Automechanika Exhibit Space Selling Out
With strong early sales of space in the U.S. Pavilions at Automechanika, Sept. 14-19, especially in Hall 1 (parts and components) and Hall 8 (garage, tools and equipment), interested firms should call the pavilion organizer soon to reserve space.
Goodyear Selects ACS to Provide Human Resources BPO Services
Goodyear Tire & Rubber has signed a 10-year agreement with ACS for human resources (HR) services. Under terms of the contract, ACS, a premier provider of business process and information technology solutions, will provide a wide range of HR business process services for Goodyear’s Akron, Ohio-based North American operations. Approximately 100 HR positions in Akron have transferred to ACS as part of the agreement.
Family Affairs at Two North American Supplier Giants Could Spell Trouble
The family ownership rampant among mid-sized German suppliers is sometimes seen as a liability compared to North America’s bottom line-obsessed car parts makers. But last week, two of North America’s biggest suppliers — Lear and Magna — looked more like fickle family enterprises than the publicly traded automotive giants they are.
Art Fisher, CEO of Fisher Auto Parts and Founder of Federated Auto Parts Distributors, Dies at 65
Arthur Jay (Art) Fisher Jr., CEO of Fisher Auto Parts and founder of Federated Auto Parts Distributors, died Jan. 15 in Staunton, Va. He was 65. A graduate of Hope College in Holland, Mich., Fisher taught school before entering the automotive aftermarket in 1964. Under his leadership, Fisher Auto Parts grew from a single location to become one of the largest independently owned auto parts chains in the U.S. Today there are more than 300 Fisher Auto Parts stores, with 18 warehouses and more than 2,000 employees. Fisher founded Federated Auto Parts Distributors in 1985. Federated quickly became one of the industry’s premier programmed marketing groups, with more than 3,800 Federated Auto Parts Stores and 2,400 Federated Car Care Centers today nationwide. In addition to his work and dedication to Fisher and Federated Auto Parts, Fisher served on the board of governors of AWDA and served as chairman in 2001.
Bridgestone Americas’ Lampe To Retire
John Lampe, chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas Holding, who led the company’s remarkable recovery after devastating tire recalls in late 2000 and early 2001, announced today that he is retiring effective Mar. 31. He will be succeeded as chairman and CEO of BAH by Mark Emkes, currently chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT). Lampe announced his retirement this afternoon during a company-wide live Web cast and conference call. In addition, Lampe and Emkes granted Tire Review an exclusive in-depth interview about the retirement and the company’s future plans earlier this morning.
Automotive Market Research Council Begins 2004 Light Duty Aftermarket Forecasting Project
The Light Duty Aftermarket Committee of the Automotive Market Research Council (AMRC) has begun research for its annual aftermarket product forecasting project. The project gathers market information, both in dollars and units, for 11 different product lines and systems. Each year the light duty aftermarket project establishes demand trends by product line and for the light duty aftermarket overall, including a three-year dollar forecast by product and a review of market issues impacting sales.
Johnson Controls Renews Sponsorship of Rocketsports Racing in Champ Car World Series
Johnson Controls is continuing its sponsorship of Lansing, Mich.-based Rocketsports Racing in the 2004 Champ Car World Series. Brian Kesseler, group vice president and general manager of customer business units for the automotive group of Johnson Controls, and Rocketsports team owner, Paul Gentilozzi announced their return to the premier open-wheel racing series with plans for the upcoming season.