Executive Interview with Kathleen Schmatz, President and CEO of AAIA
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Kathleen Schmatz, President and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). Schmatz became president and CEO of AAIA on Jan. 1, 2004. She had served as executive vice president of the association since January 2002. In addition to filling us in on her first few months at her new post, Schmatz shared with aftermarketNews.com updates on AAIA’s merger with AWDA, Right to Repair legislation and the Be Car Care Award Campaign.
Dura Automotive Standardizes Manufacturing Operations
Dura Automotive Systems has announced it will standardize its North American manufacturing operations on QAD MFG/PRO eB2 and related applications. QAD Inc. is a provider of enterprise applications for global manufacturers. QAD Global Services will work together with Dura to provide consulting and implementation services. Dura will deploy MFG/PRO eB2 at nine production sites and upgrade 11 other locations in North America. Dura said it expects QAD applications will help streamline manufacturing and enterprise functions shared by multiple locations, enable more efficient financial management and accelerate information transfer along the supply chain.
Campaign to Bring Back the “Midas Touch”
Midas wants to return to its core value of trust with the resurrection of a marketing campaign first used in Midas advertising in the 1980s. The company’s new national advertising agency DDB Chicago is collaborating with Ogilvy & Mather Toronto on the “Trust the Midas Touch” campaign. The campaign will include commercials that take place in a Midas shop and show a humorous dialog between a customer of Midas and a Midas service employee, who is hooked up to a polygraph machine. The commercials are the first in a long-term campaign to grow Midas’ category-leading shares in brakes and exhaust and to support the expansion of its services, including oil changes and other routine maintenance services.
Save the Date: MEMA Legislative and Public Policy Summit – Advancing American Manufacturing, May 5-6
MEMA and its market segment associations – AASA, HDMA and OESA – will host the inaugural “MEMA Legislative and Public Policy Summit: Advancing American Manufacturing” on Thursday and Friday, May 5-6 in Washington, DC. The Summit has been created to raise awareness among Washington policymakers of the supplier industry’s many contributions to the nation’s economy. MEMA intends to bring members to Washington, DC, to collectively share their priorities and concerns with members of Congress and the Bush administration. While in Washington, they will discuss best practices in government affairs for our industry, and provide updates and dialogue on legislative, regulatory and political developments from senior administration officials, members of Congress and other experts.
Bridgestone Americas’ Lampe To Retire
John Lampe, chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas Holding, who led the company’s remarkable recovery after devastating tire recalls in late 2000 and early 2001, announced today that he is retiring effective Mar. 31. He will be succeeded as chairman and CEO of BAH by Mark Emkes, currently chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT). Lampe announced his retirement this afternoon during a company-wide live Web cast and conference call. In addition, Lampe and Emkes granted Tire Review an exclusive in-depth interview about the retirement and the company’s future plans earlier this morning.