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.
Delphi Says Law Will Affect Payouts
Delphi has said the Medicare prescription-drug law passed last month may reduce the company’s future payouts for retiree health-care coverage by $454 million. The company’s obligation at the end of 2003 would have been $8.02 billion with the legislation, or five percent less than $8.47 billion reported, Delphi said in an annual regulatory filing.
American Axle & Manufacturing Elects New Board Members
American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings (AAM) has appointed two new members to its board of directors: Dr. Henry Yang, chancellor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Thomas Martin, a retired DaimlerChrysler financial executive.
Rema Tip Top/North America Announces Two Executive Appointments
Rema Tip Top/North America’s TRM division has expanded its national account department and appointed two new executives. As part of the expansion, Kevin Sapp has been named national account manager. In this new role, Sapp will continue to develop Rema Tip Top’s business with OEM tire manufacturers, retread material manufacturers, retail tire chain, mass merchandisers and automotive distribution chains. Additionally, the company has named Michael Gibson as its new south central zone territory manager. Gibson brings 11 years of experience to the position, coming from Schrader-Bridgeport where he fulfilled various responsibilities in sales, operations and purchasing.
Modine Partners with Tennessee Department of Labor
Modine Manufacturing Co. has been selected as the first company to receive state funding for a new worker training program. The program, funded through the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, has $1 million in funds available this year. Modine has been awarded a grant of $45,000. The company said it will invest an additional $34,000 in curriculum and training equipment for the project, which will include training on new technology for staff members and cross-training for the hourly workforce.
American Axle OKs Stock Buyback
Detroit-based American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings announced that its board approved a share repurchase program calling for the company to repurchase up to 2.5 million shares of its stock over the next two years.
Dana’s Terry Shively to be Featured on the C.A.R. Show
Terry Shively, vice president marketing and public relations for the Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group, will be featured on the C.A.R. Show radio program on Saturday, Feb. 7. The broadcast will air between 9 – 11 a.m. EST. During the broadcast, Shively will discuss the importance of preventative vehicle maintenance and the role that the Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group has played in supporting the Car Care Council’s “Be Car Care Aware” campaign. He will also discuss the need for the industry to continue to come together to capture a share of the $62 billion in unperformed vehicle maintenance.
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.
Diedrich Scholarship Applications Due
Incoming students planning to attend Northwood University in Midland, Mich., have until March 1 to apply for the Harvey Diedrich “Advantage” Scholarship. The award of $500 will go to a deserving student, majoring in either Marketing/Management or Automotive Aftermarket Management. Applications can be submitted online at www.northwood.edu. Diedrich was a longtime contributor to the aftermarket who passed away suddenly in June 2003. The scholarship was established by Diedrich’s friends and colleagues for his innovative marketing programs for Monroe shocks and Walker mufflers. He was principal architect of the highly successful “Walker Advantage” program.
Industry Standards for Aftermarket Data to Be Held March 15-16
The Industry Standards for Aftermarket Data seminar will be held at the Hilton Austin Airport, Austin, Texas on March 15-16, 2004. It will be hosted by Activant Solutions (formerly CCITriad).