Prolong International Appoints Two New Board Members
Prolong International Corp., parent company of Prolong Super Lubricants, which manufactures patented consumer automotive, commercial/industrial and household products, has appointed Cary Fitchey and Robert Lautz as members of its board of directors. Fitchey and Lautz fill existing vacancies on the board.
Visteon Presents Summit Award to the GM of Its Shanghai Joint Venture
The general manager of Visteon’s automotive electronics joint venture in Shanghai, China, has been presented with company’s highest form of recognition — a Summit Award — for exceptional accomplishments in 2003. Alfeu Doria, general manager, YanFeng Visteon Electronics, was one of six individuals and teams recognized with Summit Awards by Visteon Chairman and CEO Peter Pestillo and President and COO Michael Johnston.
GKN Names New Driveline Global Director-Ford Sales
Jim Voeffray has been named global director for Ford Group accounts at GKN Driveline. He will be based out of GKN’s Auburn Hills, Mich., technical center and will report to Ted Rodewig, executive director of marketing.Voeffray has been with GKN for six years and held positions as account director for Ford Americas and Ford Europe. In his new position, Voeffray will oversee all GKN Driveline projects with Ford Motor Co. and its global affiliates.
Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance Adds Warehouse Distributor
Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance (Alliance) has added Norwood Motor Parts Co. to its membership. Based in Brockton, Mass., the warehouse distributor brings with it 20 Allied Auto Parts stores. With this addition, the Alliance’s membership now reaches 56 shareholders with combined sales in excess of $3 billion.
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.
TRW Gets Rolling: After a massive IPO, Supplier Faces Hurdles
John Plant, chief executive of newly independent TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., remembers when his company was a corporate stepchild. As the auto-parts unit of former industrial conglomerate TRW Inc., it didn’t get favorable treatment, even when it generated cash for the business.
Cooper Unveils New TV, Print Ad Campaign
Cooper Tire & Rubber has unveiled a multi-million dollar advertising campaign aimed at reinforcing the tire brand’s performance and value. The campaign adds to Cooper’s tag line, “Don’t Give Up a Thing,” with an additional message, “Get Everything You Want.” The ads focus on emotional considerations of buying tires, rather than product features. The campaign involves three, 30-second television spots and seven print ads.
Linamar Corp. Launches New Automotive North American Sales Organization
Leading Canadian automotive and industrial manufacturer Linamar Corp. has created a new North American sales force in an effort to enhance customer service and strengthen its product focus. The past year was one of major growth and expansion for the company. In addition to building a new plant in Ontario that added 400 jobs, the company bought out its joint venture partner Westcast in a European joint venture the two companies had established in 1999. In September 2003, the company acquired McLaren Performance Technologies, which it planned to merge with Linamar. McLaren Performance Technologies specializes in advanced powertrain and vehicle development and testing for the automotive industry.
Sell-Out Inventory Management Seminar Shows Industry’s Interest in Topic
The University of the Aftermarket’s Inventory Management Seminar, held March 8-9, drew a sell-out crowd, revealing the topic’s high interest to the industry. The event was hosted by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the aftermarket segment association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). The seminar gave participants a better understanding of the fundamentals of inventory control management and the purchasing process. Major areas of focus were distribution center inventory management, store inventory management and supply chain inventory management.
Fenwick Automotive Products Founder Passes Away
Reuben Fenwick, founder of Fenwick Automotive Products, died on Wednesday, March 17. He was 79-years-old. Fenwick founded the remanufacturing business in 1949. The business, which began as a small two-man operation, grew to become one of North America’s leading remanufacturing businesses. Today, the business includes a production facility in Toronto that employs 800, in addition to six warehouses in Canada and one in the U.S.