansion.
Executive Interview with Ric Alameddine, VP of Marketing and Engineering, North American Aftermarket, Tenneco
This week we talk with Richard Alameddine, vice president of marketing and engineering, North American Aftermarket, for Tenneco Inc., manufacturer of Monroe shocks and struts, Monroe premium brakes, Walker exhaust products, DynoMax performance exhaust, Rancho performance suspensions and shocks, and DuPont Car Care appearance and performance chemicals.
Executive Interview with Alexei Gurin, CEO of Amtel-Vredestein NV
Alexei Gurin is certainly putting his experience to work as CEO of Amtel-Vredestein NV and chairman of its management board. An engineer by training, Gurin earned his MBA from the University of Toronto, worked as an investment manager in Canada and other countries, was marketing director for Bennetton in Moscow, served as general director of MOST-TORG and founded Rostrade Co., a retail chain in Russia. In 2001, he joined the Amtel Group as vice president of finance, then became finance director in 2002 and general director in 2004. That year, Gurin was the point man in Amtel’s acquisition of Vredestein Banden and, most recently helped Amtel-Vredestein’s successful initial public offering of stock. In this exclusive interview, conducted as the company announced the formal entry of the Vredestein brand into the Russian tire market, Gurin discusses the acquisition and Amtel-Vredestein’s future.
Executive Interview with Greg Gyllstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Visteon’s North American Aftermarket Operations
As vice president and general manager of Visteon’s North American aftermarket operations, Gregory Gyllstrom is responsible for expanding the organization’s aftermarket business by coordinating and directing the company’s sales, product development and marketing activities. Recently, Gyllstrom shared with aftermarketNews a few insights into the underhood category as well as Visteon’s evolution from a Ford spin-off into an ‘all-makes/all-models’ supplier.
Executive Interview with Mike Coppola, CEO of Advance Auto Parts
In 2005, Mike Coppola was named the new CEO of Advance Auto, the country’s second largest, but arguably most progressive, retail chain. aftermarketNews recently met with Coppola to discuss Advance and its plans for future growth in the automotive aftermarket.
Executive Interview with Tom Aliotti, VP and GM of Activant Solutions Automotive Group
This week we talk with Thomas Aliotti, vice president and general manager of Activant Solutions automotive group. A strategic operations and sales executive with more than 20 years of experience with leading technology companies, Aliotti joined Activant in 2005. He oversees the company’s development and introduction of next-generation electronic catalog, business management and supply chain analytics solutions for distributors, jobbers, retailers, and service providers. aftermarketNews recently sat down with Aliotti for a discussion about the challenges and opportunities related to aftermarket distribution technologies.
Executive Interview with Bruce Johnston, Brand Manager, WIX Filters
Every other week, aftermarketNews offers an interview with high-profile individuals in the automotive aftermarket. We give executives free reign to express their views on anything from the state of their corporations to recent legislative news to future trends in their niche markets. Here you see what matters to the newsmakers themselves. This week, we hear from Bruce Johnston, brand manager for WIX Filters. Join us as we talk with Johnston about branding strategy, motorsports marketing and other keys to the success and longevity of the WIX brand.
Executive Interview with Bob McKenna, President and CEO of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association
This week we catch up with Bob McKenna, president and CEO of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). McKenna came to MEMA in Sept. 2005, after 35 years with Atlanta-based Genuine Parts Company (GPC). At GPC, he served as group vice president and chairman of the board for the National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA). Under his leadership, NAPA strengthened its position as a leading distributor in the traditional automotive aftermarket.