Uni-Select’s Richard Roy Shares More Details on Beck/Arnley Acquisition and Uni-Select’s Plans for the U.S.
On Friday, aftermarketNews reported that Uni-Select has entered into an agreement to purchase Beck/Arnley Worldparts Corp. and its Canadian subsidiary Beck/Arnley Worldparts Canada ULC. This morning, aftermarketNews spoke with Uni-Select President and CEO Richard Roy, who shared some additional details about the acquisition as well as the company’s long-term plans for the U.S.
Metaldyne Completes Closure of Three U.S. Locations
PLYMOUTH, Mich. — Metaldyne has completed the closure of two of its U.S. manufacturing plants and one commercial office to adjust for excess capacity caused by lower vehicle sales from its North American customers and to reduce structural costs in fiscal 2008. "The economic dynamics in North America has created production softness for some time
Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies Dedicated at Northwood University
The automotive aftermarket is big business, Northwood University President Keith Pretty commented during Thursday’s dedication of the Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies. “In fact, it’s very big business,” he said, adding the industry’s annual revenues are approaching $300 billion. “This is bigger than the gross national product of many nations around the globe.” And Northwood is an integral part of the equation to help keep the economic engine of the automotive aftermarket humming along, Pretty believes.
UPDATED: Uni-Select to Acquire Beck/Arnley
Uni-Select has entered into an agreement to purchase of the assets of Beck/Arnley Worldparts Corp. and its Canadian subsidiary Beck/Arnley Worldparts Canada ULC, both automotive replacement parts distributors specialized in parts for foreign nameplate vehicles. According to Uni-Select, the acquired business will be the cornerstone of a strategic initiative to improve parts coverage in order to better service the growing import nameplate component of the North American fleet of vehicles and will be the start of a new Foreign Nameplate Division at Uni-Select Inc.
Federated Honors Outstanding Members
Federated Auto Parts presented its most prestigious member awards at its annual meeting held April 23-26 in Dallas. Mike Jacabacci of Woodbury Automotive Warehouse was presented with the Art Fisher Memorial Membership Award. Cliff Hovis of Hovis Auto & Truck Supply was named the Co-Man Member of the Year and Duke Young of Pat Young Service Co. was selected as the Outstanding Marketing Member of the Year. The late Marvin Mastroff, a longtime Federated member, was honored with a special Art Fisher Memorial Award, which was accepted by his son Russell Mastroff.
2009 AASA Vision Conference to Build on Successful 2008 Event
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) has announced the date and location of its second annual Vision Conference, scheduled to take place Tuesday and Wednesday, March 10-11, 2009, at the InterContinental Chicago O’Hare. "The AASA Vision Conference 2009 program will continue in the same format as our highly successful inaugural
The Week in Review (May 5-9, 2008)
By Amy Antenora The Week in Review offers a snapshot of the most highly read stories of the week as seen on aftermarketNews. To access the complete stories, simply click on the highlighted links. If you missed reading one of our daily news emails, just click on the link that says "News Archives" at the
Herman Trend Alert: Social Responsibility is Good Strategy
Many indicators point to the fact Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a wise business strategy. In our book, "How to Become an Employer of Choice," we discuss why people want to work for companies that are good corporate citizens. One of the elements of being an Employer of Choice is "Making a Difference." We know, when employers give their people opportunities to make a difference that the workers feel more "bonded" to the organization. In these times of a tight (and getting tighter) labor market, it is particularly important to press whichever buttons are effective in keeping people and keeping them engaged and productive.
NPD Now Offers Cooling Category Information from AAIM Panel Companies
HOUSTON – Market research firm The NPD Group has announced the availability of commercial and retail cooling category point-of sale (POS) information from all nine automotive specialty retailers and wholesale distributors in the Aftermarket Industry Monitor (AAIM). In 2007, NPD began re-releasing hard parts point-of-sale information, with cooperation from the nine AAIM panel companies and
Ford Files Design Patent Infringement Complaint on Mustang
Ford Global Technologies recently filed a Section 337 complaint at the International Trade Commission (ITC) against manufacturers and U.S. distributors of automotive collision repair parts alleging infringement of design patents for certain exterior repair parts for the 2005 Ford Mustang. This follows a 2005 ITC complaint by Ford that alleged infringement of design patents for 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 F-150s. An administrative law judge of the ITC ruled that seven of 10 design patents directed to parts for the Ford F-150 truck were enforceable and infringed Ford’s design patents, but agreed with Keystone Automotive Industries and other companies that had vigorously contested the case that three patents were invalid due to Ford’s prior public use of the designs. The ITC then issued a cease and desist order to stop the importation of these parts into the United States.