Auto Data Network Acquires CarParts Technologies
Data Network Inc., a provider of software and real-time data services to the automotive industry, has acquired California-based CarParts Technologies, Inc. The deal was completed 17 months ahead of schedule. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Installer or Technician — What Are You?
“He thinks I’m working on parts. I’m working on concepts.” I recently came across this sentence in the book “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.” Unfortunately, this sentence describes the mentality of some elements in the aftermarket. It really got me thinking about an incident that happened to me earlier in the week. I was talking to a person involved in the aftermarket and he kept using the word “installer” to describe shops and technicians. Personally, I find the word “installer” to be very offensive. It does not describe the full role of the professional automotive technician in the aftermarket. It reduces technicians to merely “parts swappers” and not diagnosticians.
ASC Expands its Sales Force, Hires National Account Manager
ASC Industries in North Canton, Ohio, has named Steve Massarelli to the position of national account manager. According to Jeff Sandt, vice president of sales and marketing, the company has successfully expanded its customer network, becoming the top aftermarket new water pump manufacturer and necessitating the need for more sales support.
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.
Updated: Cypress Group to Buy Dana AAG Unit
It’s official. Dana Corp. has finally named a buyer for its Automotive Aftermarket Group (AAG). As first-reported early this morning in a ”Breaking News” bulletin from aftermarketNews.com, New York-based buyout firm Cypress Group has agreed to purchase the Dana AAG unit for approximately $1.1 billion in cash. Dana AAG President Terry McCormack and John Washbish, the AAG unit’s president of customer relationship management, along with their executive team will continue with the company. According to Michael Finley, managing director of Cypress, former Echlin top execs Larry McCurdy and Joe Onorato have signed on to serve as directors of the new company.
Bendix-Dana Joint Venture Officially Begins Business
As scheduled, Bendix and Dana’s joint venture — Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC — officially began business yesterday following corporate approvals from both partners. The joint venture, headquartered in Elyria, Ohio, will operate technology centers in Elyria and Kalamazoo, Mich., to produce a full portfolio of advanced wheel-end braking systems components.
TI Automotive Selects Hart County, Georgia, for New Plant
TI Automotive has selected Hart County, Ga., as the site for a new facility to manufacture automotive fuel system components.
Advanced Bosch Training Focuses on Solving Today’s Automotive Service Challenges
In today’s environment of ever-more-complex and sophisticated automobiles and trucks, training is all-important to the technicians who service and maintain these vehicles. Robert Bosch Corporation, a supplier of automotive systems and components, has placed itself in the forefront of those that supply the advanced technical training needed by the automotive service community.
Dana and Bendix Form Joint Venture
Dana Corp. and Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, a member of the Knorr-Bremse Group, have formed a North American joint venture focusing on commercial vehicle foundation brake components and technologies. The joint venture, which is expected to close on June 30, will operate under the name Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC. Completion of the transaction is subject to final corporate approvals at both companies.
DST Asks: How Do You View the Industry and Your Career?
Every automobile in every dealer’s showroom in America displays an EPA fuel economy ratings sticker. The ratings are estimates developed by the automakers after testing a limited number of pre-production vehicles. The EPA then verifies the results on roughly 10 to 15 percent of the vehicles produced for that year. The tests, repeated the same way each time in a controlled environment, are the same for all autos and are supposed to simulate city and highway driving conditions. They can’t – and don’t – reflect the conditions under which every vehicle is driven; nor do they reflect the maintenance condition, type of fuel used, or – perhaps most importantly-the variety of driving styles that we all see everyday on the streets. What do mileage ratings and driving styles have to do with your aftermarket career? Plenty.