The Tour D’AAPEX Begins: Team IMC Departs Los Angeles for Las Vegas
Team IMC, a group of cyclists made up of employees from Interamerican Motor Corporation (IMC) and industry partners, has departed Los Angeles for a four-day, 366-mile bicycle ride to Las Vegas. The planned arrival date in Las Vegas is Oct. 28. The team will ride more than 90 miles a day on average, with two of the four stages taking place on historic Route 66. The ride is also serving as a conduit to raise funds and awareness for issues that will impact the automotive aftermarket industry. This years’ issue is the challenge that telematics poses to all areas of the aftermarket.
Uni-Select Enters Into Agreement to Buy RPDL in Ontario
Uni-Select has entered into an agreement in principle providing for the purchase of all of the assets of Replacement Parts Depot Limited, also known as RPDL. RPDL is an automotive replacement parts distributor that operates a large warehouse in Rexdale (Greater Toronto Area) in the Province of Ontario. RPDL is owned by and serves 22 automotive parts wholesalers and retailers and a number of independent automotive related businesses that service the Ontario market. As it completes the acquisition of the assets, Uni-Select will also enter into long-term supply agreements with the 22 shareholders of RPDL.
iATN Forum Tops 1 Million Mark
BREA, CA — The number of messages posted in forums on the International Automotive Technicians’ Network (iATN) recently broke the 1 million mark. iATN currently has 20 different topic-specific forums on its website, www.iatn.net. Topics cover every aspect of the automotive service industry from technical theory and technical tips to shop management and industry issues.
The Evolution of Aftermarket Product Lines, Part Four: Questions and Answers
Technology and the global economy are forcing the industry to ask some fundamental questions about the way suppliers and distributors address the products they make, buy and sell. In part four of a five-part series, Dave Caracci continues to look at some of these questions and offers some possible answers.
Raybestos Brand Brakes Customer Gets to “Be a Pit Crew Member” for a Day
Mike and Kimberly Graham of Paces Ferry Exxon in Atlanta, won an experience most NASCAR fans can only dream of – a weekend spent in Charlotte at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, with exclusive access to the garages and pits and even a ride with Raybestos Rookie Juan Pablo Montoya – all courtesy of Raybestos brand brakes, the official brakes of NASCAR. The Grahams were the Grand Prize winners of the “Raybestos Pit Crew Member for a Day Sweepstakes,” which granted them the opportunity to be honorary members of the Robert Yates pit crew.
Northwood University to Honor Seven Aftermarket Professionals
Northwood University will honor seven automotive aftermarket leaders with its annual Automotive Aftermarket Education Award on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. The awards will be presented during a luncheon at the annual Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo Show (AAPEX). Northwood’s Automotive Aftermarket Education Award recognizes leaders for their contributions to the educational process in the automotive aftermarket field. The award was created to insure that these individuals receive national recognition for their efforts to improve education inside and outside the industry.
BodyShop Business Selects Its 2008 Collision Repair Shop Executive of the Year
BodyShop Business magazine has awarded Gary Wano, executive vice president of G.W. and Son Auto Body Shop, Inc., in Oklahoma City with its 2008 Collision Repair Shop Executive of the Year Award. The award has been given annually since 1984 to a true collision repair visionary, someone who has experienced great success by being forward-thinking, overcoming challenges and persevering.
The Evolution of Aftermarket Product Lines, Part Two
The complexities of today’s aftermarket product lines challenge every distributor and manufacturer. How did we get to this point and how will the future of domestic and off-shore sourcing shape tomorrow’s aftermarket? This week in a five-part series, Dave Caracci writes about new dynamics in the ever-changing supplier/distributor relationship. Today we bring you part two of a five-part series.
Delphi Shareholder Pay Plan Opposed
From Detroit Free Press DETROIT — Bondholders in Delphi Corp.’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy case are protesting the company’s plan to pay shareholders to settle two class actions against the company. In court papers filed Friday, five investment groups holding at least $420 million in notes objected to Delphi’s plan that treats these shareholders, usually the
Omnitek Selected as Solution Provider for ZFTNA
MISSION VIEJO, CA — ZF Trading (ZFT) has selected Omnitek Information Systems to assist them in upgrading the ZF Trading North America Computerized Automotive Research System (CARS) for use by all of ZF’s global companies. ZF Trading has already successfully implemented the system with full compatibility to TecDoc standards in Europe. Now, the company would