Jeff Schuster Tapped to Lead Global Forecasting Department at J.D. Power; Dr. Wynn Bussmann to Retire in April
J.D. Power and Associates has named Jeff Schuster to lead its automotive global forecasting services department at the firm’s Troy, Mich., office. Schuster, who was recently promoted to senior director of North American Forecasting, has been with J.D. Power and Associates since 1996. In his new position, Schuster replaces Dr. Wynn “Van” Bussmann, who retires April 3. Bussmann, who has led Global Forecasting since joining the firm in July 2001, will be on a retainer and serve as an advisor for the forecasting business for the balance of the year.
Small is Satisfactory: Dura Builds a Niche
So it’s not as big as Delphi. It doesn’t employ as many as Lear. But Lawrence Denton, chief executive for Dura Automotive Systems Inc., says he’s satisfied with his company’s size. Dura, he says, is just better off being small.
Defining The Process Enterprise
In this week’s article we’ll deal with a fundamental question: What is a “process enterprise” and how does it differ from the kind of enterprise most of us are living in today?
American Axle Pact Ratified; Supplier Gets the Right to Negotiate 2-Tier Wages
UAW members ratified a four-year contract with American Axle & Manufacturing Inc., after a one-day strike late last month that disrupted General Motors Corp. truck production. About 68 percent of the employees voted for the contract, the union said Monday. About 68 percent of the employees voted for the contract, the union said Monday.
DST Asks: Can Your Business Measure Return on Customer Investment?
Although most businesses have the means for measuring their Return On Investment, DST has coined the term Return on Customer Investment as a more accurate method of determining profitability of the customer base. Many firms believe that their largest customers, or the ones they have been supplying for the longest time, are the most profitable ones, but access to pertinent data can contradict those assumptions.
AAIA Issues ‘Call to Action’
On Feb. 26, Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R-S.C.), introduced the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair legislation (S. 2138) in the Senate. Similar to legislation in the House (H.R. 2735), the bill would ensure that motorists retain the right to choose how and by whom their vehicles are maintained and repaired. AAIA and AWDA are strongly urging individuals and businesses involved in the industry to go to the Legislative Action Center at www.aftermarket.org and send a letter urging their senator to join Graham in supporting S. 2138.
Aftermarket Symposium Panel To Discuss Upcoming Underhood Trends for 2010
A panel of automotive aftermarket suppliers will discuss “Under the Hood Car Trends/Future 2010” at the ninth annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS). GAAS 2004 is set for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 18-19, at the Hyatt Regency, Chicago. The panel will take place at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, May 18.
Aftermarket Symposium Panel To Discuss Upcoming Underhood Trends for 2010
A panel of automotive aftermarket suppliers will discuss “Under the Hood Car Trends/Future 2010” at the ninth annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS). GAAS 2004 is set for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 18-19, at the Hyatt Regency, Chicago. The panel will take place at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, May 18.
Auto Part Suppliers Study Jobs
Automotive jobs will continue to leave Michigan, but there are remedies, says a report on the future of manufacturing to be delivered today at the opening session of the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress in Cobo Center in Detroit. The U.S. is expected to see an 11 percent drop in its automotive production jobs by 2010, according to “The Odyssey of the Auto Industry” a study conducted by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants for the Original Equipment Suppliers Association.
Technology Outpaces Would-be Technicians
Help Wanted: Automotive technician. Starting salary: $30,000. Benefits include medical insurance, plus two weeks paid vacation and two long weekends off — that’s Thursday through Sunday — a year. How difficult is it to fill a job like that in Michigan’s lackluster economy? Plenty, according to Stan Shephard, owner of Shephard’s Hi Tech Automotive in Detroit. Shephard posted his help-wanted sign 18 months ago, and today the position remains unfilled. He’s had only 15 applicants for the job.