Pronto Presents Awards at Fall Shareholders Conference
Several suppliers recognized for their support at Pronto Fall Shareholders meeting.
Industry Veteran Scott Shriber Named Publisher of BodyShop Business Magazine
Scott Shriber has been named publisher of BodyShop Business, a Babcox publication serving the collision repair industry. Shriber begins his new role as publisher on Monday, Aug. 25. “We look forward to the unique and in-depth industry insights Scott brings to his role as publisher of BodyShop Business,” said Bill Babcox, president of Babcox Publications. “Having grown up in his family’s jobber business, in addition to more than 30 years of professional experience in the OE and aftermarket segments, Scott has a wealth of automotive expertise to offer our organization.”
Ford Launches National Sweepstakes for Independent Installers and Body Shops
DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Customer Service Division has introduced the "2008 Summer of Savings," a national program exclusively for independent auto repair and body shops. The "2008 Summer of Savings" program is the evolution of the "When It Fits, You Win" Sweepstakes held in 2006 and 2007. The "2008 Summer of Savings" offers rebates during
From Counterman.com: Ignition System Sales in a Changing Market
Distributors started disappearing from engines back in the late 1980s and early 1990s as the automakers began to phase in distributorless ignition systems (DIS) followed by coil-on-plug (COP) ignition systems. Everybody said distributors and eventually spark plug wire sets were going away. Well, here it is more than 20 years later and auto parts stores still carry a hefty inventory of distributors, caps, rotors and spark plug wire sets. But in addition to these parts, store shelves are also stocked with DIS coil packs and COP coils. There are more SKUs than ever and the product mix is constantly changing.
Universal Mfg. Co. Releases Fiscal Year Results
Universal Mfg. Co., announced that earnings for the fiscal year ended July 31, were $4.41 per share on sales of $21 million, compared to $1.09 per share on sales of $22 million the previous year. On July 2, Universal Mfg. Co. sold its distribution subsidiary, Universal Distribution LLC. Sales for 2007 reflect 11 months of sales by that subsidiary, which distributed remanufactured Ford and Motorcraft branded engine and transmission assemblies and other powertrain related components.
AAPEX Buyers Appreciation Grand Prize is Ford Escape Hybrid
The grand prize for this year’s Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) Buyers Appreciation Contest is a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid, to be given away by long-time AAPEX exhibitor Ford Motorcraft. AAPEX will be held Oct. 30-Nov.1 at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas.
AAPEX Designates Oct. 30 as NASCAR Celebrity Day
ORLAND PARK, IL — The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) has designated its opening day on Oct. 30 as NASCAR Celebrity Day to highlight NASCAR drivers and crew chiefs attending the show. AAPEX will be held Oct. 30-Nov. 1 at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas. NASCAR drivers and crew chiefs attend AAPEX as
From Counterman.com: Managing a Moving Target
In today’s connected, electronic age, few store managers would consider going back to the “good old days” — those times not so long past when inventories were manually recorded and managed on cards. These days, the very idea of inventory cards seems like the Stone Age, and in many ways, it was. Today, the entire supply chain — from manufacturer to warehouse to store to installer — is interconnected through sophisticated store management software packages and systems that provide business information and controls that were not possible even two years ago.
Universal Manufacturing Sells Distribution Division
Universal Manufacturing of Algona, Iowa, has sold its distribution subsidiary, Universal Distribution, LLC to AER Sales, L.P. of Carrollton, TX. Universal distributes remanufactured Ford and Motorcraft branded engine and transmission assemblies and other powertrain related components, mainly to Ford dealerships. It has warehouses in Des Moines, Iowa, Omaha, NE, and Peoria, IL, and employs 10 people. According to Don Heupel, president of Universal Manufacturing, the sale will have no material effect on the operations or personnel of Universal Manufacturing, which remanufactures auto parts such as fuel pump assemblies, brake calipers, transfer cases, transfer case engagement motors at its facility in Algona.
Ford Announces New Replacement Specs for Mercon ATF
DEARBORN, MI – Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) has announced MERCON V as the replacement for MERCON Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). Effective July 1, the production and licensing for MERCON will cease. Automatic transmissions, power steering systems and manual transmissions previously requiring MERCON must, as of July 1, be serviced with MERCON V. “All transmissions