Advance Auto Parts to Open New Distribution Facility in Pennsylvania; Create 500 New Jobs
Advance Auto Parts has announced plans to open a new distribution center in the Weisenberg Township, located in the Lehigh Valley of Eastern Pennsylvania. The new distribution center will serve the company’s expanding store base in the Northeast region of the U.S. The facility is expected open in the spring of 2005. Once operations are at full capacity, Advance said it anticipates that 500 new jobs will be created.
Jasper Engines & Transmissions to Purchase Remanufacturing Facility
Jasper Engines & Transmissions has purchased the assets of a former remanufacturer of gas and diesel engines. A letter of intent has been signed to purchase the 83,000-square-foot engine remanufacturing plant in Willow Springs, Mo. The plant, located approximately 60 miles east of Springfield, has been closed since December of 2003. Jasper plans to restart the plant by July 5th, producing 40 to 45 gas engines a day, and will expand into producing transmissions.
Advance Auto Parts Reports Record First Quarter 2004 Results
Advance Auto Parts has announced its revenue and earnings for its first quarter, which ended on April 24.
Speedway Motorsports’ First Quarter Results Exceed Market Expectations
Speedway Motorsports has reported revenues of $122.2 million, net income of $24.7 million and diluted earnings per share of 57 cents for the first quarter of 2004. The results exceeded market expectations, Speedway said.
Victor Reinz Names Machinist of the Year
Victor Reinz has named its Victor Reinz Machinist of the Year. Along with the AERA and the ASE, Clevite Engine Parts established the Victor Reinz Machinist of the Year Award in order to recognize the valuable contributions machinists make to the automotive rebuilding industry. This year’s award was presented at the AERA New Products Showcase in Las Vegas, Nev. on April 23, 2004.
Auto-Wares Tech Expo Grows Customers & Skills
Every spring, Auto-Wares grows customer skills through a full weekend of technician training. Inside the Lansing Convention Center in Michigan, a line snaked out of the door that lead to a room where scores of automotive technicians were preparing to take the State of Michigan Mechanic Certification test, the state’s mandatory version of the ASE exam. Inside the Lansing Convention Center in Michigan, a line snaked out of the door that lead to a room where scores of automotive technicians were preparing to take the State of Michigan Mechanic Certification test, the state’s mandatory version of the ASE exam.
Visits to Carcare.org Web Site Doubled Since January
The Car Care Council has reported that the number of monthly average visitors to its Web site, www.carcare.org have more than doubled since January. The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” campaign, educating consumers about the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair. There were 103,037 visitors to the Council’s Web site during March.
Cold Steel, Hard Times for Industrial Suppliers
On one hand, Ed Hoener is being forced to pay 30 percent more for cold-rolled steel since the start of the year. On the other are customers who won’t accept higher prices from Hoener, or fight him for months before finally paying.
ExxonMobil Brings Two New Motor Oil Formulas to Market
ExxonMobil has unveiled a new synthetic motor oil for light trucks and SUVs. The new Mobil 1 Truck & SUV Formula, designed for use in both gasoline and diesel engines, protects truck and SUV engines in high temperature conditions, according to the company. The company also recently introduced its new Mobil 1 Racing 0W-30 formula, designed to give high-performance automotive enthusiasts the same boost and protection as professional race car drivers.
American Axle Strike Causes GM to Idle Plant
In a move that already is rippling through the auto industry, about 6,500 UAW auto-parts workers hit the picket lines Thursday morning at American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. in Detroit and other cities. A 4-year contract with UAW members at American Axle, one of the world’s largest auto suppliers, expired at midnight Wednesday and the two sides could not reach a tentative agreement. By late Thursday the strike already was affecting General Motors Corp., American Axle’s biggest customer and former owner.