MEMA Holds First Automotive Suppliers’ Legislative and Public Policy Summit
Automotive suppliers, members of Congress and federal agency heads met to discuss automotive safety, energy and the environment, international trade and soaring health care and pension costs during the “MEMA Legislative and Public Policy Summit: Advancing American Manufacturing,” held May 5-6 in Washington, D.C.
Yokohama Tire Signs Distribution Agreement with American Car Care Centers
Yokohama Tire Corp. and American Car Care Centers (ACCC) have signed a distribution agreement through which Yokohama will provide ACCC’s members access to its full line of products. Yokohama will supply ACCC with its core products including the AVS, AVID and Geolandar lines of tires.
GKN Driveline Names New Managing Director of Operations
Philippe Cabassol has been named managing director of operations for GKN Driveline Americas. Cabassol replaces Richard Best, who was recently named strategic director for global projects.
Lean Manufacturers Recognized for Excellence
Ten automotive suppliers are among the recipients of the 2004 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing. Dubbed the “Nobel prize of Manufacturing” by Business Week magazine, the Shingo Prize recognizes manufacturers who follow Toyota’s LEAN manufacturing principles. Administered by the College of Business, Utah State University, nine state-level awards and a public-sector category, primarily for Military Depots doing re-manufacturing, have been implemented in recent months.
Federal-Mogul and Champion Brands Strike Multi-Year Licensing Deal
Federal-Mogul Corp. and Champion Brands, LLC have announced a long-term licensing agreement adding the Champion “Bow Tie” logo to a line of performance additives for automotive, heavy truck, marine and specialty industries. The new products are in addition to the full line of performance additives and lubricants Champion Brands currently manufactures. The new line will be targeted to national accounts and mass merchants channels.
TRW Gets Rolling: After a massive IPO, Supplier Faces Hurdles
John Plant, chief executive of newly independent TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., remembers when his company was a corporate stepchild. As the auto-parts unit of former industrial conglomerate TRW Inc., it didn’t get favorable treatment, even when it generated cash for the business.
Sell-Out Inventory Management Seminar Shows Industry’s Interest in Topic
The University of the Aftermarket’s Inventory Management Seminar, held March 8-9, drew a sell-out crowd, revealing the topic’s high interest to the industry. The event was hosted by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the aftermarket segment association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). The seminar gave participants a better understanding of the fundamentals of inventory control management and the purchasing process. Major areas of focus were distribution center inventory management, store inventory management and supply chain inventory management.
Visteon Produces Officially Licensed NASCAR Performance Windshields for Aftermarket
Visteon has signed an agreement to be the exclusive manufacturer of Officially Licensed NASCAR Performance Windshields. This is the second Visteon aftermarket product line to be featured as an Officially Licensed NASCAR Performance product — the first was radiators.
Foreign Countries Try to Lure Auto Jobs
Luis Salazar’s booth is one of the largest at the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress, with four columns, flags and several comfortable leather chairs. But with space that rivals General Motors Corp.’s and Ford Motor Co.’s exhibits, Salazar isn’t pushing cool 21st-century technology, sensors or car parts — he’s pushing Mexico. If you have jobs, the Mexican deputy trade commissioner has plenty of land, workers and a proven track record with the auto industry to offer.
Executive Interview with Howard Kesten, President and Founder of Workboards
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Howard Kesten, president and founder of Workboards, which launched the automotive job site, aftermarketJobs.com, in December 2003. A two-time guest speaker at AAPEX, Kesten is also founder and CEO of APA Search, Inc., an executive search and human resources consulting firm serving the automotive industry. In 18 years, he has placed more than 1,600 automotive professionals. Join us as Kesten provides an introduction to aftermarketJobs.com and shares with us his predictions for the future of the aftermarket and the job market.