IBM Broadens Suite of RFID Services for Mid-Size Industrial Businesses
IBM announced this week an expansion of its services for companies seeking help with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Over the past several months, IBM has developed RFID services for industrial companies, such as those in the automotive, aerospace and defense, manufacturing, chemicals and petroleum, forest and paper and electronics industries, and for mid-market companies, which IBM defines as those with less than 1,000 employees. The services, which are available now and officially unveiled Tuesday, include consulting, development of a business case, technical proof of concept, pilots for the client and trading partners and full system implementation.
Executive Interview with Shozo Kibata, Senior Corporate Officer of Toyo Tire
This week, Jim Smith, editor of Tire Review (a sister publication to aftermarketNews.com) talks with Shozo “Carlos” Kibata of Toyo Tire Corp. Shozo “Carlos” Kibata is a very busy man right now, far busier than he was a scant four months ago when he was president of Toyo Tire (USA) Corp. in Cypress, Calif. Since June 1, Kibata was tapped to head Toyo Tire North America, a subsidiary of parent Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. that was created to build and manage the tiremaker’s first North American tire plant. And, as a reward for his hard work in the U.S., Kibata was named senior corporate officer of the parent company.
Flow of Auto Data Restricted
Under pressure from automakers, the affiliate of J. D. Power and Associates that regularly provides pricing, demographic and other key automotive data to the media no longer will do so. Power Information Network, or PIN, which handles about 60 requests a month from television, radio and newspapers, such as the Detroit Free Press, will stop in a move the company labeled a “business decision.” The company has been notifying journalists of the change, effective Sept. 1, for the last week.
Uni-Select and MAWDI Join Forces in the U.S.
Uni-Select Inc. announced today that, through its subsidiary Uni-Select USA, Inc, it has entered into a binding agreement to join forces with Middle Atlantic Warehouse Distributor, Inc. (MAWDI) in line with its U.S. strategy. MAWDI, which is based in Tonawanda, NY, is a warehouse distributor that operates 31 distribution centers and 145 corporate stores in 18 states. The transaction involves the purchase of all of the stock of MAWDI for cash or a combination of cash and shares. It has also been agreed that MAWDI’s President Jim Buzzard will assume the leadership of Uni-Select USA as its new executive vice president and that, subject to shareholders’ approval, Clay Buzzard will join the board of directors of Uni-Select Inc.
Executive Interview with Hoon Chung, President & CEO of DST, Inc.
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Hoon Chung, who was recently named president and CEO of DST, Inc., in Mission Viejo, Calif. Chung has more than 20 years of management experience in supply chain management and technology deployment services. Prior to his role as the Automotive Group senior vice president and general manager at Activant, he was the COO of Adexa, Inc., which delivers intelligent enterprise business planning and performance management solutions that link strategic, tactical and operational aspects in optimizing enterprise-wide supply chain planning and synchronization. Chung recently talked with aftermarketNews.com about his new appointment to lead DST, what he envisions for the company’s future and what he brings from his experience in other industries.
Hoon Chung Named President and CEO of DST
Former Activant Automotive Group executive Hoon Chung has been named president and CEO of DST Inc. Company founder Ray Stover was named chairman and vice president of business development. Stover said the entire DST family is energized by the appointment of Chung as president and CEO. “Hoon exemplifies the growing trend in the aftermarket to recruit the best of the best in supply chain management expertise to chart the course for an industry in vital need of next generation solutions,” said Stover.
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.”
Executive Interview with Tom Ward, President, Snap-on Diagnostics
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Tom Ward, president of Snap-on Diagnostics, a global business focused on improving technician and workshop productivity around the world. Join us as Ward gives us an inside look at Snap-on Diagnostics, including information on some recently launched products. Ward also talks about the trends and challenges in automotive diagnostics and repair and how the division works to address these issues.
Icons May Mean Confusion By The Dashboard Light
Icons and symbols are replacing words to describe the functions of car knobs, switches and controls and to warn drivers about possible malfunctions. In a global automotive market, avoiding specific languages means making fewer changes when selling the same car in different counties. And that saves money.
Mitchell 1 and MAWDI Form New Parts Ordering Partnership
Mitchell 1 and Middle Atlantic Warehouse Distributor, Inc. (MAWDI) have established a new marketing partnership. As part of Mitchell’s ongoing effort to further extend its national network of connectivity to automotive parts suppliers, the new agreement will allow Mitchell 1 customers to gain electronic access to MAWDI’s line of aftermarket parts, supplies, equipment and accessories and MAWDI customers will be offered special discounts and savings on the entire line of Mitchell 1 software products.