Bandag Acquires Majority Interest in Speedco
Bandag Inc. has acquired an 87.5 percent majority interest in Speedco Inc. from its founders and Shell Oil Products US. Headquartered in Cuyuga, Ind., Speedco provides quick-service truck lubrication nationwide through 26 company-owned and six licensed on-highway locations. Bandag will operate Speedco as an independent business unit.
Exploring Visionary Leadership with University of the Aftermarket
In today’s business environment, it is not enough for an effective leader to organize people and resources for the pursuit of business goals, targets and objectives. To gain the competitive advantage, you must be a visionary leader and motivate your team to be more productive, more focused and more fulfilled. Learn more about this important management tool in the University of the Aftermarket’s new leadership program, Exploring Visionary Leadership, set for Wednesday and Thursday, April 21-22, at the Marriot Rivercenter, San Antonio, Texas.
Reynolds Shareholders Re-Elect Three Board Members, Approve Stock Incentive Programs
Shareholders of The Reynolds and Reynolds Co. have approved the re-election of three board members, each for a three-year term. Re-elected were Eustace Mita, chairman and CEO of Avista Properties Worldwide LLC, Philip Odeen, former chairman of TRW Inc., and Donald Peterson, chairman and CEO of Avaya Inc.
High Schoolers Earn Certifications from Industry
A diploma isn’t the only important document that some students have in hand when they graduate from high school these days. A growing number of students, educators say, are graduating with specific, industry-defined skills certifications that can have immediate value in the job market. Industries in which such certification is available include computer maintenance, automotive repair, nursing, graphic arts and food service.
Clemson Nabs Top Leader For Auto Project
The new director of Clemson’s automotive research center drives a minivan, but Robert Geolas does not recall how many pistons it packs. Geolas, a North Carolina State grad, said his Honda CRV was built in 1991. Or was that 1992? His wife once told him he did not have enough automotive experience to change a tire. “I hope they didn’t hire me to be an automotive expert,” Geolas said. But Geolas said there are plenty at Clemson. He said the university has automotive engineering talent and the vision to build a graduate program designed to attract research and higher-paying jobs to South Carolina.
Tower Automotive to Move Dodge Ram Frame Production to Mexico
Tower Automotive has announced it will move the production of frame assemblies for the Dodge Ram light truck from its Milwaukee manufacturing facility to a facility run by the company’s joint venture partner, Metalsa S. de R.L., in Monterrey, Mexico. Tower Automotive owns a 40-percent equity interest in the venture. The move is planned for mid-2005.
MACS 2004 Convention Breaks Records
The MACS 24th annual convention and trade show, which took place in January, is reported to have broken all of MACS’ previous convention records for attendance. Registration for the event reached 2,026 this year. In addition, 41 companies participated in the society’s most generous sponsorship ever and 148 organizations exhibited in 243 booths. The MACS technical program unfolded over three days and featured 67 speakers. Five social events provided time for industry networking.
SEMA To Host Trademark Webinar
SEMA is hosting a webinar conference on “Trademarks” on Thursday, February 12 at 10 a.m. (PST). Conrad Wong of the SEMA Washington, D.C., office will address the following issues: Learn what a trademark is; What constitutes a trademark infringement; The benefits of a federal trademark registration; How to communicate with the Patent and Trademark Office, and more.
Cavanaugh Named Assistant Treasurer at Goodyear
Goodyear Tire & Rubber has named John Cavanaugh assistant treasurer. Cavanaugh joined Goodyear in July 2003 as director, treasury. Prior to that, he had been director of capital markets for Visteon. Cavanaugh joined the autoparts maker in June 2000 as manager of cash and pension investments. He worked at Kmart Corp. in financial analysis and treasury from 1998 to 2000.
CBS News to Address Insurer-Owned Shop Issues This Week, ASA’s Ron Pyle to Be Featured
Two CBS programs are scheduled to address the insurer-owned body shops issue this week. The first program is slated to air today, Wednesday, Feb. 11, on the CBS Evening News during its “Eye on America” segment. Ron Pyle, ASA’s president and chief staff executive, was recently interviewed for the segment at ASA’s headquarters in Bedford, Texas. Pyle will provide follow-up coverage on this issue when he is interviewed again by CBS during an appearance on The Early Show Thursday, Feb. 12.