Executive Interview with Guy Bargnes, Director of Marketing, North American Operations for BASF Corp. Refinish Group
Guy Bargnes has spent his entire life in the collision repair industry. He was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, where his father ran a family business, V. H. Bargnes Co., Inc., which distributed automotive paints, supplies and equipment to area collision shops. In 1992 Bargnes joined BASF full-time, and he is now director of marketing, North American Operations, for the Refinish Group. Bargnes recently sat down to a phone interview with aftermarketNews and shared with us some of the insights from his lifelong career in the industry. Join us as Bargnes talks about BASF’s four leading principles, trends in the refinish business and the return of paint companies to industry trade shows.
Booths Now Available for the 2005 International Big R Show
Exhibit space for the International Big R Show — the annual Convention/Exposition of the Automotive Parts Remanufactuers Association (APRA) — is now available to interested suppliers. The 2005 International Big R Show will be held at the recently refurbished Riviera Hotel and Casino on Oct. 29-31. The exhibits will be on Sunday and Monday, Oct. 30 & 31. The AAPEX and SEMA Shows will also be held in Las Vegas, immediately following the “International Big R Show,” November 2-5.
MEMA Names New Director of Communications
Margaret Beck has been promoted to director of communications for the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). She formerly served as the association’s manager of communications. In her new position, Beck will be responsible for production of member communications for MEMA and its market segment associations: the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) and the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA).
The Top Ten Newsmakers of 2004
For the first time ever, Counterman magazine and aftermarketNews.com bring you The Top 10 Newsmakers of the Year. Our editorial team took a look at some of this industry’s most influential leaders and selected the 10 we believe have had a direct impact on the success of the aftermarket in 2004. Beyond that, we believe these individuals have helped set the stage for an even more productive future for our industry.
The Year in Review – A Look at the Top 10 News Stories of 2004
Whether you believe 2004 was a good or bad year for the aftermarket, no one can argue this was a big news year for our industry. The year included noteworthy shifts in leadership, mergers, acquisitions and more, most of which will significantly impact the industry for many years to come. Here’s a month-by-month look at what aftermarketNews.com considers to be biggest news events that happened in our industry in 2004.
The Marx Group Captures Three Communications Awards for ANSA Automotive
California-based marketing communications firm, The Marx Group garnered three automotive aftermarket communications awards during ceremonies held at AAPEX 2004 in Las Vegas. All three awards were presented to The Marx Group for work done on behalf of Macon, Ga.-based ANSA Automotive.
Alliance of Automotive Service Providers Holds Fall Board Meeting in Las Vegas
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP) board of directors held its Fall Board meeting on Nov. 6 in Las Vegas, in conjunction with the 2004 AAPEX show. Representatives attended from AASP-New Jersey, AASP-Massachusetts/Rhode Island, AASP-Pennsylvania/Delaware and AASP-Minnesota.
Akebono Launches Three New Product Lines
Akebono Corp. North America (ACNA) unveiled several new product lines during the 2004 AAPEX show held earlier this month in Las Vegas. All three new lines feature Akebono Ceramic Technology.
AFFINIA Exec Discusses State of Acquisition
One of the biggest news stories of the year was the sale of the Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group (AAG) to New York-based buyout firm Cypress Group, which agreed to purchase the AAG unit for approximately $1 billion. That deal was announced in early July of this year, and two months later, on Sept. 8, it was announced that Dana AAG would have a new name under its new owners – AFFINIA. aftermarketNews.com sat down with AFFINIA’s John Washbish in Las Vegas just prior to the start of the AAPEX show to update show attendees on the state of the transition. Washbish is AFFINIA president of Customer Relationship Management (CRM), a position he has held since 2003. Recently, his duties were expanded to include serving as vice president and general manager of the AFFINIA Undercar Group, which includes the Raybestos, Spicer, Aimco and McQuay-Norris brands.
AIA Honors Industry Award Winners
The Auto International Association (AIA) presented its 2004 Industry Awards in Las Vegas last Tuesday during AAPEX. Mike Brown, president of Olympus Imported Auto Parts Corp., and vice-chairman of AIA, announced the winners and made the award presentations. Now in its 16th year, the awards program recognizes manufacturers and marketers for excellence in developing high-quality products and innovative marketing programs for import cars or trucks – ranging from products that enhance performance, appearance or convenience, to the cataloging, merchandising and advertising that create awareness and fuel demand.