“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.
How’s Business?
There are some very strong signs that business will be good in 2004. Optimism among repair shop owners is as high as it’s ever been during the three years we have been tracking this data.
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.
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.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Reports Increased Earnings, All-Time Record Sales
Cooper Tire & Rubber has reported all-time record high sales of $967 million, as well as a 20 percent increase in net income for the quarter which ended Dec. 31, 2003. The record sales represent a 15 percent increase compared to the same period a year earlier, said the company. Net income increased by 20 percent to $28 million, compared to $23 million in the fourth quarter of 2002.
ArvinMeritor Announces 2004 Suppliers of the Year
ArvinMeritor has announced the winners of the company’s annual supplier awards. The awards — which were presented Jan. 29, at ArvinMeritor’s North American Supplier Conference in Troy, Mich. — recognize outstanding performance in customer service, product quality, delivery and cost reduction.
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.
Timken Receives Best Supplier Recognition from Oshkosh Truck Corp.
Timken was recently recognized as “Best Supplier” by the Oshkosh Truck Corp., a manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies for the fire and emergency, defense, concrete placement and refuse hauling markets. The recognition honors Timken’s excellent performance in delivery, quality and product support. Last year was the first year Oshkosh formally recognized suppliers with this award.
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.
Amerityre Begins FMVSS No. 109 Testing of Prototype Polyurethane Car Tires
Amerityre Corporation announced that it has been submitting prototype polyurethane car tires to an independent lab for testing to determine if the tires comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109, applicable to new pneumatic tires. FMVSS No. 109 specifies tire dimensions and laboratory test requirements for bead unseating resistance, strength, endurance and high-speed performance; defines tire load ratings; and specifies labeling requirements for passenger car tires.