MPA Receives Supply Contract Extension Worth Approximately $50 Million
Motorcar Parts of America (MPA) has received an exclusive three-year extension of a supply contract for new and remanufactured alternators and starters from a major automotive retailer, with estimated aggregate sales of approximately $50 million. Terms were not disclosed.
Exide Technologies Names Phil Damaska Executive Vice President and CFO; Francis Corby to Retire
Exide Technologies has appointed Phillip Damaska, 53, as the company’s new executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective April 1, 2008. Damaska brings more than 30 years of experience to his new role at Exide. He joined the company in January 2005 as vice president, Finance, and was subsequently appointed vice president and corporate controller in August of that same year. Since March 2006, Damaska has held the position of senior vice president and corporate controller. From 1996 through 2004, Damaska held a variety of positions at Freudenberg-NOK, the joint venture partnership between Freudenberg and Company in Germany and NOK Corporation in Japan. During his tenure, he served as president of Corteco, an automotive and industrial seal supplier that is part of the Freudenberg-NOK global group of companies.
SEMA to Showcase This Year’s Most Accessory Friendly Cars at Chicago Auto Show
DIAMOND BAR, CA – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) will display this year’s most accessory-friendly vehicles at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, scheduled to take place Feb. 8-17 at McCormick Place. The vehicles that will be on display are the 2008 SEMA Design Award winners, including the Nissan Titan (truck); Cadillac CTS (car); Hummer
Herman Trend Alert: The Natives are Restless — Again
From “Herman Trend Alert,” by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists GREENVILLE, SC — A global survey of 4,500 workers indicates that more people anticipate leaving their employers this year than last. In the 2006 BlessingWhite study, 65 percent said that they expected to “definitely” remain with their employers through the year. In
Continental AG Sees Promise in Low-Cost Cars, Expands R&D in Emerging Markets
Continental AG is confident the booming low-cost cars segment is a profitable one and will expand R&D capacities in emerging markets, chief technical officer Karl-Thomas Neumann said. The German automotive parts maker supplies India’s low-cost Tata Nano car with fuel injectors and sensors to measure fluid levels. The car developed by Tata Group is estimated to cost some $2,500, plus taxes.
DCR Systems Launches ‘Lean’ Collision Repair Process Licensing Company
In response to significant demand, Mentor, Ohio-based DCR Systems has launched a new company, DCR Intellectual Property Co. The DCR Intellectual Property Company operating system is based on ‘lean manufacturing’ principles, which eliminate many of the inefficiencies associated with auto body repair.
Pamela Carter Promoted to President of Cummins Distribution Business
NASHVILLE, TN — Cummins Inc. has promoted Pamela Carter, president of Cummins Filtration, to the role of president – Cummins Distribution Business, effective today. She succeeds Rich Freeland, who was named president of Cummins’ Components group following the recently announced retirement of Rick Mills. In her new role, Carter will oversee the company’s global distribution
Executive Interview with Chicago Pneumatic’s Jay Lewis
Today’s Executive Interview features Jay Lewis, GM Charlotte Operations & Chicago Pneumatic Vehicle Service Americas, for Chicago Pneumatic. In this role he provides strategic support for the growth and development of the Chicago Pneumatic Vehicle Service market in the Americas. A 23-year tool and compressor industry veteran, Lewis joined Chicago Pneumatic in 2002. Prior to joining the company, he held multiple sales and management positions in the tool and compressor industry. Lewis holds a bachelor of general studies degree in marketing from the University of Iowa.
Pete and Lorraine Kornafel Honored as Outstanding Business Leaders
Northwood University recently recognized Pete and Lorraine Kornafel as two of seven nationally known business men and women at its 28th Annual Outstanding Business Leader (OBL) Awards Ceremony, which was held in late January at The Breakers, Palm Beach, FL. Lakewood, CO, residents, the Kornafels, share a passion for the automotive parts business and for helping young minds achieve their greatest potential.
Dana Emerges from Chapter 11; Former GM Exec Named to Succeed Mike Burns as Executive Chairman, CEO
Dana Holding Corp. has emerged from Chapter 11 reorganization. The company said it is now positioned to compete vigorously in the global automotive, commercial vehicle and off-highway markets. In conjunction with emergence, Dana’s new Board of Directors has elected John Devine executive chairman and acting CEO. Devine is the former vice chairman and chief financial officer of General Motors Corp.