Exide Technologies Names New President for Transportation Americas Division
Exide Technologies has announced the appointment of Edward J. (E.J.) O’Leary, as president – transportation Americas, effective June 6. O’Leary succeeds Randy Siuda, who has left the company to pursue other opportunities. O’Leary has more than 25 years of management experience in the automotive industry and most recently served as president – The Americas at Oetiker Inc. His prior experience includes CEO of iStarSystems, vice president sales and distribution – The Americas at Federal-Mogul Corp., executive vice president sales and marketing at Cooper Automotive and national sales manager – Monroe Auto Equipment Co. at Tenneco Inc.
Eleven Suppliers Win Prestigious 2005 Automotive News PACE Awards
Eleven automotive suppliers have won 2005 Automotive News PACE Awards for innovation. Two automotive manufacturers were also honored with the first-ever Automotive News PACE Innovative OEM Collaborator Awards during the program.
Record-Setting Crowd at HDMA Breakfast Hears PACCAR’s Plimpton
The HMDA Breakfast & Briefing during the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS)a drew standing-room-only crowd to hear Tom Plimpton, president of PACCAR Inc. In his comments to the more than 650 attendees, Plimpton predicted a “robust market” for the heavy-duty sector. He also highlighted the increasing importance of information technology in the sector, noting that PACCAR has invested more than $1 billion in its IT services during the past 10 years.
Monroe ‘Safe All-Around’ Campaign to Reward Consumers for Getting New Shocks and Struts
Tenneco Automotive’s Monroe brand is backing its 50,000-mile ride control service recommendation with a promotion that will reward qualifying consumers with comeback certificates valued up to $80 and entries into a grand-prize sweepstakes.
AutoPartsSource Announces Executive Appointments
Undercar parts manufacturer AutoPartSource (APS) has appointed George Greene, AAP, to the post of vice president of sales and marketing. A 20 year veteran of the aftermarket, Greene will be responsible for all sales activity including traditional and group sales, and the overall management of the direct and rep agency sales force. In related news, Lenny Chapman has moved to the role of director of sales and marketing administration. Chris Kern has been appointed vice president and general manager.
Northwood Senior Named First Recipient of the Harvey Diedrich Advantage Scholarship
Brian Lesiewicz, a senior studying automotive aftermarket management at Northwood University, has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Harvey Diedrich “Advantage” Scholarship. The Harvey Diedrich “Advantage” Scholarship fund was established in 2003 by friends of the longtime aftermarket executive who created innovative marketing programs for Tenneco Automotive’s Monroe Shocks and Struts and Walker Exhaust product lines. Diedrich died in June 2003.
Car Care Council Women’s Board Announces Winners of the Automotive Communications Awards
The Car Care Council Women’s Board (WB) has announced the winners of the new Automotive Communications Awards (ACA). The awards were presented during the Women’s Board reception on Tuesday, Nov. 2 in Las Vegas, during AAPEX. The Automotive Communications Awards recognize companies/agencies that provide automotive information through outstanding advertising, marketing and PR efforts. The business-to-consumer awards have 14 categories for entry targeted to women, including car care clinics and direct mail piece or campaign/newsletter. The business-to-business awards consist of 21 categories with such options as logo design and special promotions and promotional events/trade show.
Live from AAPEX: Scott Meyer Presented MEMA’s Prestigious Triangle Award
Scott Meyer, retired president of Ken-Tool in Akron, Ohio, and past chairman of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association’s (MEMA) , was presented the Triangle Award, MEMA’s highest honor, last night during the association’s Executive Reception in Las Vegas.
2005 Automotive News Pace Award Finalists Named
More than 30 automotive suppliers have been named finalists in the 11th annual Automotive News PACE Award competition. Open to suppliers that contribute products, processes, materials or services directly to the manufacture of cars or trucks, the PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers’ Contribution to Excellence) Award is presented by Automotive News, Capgemini and Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.). Judges selected 23 finalists and 10 honorable mention awardees based on extensive written responses to the 2005 PACE Award application. Finalists will now host site visits by industry, academic and business leaders to select the winners, which will be announced in April during the Society of Automotive Engineers conference in Detroit. Judges will evaluate each company’s innovation as well as its management team.
Dupont Teflon Car Care Products Marks Strong First Year with Events at Key NASCAR Race
An automotive technician from Reading, Pa., will meet NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Jeff Gordon, and the DuPont Teflon Car Care brand will be featured on Gordon’s No. 24 Chevrolet as the new line of car care products celebrates its successful first year during Saturday’s UAW-GM Quality 500.