From the Inside: Interview with Hercules Tire President and COO Larry Seawell
Hercules Tire & Rubber Co. was formed in 1952 by a group of 21 retreaders looking to work together to bring better pricing and greater impact to their individual businesses. Over the years, Hercules expanded to become one of the top private branders in the U.S., a major player in the retreading industry, a custom rubber processor and a large nationwide tire wholesaler. Times have changed, and after shedding all of its retreading and custom rubber mixing businesses, Hercules’ 33 stockholders decided it was time to sell the rest. Enter New York private equity company FdG Associates, which led a multi-million dollar buyout of the cooperative and set in motion more changes for the venerable company.Long-time president Craig Anderson is headed toward retirement later this year, and former CFO Larry Seawell was installed as president and COO of the “new” Hercules. In his first full interview since taking the reins in May, Seawell outlined Hercules’ future and what the market can expect f
Executive Interview with Terry McCormack, President and CEO, Affinia
Every other week, aftermarketNews.com 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 catch up with Terry McCormack, president and CEO of Affinia.
Executive Interview with Rich White, Executive Director, Car Care Council and Senior Vice President, Marketing & Member Relations, AAIA
As the Car Care Council (CCC) successfully wraps up another year, CCC Executive Director Rich White (also senior VP of Marketing & Member Relations for the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA)), gives us an update on the council’s “Be Car Care Aware” initiative.
Executive Interview: A Sneak-Peak into Continental Teves’ New ATE-Branded Brake and Rotor Program
In late August, aftermarketNews’ Brian Cruickshank met with the marketing team from Continental Teves at its Frankfurt, Germany headquarters. He was invited to attend a special advance look into Continental Teves’ plans to roll out a greatly expanded all-makes premium brake and rotor program for the North American aftermarket. Cruickshank sat down with the program’s key marketing leaders to discuss the announcement, which will be officially made at the AAPEX Show in Las Vegas.
Executive Interview with Howard Laster, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Siemens VDO Service & Special Solutions Group
This week we hear from Howard Laster, director of marketing and business development for Siemens VDO Service & Special Solutions group. Headquartered in Allentown, PA, the company manufactures and markets a wide range of products including replacement hard parts, monitoring systems, instrumentation, and performance accessories for the automotive aftermarket, marine, industrial, fleet and special OEM market segments.
Executive Interview with Max Dull, President and CEO, Beck/Arnley
This week, we hear from Max Dull, president and CEO of Beck/Arnley, the import replacement parts manufacturer that recently went independent after being divested from the former Dana AAG, now Affinia. An executive with a thorough knowledge of, and background in, nearly every segment of the automotive aftermarket, Dull provides interesting insights on the future of our industry. Join us as he brings us up to speed on the newly independent Beck/Arnley and the future of the import parts market.
Executive Interview with Mac McGovern, Director of Training, KYB America
A successful independent shop owner for more than 30 years, Mac McGovern joined KYB as director of training in August of this year. Considered one of the aftermarket’s leading trainers and advisors, McGovern is implementing KYB’s innovative Ride Control Solutions from KYB program, which is helping to develop the understanding and co-operation between manufacturers, distributors and service centers in order to improve business practices and better take care of motorists’ needs.
Executive Interview with Charles E. Johnson, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Proliance International
Charley Johnson is president, CEO and director of Proliance International, Inc. based in New Haven, CT. Johnson joined Proliance (which was formed by the July 2005 merger of Transpro, Inc. and Modine Aftermarket Holdings) in March 2001, ending a broad search for a new CEO of Transpro. The company’s customers include the leaders in aftermarket automotive distribution, such as AutoZone, NAPA, Advance, Pep Boys, O’Reilly and CARQUEST, among others. AftermakretNews.com spoke with Johnson about the origins of the merger, the challenges ahead and how the name Proliance came to be.
Executive Interview with Patricia Law, Vice President and General Manager of ANSA Automotive
Patricia Law, VP and general manager of ANSA Automotive, recently sat down with aftermarketNews.com and shared her 25-plus years of market experience and some insight on the aftermarket. In addition to managing ANSA’s Macon, GA, distribution facility, she also actively supports industry initiatives and associations. She is currently serving her second term on the board of directors for AIA (Auto International) a segment of AAIA. She also recently completed the University of the Aftermarket/Northwood University Leadership 2010 Program.
AAIA’s Kathleen Schmatz and Susan Medick Discuss the Aftermarket Financial Symposium
The upcoming first-ever Aftermarket Financial Symposium (AFS), presented by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and modeled after the highly successful Aftermarket eForum, will be geared toward CFOs, financial service providers, investment analysts, CPA firms and others with interests in the automotive aftermarket. aftermarketNews.com recently sat down with Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, AAIA and Susan Medick, chief financial and operations officer, AAIA, to find out what attendees can expect at the symposium.
Executive Interview with Duane Miller, Executive Director of GM Service and Parts business channels – GM Service and Parts Operations (SPO)
This Executive Interview features Duane Miller, who is the Executive Director of GM’s Service and Parts business channels (GM Service and Parts Operations [SPO]). Miller was appointed to his position back in April 2005. He took time from his busy schedule to discuss with AftermarketNews.com his new responsibilities, the outlook of ACDelco going forward and how “Real Car Guys” know ACDelco.
Executive Interview with Jerry McCabe, Vice President, Communications & Marketing Services, Affinia
Every other week, aftermarketNews.com offers an interview with high-profile individuals in the automotive aftermarket. We give executives free rein 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. Our latest Executive Interview features Jerry McCabe, vice president, communications & marketing services, Affinia. McCabe shares his thoughts of the use of technology and standards in the industry.