GKN Updates Corporate Identity
Automotive driveline component supplier GKN Driveline has changed its name and logo as part of a recently adopted corporate identity program. Ted Rodewig, GKN Driveline’s marketing director, said the identity program is designed to bring new focus to the company by creating a common banner under which it will operate on a global basis.
Car Care Council Offers “Be Car Care Aware” Starter Kits for National Car Care Month
“Be Car Care Aware” point-of-sale starter kits — containing marketing and promotional materials to help businesses promote vehicle maintenance and the on-going “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign — are available just in time for National Car Care Month in April. The starter kit features National Car Care Month materials that can be used each April to celebrate and promote this national event. The kit includes “Be Car Care Aware” signage, consumer literature and the industry’s first comprehensive service interval schedule.
Two Off-Road Organizations Promise to Add Excitement to the 2004 SEMA Spring Expo
The Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) and the United Rockcrawling & Off-Road Challenge (UROC) will participate in the annual SEMA Spring Expo, which is slated to take place March 5-6 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. According to Peter MacGillivray, vice president of marketing and communications for SEMA, ORBA and UROC will bring the excitement of the rapidly growing off-road sports scene to the annual SEMA Spring Expo.
ATP-Inc. to Produce Illustrated Parts Catalog Internally Using e-Publisher
The e-Publisher catalog management system from Vertical Development Inc. (VDI) has given replacement parts supplier ATP-Inc. the capability to generate illustrated parts lists and catalogs internally, bypassing traditional typesetting and desktop publishing services. According to VDI, the system will also allow ATP to produce literature faster and export data mapped in industry-standard formats.
Lund International Announces Two Executive Appointments
Lund International has promoted Bob Schuetz to vice president of aftermarket sales. Schuetz joined Lund in October 2003 in the newly created position of vice president of new business development. Lund has also announced the appointment of John Whitten as director of sales engineering. Whitten brings with him 11 years of quality and product engineering, most recently working in automotive accessories on a contract basis for General Motors and DaimlerChrysler.
AMN Perspectives by Thomas Group: Experience at Work
In our last article we talked about inventory management as a trade-off. In most organizations there are conflicting inputs from various departments that affect inventory decisions: finance wants low inventory levels to minimize working capital costs; sales and marketing wants high inventory levels to ensure excellent customer service; production wants long-term planning with low flexibility to create high production efficiencies. Logistics wants to minimize transportation, handling and inventory holding costs.
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.
Walker Exhaust Announces Special Spring Trade Promotion
Walker Exhaust is offering a special spring trade promotion that enables undercar professionals to earn $25 gift cards, be entered into weekly $500 cash giveaways and participate in a sweepstakes drawing for a premium home theater system.
Bill Grote Names Eric Morris President and COO of Grote Industries, Grote to Assume Chairman/CEO Role
Eric Morris has been appointed to the newly created post of president and COO at Grote Industries. William (Bill) Grote III will assume duties of chairman and CEO at the 103-year-old family owned company. Grote Industries is a designer and manufacturer of vehicle safety systems. Headquartered in Madison, Ind., Grote manufactures LED and incandescent lamps, mirrors, obstacle detection systems, reflective accessories and wiring components. The company has other manufacturing plants in Toronto and Waterloo, Canada, as well as Monterrey, Mexico.
Treading a New Path
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is hoping to make a huge splash with a new high-end line of all-season tires. The Akron, Ohio-based company will roll out its Assurance line this spring with its biggest advertising blitz in more than a decade. Goodyear is counting on the new tires to help deliver a turnaround after four years of disappointing sales.