Live from AAPEX: Washbish Named ‘Automotive Leader of the Year’
Each year at its annual meeting prior to the kickoff of AAPEX, AWDA bestows the Leader of the Year Award upon an aftermarket professional who has contributed to the industry in a unique and significant manner. Sunday night that award was presented to John Washbish, AAP, of AFFINIA, by his brother, Doug Washbish of Moog Louisville Warehouse.
Executive Interview with Ken Schafer, Vice President, and Henry Hippert, Sales Director, for Eastern Manufacturing
Every other week, aftermarketNews.com offers an interview with high-profile individuals 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. Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Ken Schafer, vice president, and Henry Hippert, executive sales director, for Eastern Manufacturing.
Federated Counterman Named Counterperson of the Year
Federated Auto Parts Store employee Randy Lipscomb has been named Counterman magazine’s 2004 Counterperson of the Year. The announcement was made by Counterman Editor Brian Cruickshank. Lipscomb is employed by Pat Young Service Co., a Cleveland, Ohio-area Federated Warehouse Distributor. “We are thrilled that one of our counter people won this prestigious award,” said Mike Schultz, executive vice president of Federated Auto Parts.
Registration Now Open for MACS 25th Anniversary Convention and Trade Show
Those planning to attend the MACS 25th Anniversary Convention and Trade Show, “NOW IS THE TIME!” can find a host of information about the show available online. “Automotive service shop owners and their technicians who attend MACS 25th Anniversary Convention and Trade Show, ‘NOW IS THE TIME!’ will expand their knowledge during the 41 hours of mobile A/C, engine cooling system and business training over three event packed days,” said Elvis Hoffpauir, MACS president and COO. “The knowledge they gain will be able to immediately be put to use in the shop for greater profitability. Attendees will also discover the world’s largest trade show focused on the latest mobile A/C and engine cooling system parts, tools and equipment.”
Retailers Hope Customers Will Tune in to Ads As They Shop
Customers rushed in and out of a Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts store on a rainy afternoon this week. Most walked without pausing past two televisions flashing above the cash registers and three sets hanging in the middle of the store. Televisions advertising the latest car gadgets, Advance promotions and daily sports and weather updates aren’t new for the Roanoke, Va.-based automotive parts chain. They first were installed in some Advance stores five years ago. Now they’re in all its stores.
Ford, Magna Face Multi-Million-Dollar Class-Action Suit Over Door Latches
Up to 400,000 Canadians might be driving Ford vehicles with faulty door latches that could lead to serious injury or death, according to a class-action lawsuit commenced Tuesday against Ford Motor Co., Magna International and several of its subsidiaries.
National Pronto Association Adds Fourth New Shareholder This Year
National Pronto Association announced yesterday that Ken Smith Auto Parts has become the newest shareholder to join the programmed distribution group. Ken Smith Auto Parts is the fourth auto parts business this year to become a shareholder of National Pronto Association. It is the second company to join the group in recent weeks. According to Bill Maggs, president of National Pronto Association, these new additions are part of a concerted effort to build Pronto’s network throughout the country.
Executive Interview: John Washbish Talks About the Dana AAG Acquisition
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features John Washbish, president of customer relationship management for the Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group (AAG). On Friday it was officially announced that New York-based investment firm Cypress Group agreed to buy Dana AAG for $1.1 billion. We had the opportunity to talk to Washbish just hours after the announcement was made. Join us as he shares some of the preliminary details on the acquisition and talks about the future of the Automotive Aftermarket Group.
AASA: U.S. Trade Deficit Hurts Automotive Supplier Industry
The disparity between automotive parts exports ($48 billion) and parts imports ($74 billion) drove the U.S. auto parts trade deficit to $26 billion in 2003, according to the 2004 Automotive Aftermarket Status Report, just released by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA).
OnStation Selected for Two New Aftermarket Partnerships
OnStation Corp., a leading provider of online customer retention and satisfaction solutions for the automotive services industry, has been selected to partner with two major aftermarket associations. The Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance (Alliance) has entered into a new agreement that recommends OnStation ShopConnect as the preferred online customer relationship management (CRM) solution for the Alliance’s certified service centers. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has also announced an agreement with OnStation Corp. providing special discounts for members who use the Internet-based OnStation ShopConnect service.