Auto Parts Industry Presses Senate To Pass Association Health Plan Bill
Ten trade associations representing the entire scope of the auto parts industry, from suppliers to aftermarket, challenged the United States Senate to enact the “Small Business Health Fairness Act” (S. 406). The bill would allow small businesses to purchase affordable health care coverage through a trade association. In a show of solidarity, the 10 groups submitted a joint letter to the Senate urging immediate support for the bill, commonly referred to as “Association Health Plans” (AHPs).
Detroit Diesel to Discuss its ‘Holistic’ Approach to Product Info
The light-vehicle aftermarket meets the heavy-duty market at the 5th annual Aftermarket e-Forum when Detroit Diesel Corporation, a global supplier of heavy-duty diesel engines and parts dealers and distributors worldwide, takes the podium and reveals how implementation of a new Product Information Management solution helped the company stop a $1.5 million a month revenue leak while reducing time-to-market by 80 percent for new parts, pricing and catalogs.
Dayco’s Welvaert to be a Keynote Speaker at Aftermarket eForum
Two years ago, Dennis Welvaert, president, North American Aftermarket Division of Dayco Products, LLC, a division of Mark IV Industries, reluctantly attended the Aftermarket eForum worried that it would be a “geek fest.” This year, he is the keynote speaker and will share how the presentations and education of that first symposium gave him the confidence to dive in to several supply chain initiatives that have had a significant impact on his company.
Joseph “Corky” Coker Recieves “Wally” Lifetime Achievement Award
Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) chairman and Coker Tire Company president Joseph “Corky” Coker was honored with a “Wally” Lifetime Achievement Award at the 3rd annual Holley NHRA Hot Rod Reunion’s public reception.
AAPEX Online Registration Now Open
Online registration for the 2005 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) taking place Nov. 1-4 in Las Vegas, is now open at www.aapexshow.com. Online registration is $15 if completed before Oct. 7 — a 70 percent savings off the $50 on-site registration fee.
Executive Interview with Guy Bargnes, Director of Marketing, North American Operations for BASF Corp. Refinish Group
Guy Bargnes has spent his entire life in the collision repair industry. He was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, where his father ran a family business, V. H. Bargnes Co., Inc., which distributed automotive paints, supplies and equipment to area collision shops. In 1992 Bargnes joined BASF full-time, and he is now director of marketing, North American Operations, for the Refinish Group. Bargnes recently sat down to a phone interview with aftermarketNews and shared with us some of the insights from his lifelong career in the industry. Join us as Bargnes talks about BASF’s four leading principles, trends in the refinish business and the return of paint companies to industry trade shows.
Executive Interview with Jeff Berman, Managing Director, Bosal US
As managing director, Bosal U.S., Jeff Berman is responsible for all of Bosal’s aftermarket customers in the NAFTA region. He was recently appointed to this position and is now responsible for managing operations, sales and marketing for Bosal’s U.S. aftermarket and performance divisions at Bosal USA, Inc., based in Whippany, NJ, as well as the sales and marketing for Bosal Canada in Kingston, Ontario. Recently, Berman took time to talk with aftermarketNews.com about the company’s OEM heritage and its role in the aftermarket. Berman shared his insights on the future of the import segment and the keys to tapping this segment.
Vic Edelbrock, Jr. to Receive Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award
Hotrod & Restoration (HHR) magazine and Robert Petersen have announced Vic Edelbrock, Jr. as the fourth recipient of the Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award. Launched in 2002 at the HRR show, the inaugural Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to NHRA founder Wally Parks. The award was presented to Carroll Shelby in 2003 and George Barris in 2004. Petersen selects the annual recipient based upon the candidate’s contributions to the evolution and prosperity of specialized automobiles. The trophy, a bronze sculpture by automotive artist Steve Posson, aptly titled “Running at the Lakes,” is on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
Auto Customizers Spend Billions, Boost Aftermarket Parts Suppliers
Some adults decorate their houses to suit their personalities. Others “pimp out” their cars. Customizing cars is a hobby that’s been around for years, but these days — with television shows such as “Pimp My Ride” and “Monster Garage,” and movies like “The Fast and The Furious,” the trend is just starting to get noticed.
Collaboration: We All Know What the Word Means, But Are We Doing it?
While he admits the word is a bit overused in our industry, Scott Luckett, chair of the 2004 Aftermarket eForum conference, told the crowd of more than 350 attendees at this year’s eforum that “More than anything else, this conference is about collaboration.”