High Schoolers Earn Certifications from Industry
A diploma isn’t the only important document that some students have in hand when they graduate from high school these days. A growing number of students, educators say, are graduating with specific, industry-defined skills certifications that can have immediate value in the job market. Industries in which such certification is available include computer maintenance, automotive repair, nursing, graphic arts and food service.
TBC Reports Record Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results
TBC Corp., one of the nation’s leading marketers of automotive replacement tires, reported record sales and earnings for the fourth quarter and year, which ended December 31, 2003. Net sales in the fourth quarter increased 33.5 percent to $370.7 million, compared to $277.8 million in the prior-year period. Same store sales for TBC’s retail segment increased 4.5 percent in the fourth quarter. TBC’s total unit tire sales increased 10.7 percent in the fourth quarter, compared to a 2.2 percent increase in unit shipments by tire manufacturers based on preliminary reports.
Clemson Nabs Top Leader For Auto Project
The new director of Clemson’s automotive research center drives a minivan, but Robert Geolas does not recall how many pistons it packs. Geolas, a North Carolina State grad, said his Honda CRV was built in 1991. Or was that 1992? His wife once told him he did not have enough automotive experience to change a tire. “I hope they didn’t hire me to be an automotive expert,” Geolas said. But Geolas said there are plenty at Clemson. He said the university has automotive engineering talent and the vision to build a graduate program designed to attract research and higher-paying jobs to South Carolina.
SEC Investigates Goodyear
The federal Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating accounting problems at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., the world’s largest tire maker said. News of the investigation sent Goodyear shares down 96 cents, or nearly 10 percent, to close at $8.96 on the New York Stock Exchange. The stock had been rebounding recently as the company pushed a new line of tires that analysts said could help make Goodyear profitable again.
Cavanaugh Named Assistant Treasurer at Goodyear
Goodyear Tire & Rubber has named John Cavanaugh assistant treasurer. Cavanaugh joined Goodyear in July 2003 as director, treasury. Prior to that, he had been director of capital markets for Visteon. Cavanaugh joined the autoparts maker in June 2000 as manager of cash and pension investments. He worked at Kmart Corp. in financial analysis and treasury from 1998 to 2000.
ArvinMeritor Launches Search for CEO Successor
ArvinMeritor’s board of directors has retained an international executive search firm to identify a successor to Larry Yost, chairman and CEO. Yost said he will remain in his current capacity until a successor is found.
Deadline Approaching for Participation In Top Aftermarket Suppliers List
The deadline for participation in the 2004 Top Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers List, published by Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the aftermarket segment of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), has been extended to Friday, Feb. 13. Produced by Babcox Publications, this multi-page, full-color publication will feature insightful information on the largest suppliers to the automotive aftermarket. The form to participate is available online at http://www.aftermarketnews.com/top70.asp. The 2003 AASA Top Aftermarket Suppliers list is also available at the link.
Champion Appoints a New President
John Evans, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Champion Laboratories, has been named president of the Albion, Ill.-based automotive parts manufacturer. Evans, a native of Vincennes, Ind., has been with Champion Laboratories for 20 years. He replaces Tom Mowatt, who has taken retirement.
“AMN Perspectives by Thomas Group: Experience at Work”
As this column unfolds over the coming months, there will be several major themes, each with a number of articles. In this first series, we’ll address operational effectiveness. We’ve chosen the inventory dilemma as the first topic, though additional installments will include the related issues of inventory management methods, performance measures, information technology and others.
MACS Presents Mobile A/C Pioneer Award
Six veteran professionals were honored with the Mobile A/C Industry Pioneer Award during the MACS 24th annual convention and trade show, held last month.