Executive Interview with Tony Perticari, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Crown Remanufacturing
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Tony Perticari, a 35-year veteran of the automotive parts industry. Perticari joined Philadelphia-based Crown Remanufacturing in 1986. He currently serves as vice president of sales and marketing for the company and is responsible for all NAFTA and overseas sales and marketing activities. Join us as Tony Perticari tells us what makes Crown tick, and what it takes to stay ahead of the pack. He also shares with us his predictions for the future of the reman industry, and the company.
MACS, Four Seasons Sponsor Car Care Council Women’s Board Scholarships
The Car Care Council Women’s Board has announced that the Mobile Air Conditioning Society Worldwide (MACS) and Four Seasons, Inc., a division of Standard Motor Products, Inc., have each agreed to sponsor a $500 scholarship for a female student interested in entering the automotive aftermarket.
NHTSA’s Runge, Continental Teves’ Kozyra to Speak at Automotive Suppliers’ Legislative and Public Policy Summit
Dr. Jeffrey Runge, administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), will be joined by William Kozyra, president and CEO of Continental Teves North America, on Thursday, May 6, for a discussion on automotive safety, at the MEMA Legislative and Public Policy Summit: Advancing American Manufacturing, in Washington, D.C. Runge and Kozyra will discuss such topics as NHTSA’s and Congress’ views toward encouraging voluntary industry guidelines vs. mandates and how industry and government should address innovation and technology out-pacing regulation.
Dana’s John Washbish to Discuss Technology and Training at GAAS
John Washbish, president of Customer Relationship Management for the Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group, will discuss “Technology and Training in Today’s Aftermarket” on Tuesday, May 18, at the ninth annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS). GAAS 2004 will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 18-19, at the Hyatt Regency, Chicago.
J.L. French Has Less Red Ink for Quarter
Sheboygan-based auto parts supplier J.L. French Automotive Castings said Wednesday its restructuring efforts helped narrow its loss to $7 million in the fourth quarter from $70.5 million in the same quarter a year earlier.
NHRA Tour de Force Storms Detroit
Legendary hot-rodder and storyteller John Force wants a major drag racing strip in the Detroit area, and he’s willing to invest time and money to make it happen. Force, the king of funny cars and one-liners, was in town last week for the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress at Cobo Center, in Detroit. His job: to chat with engineers and shake hands with backers, including Ford Motor Co. executives, who support his passion to go fast over a quarter-mile.
Dura Automotive Standardizes Manufacturing Operations
Dura Automotive Systems has announced it will standardize its North American manufacturing operations on QAD MFG/PRO eB2 and related applications. QAD Inc. is a provider of enterprise applications for global manufacturers. QAD Global Services will work together with Dura to provide consulting and implementation services. Dura will deploy MFG/PRO eB2 at nine production sites and upgrade 11 other locations in North America. Dura said it expects QAD applications will help streamline manufacturing and enterprise functions shared by multiple locations, enable more efficient financial management and accelerate information transfer along the supply chain.
Jeff Schuster Tapped to Lead Global Forecasting Department at J.D. Power; Dr. Wynn Bussmann to Retire in April
J.D. Power and Associates has named Jeff Schuster to lead its automotive global forecasting services department at the firm’s Troy, Mich., office. Schuster, who was recently promoted to senior director of North American Forecasting, has been with J.D. Power and Associates since 1996. In his new position, Schuster replaces Dr. Wynn “Van” Bussmann, who retires April 3. Bussmann, who has led Global Forecasting since joining the firm in July 2001, will be on a retainer and serve as an advisor for the forecasting business for the balance of the year.
Small is Satisfactory: Dura Builds a Niche
So it’s not as big as Delphi. It doesn’t employ as many as Lear. But Lawrence Denton, chief executive for Dura Automotive Systems Inc., says he’s satisfied with his company’s size. Dura, he says, is just better off being small.
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.