Survey Says Suppliers Should Pay More Attention to Their Brands
Suppliers must do a better job of building and utilizing their brand names, according to new research by SupplierBusiness.com. Companies make a mistake when they submerge their identities or consolidate brand portfolios out of existence, say executives who were surveyed. By having a clear brand strategy they say suppliers can capitalize on their good name and good will. The cost of developing a brand strategy is low and the risk is small. A strong brand means a company is taken more seriously in the bidding process and can open doors when trying to win new business with an OEM it has no relationship with.
IMR Founder Ken Brenneman Dies at 61
Kenneth Brenneman, Sr., founder and president of Industrial Marketing Research, an international automotive research firm, died Sunday, Dec. 28 of heart failure. He was 61-years-old. Brenneman founded Industrial Marketing Research in 1971 in Clarendon Hills, Ill., as a one-man operation. The firm quickly grew to become an international company that now serves the U.S., Europe and Asia.
Dana’s Terry Shively to be Featured on the C.A.R. Show
Terry Shively, vice president marketing and public relations for the Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group, will be featured on the C.A.R. Show radio program on Saturday, Feb. 7. The broadcast will air between 9 – 11 a.m. EST. During the broadcast, Shively will discuss the importance of preventative vehicle maintenance and the role that the Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group has played in supporting the Car Care Council’s “Be Car Care Aware” campaign. He will also discuss the need for the industry to continue to come together to capture a share of the $62 billion in unperformed vehicle maintenance.
Tenneco Automotive and Pep Boys Sign Long-Term Deal
Tenneco Automotive has announced a long-term agreement with Pep Boys to supply Monroe shock absorbers, struts and off-road Rancho products to all of Pep Boys’ stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico. Tenneco Automotive’s Monroe, Rancho and DNX shock absorbers and struts and DNX and Dynomax performance exhaust products will be available at all Pep Boys’ stores beginning in February 2004.
“DST Asks”: What Ordering Methods Do You Offer to Customers?
Forecasting the future isn’t a task restricted to tabloid psychics or your TV weatherman. Whether we like it or not, running a successful business today that will remain successful in the future requires forecasting skills.
Diedrich Scholarship Applications Due
Incoming students planning to attend Northwood University in Midland, Mich., have until March 1 to apply for the Harvey Diedrich “Advantage” Scholarship. The award of $500 will go to a deserving student, majoring in either Marketing/Management or Automotive Aftermarket Management. Applications can be submitted online at www.northwood.edu. Diedrich was a longtime contributor to the aftermarket who passed away suddenly in June 2003. The scholarship was established by Diedrich’s friends and colleagues for his innovative marketing programs for Monroe shocks and Walker mufflers. He was principal architect of the highly successful “Walker Advantage” program.
Metaldyne Names Scott Ferriman Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific
Metaldyne has promoted Scott Ferriman to senior vice president, Asia Pacific, reporting to Tim Leuliette, Metaldyne chairman, president and CEO. In this position, Ferriman will be responsible for all aspects of the company’s business in the Asia Pacific region.
Executive Interview with John Washbish, President – Customer Relationship Management, Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group (AAG)
Every other week, aftermarketNews.com offers an interview with a high-profile individual in the automotive aftermarket. We give executives free rein to express their views on anything from the state of their corporations to recent legislative news to future trends in their niche markets. Here you see what matters to the newsmakers themselves.
Comergent Technologies Acquires Profile Systems, Inc.
Comergent Technologies, a leading provider of demand chain management applications, has acquired Profile Systems, a developer of product information (PIM) and inventory management companies for business-to-business e-business. Under the terms of the agreement, Comergent Technologies has acquired all the outstanding Profile Systems shares and technology. Profile Systems employees have been retained in the West Springfield, Mass., office.
ProQuest Automotive and Hino Motors Sign First Electronic Parts Catalog Agreement
ProQuest Automotive announced that it has signed a five-year agreement with Hino Motors Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, to develop an electronic parts catalog (EPC) application for use in all of the North American dealerships of Hino Motors Sales U.S.A., Inc.