Executive Interview with Howard Kesten, President of APA Search
Today’s Executive Interview features Howard Kesten of APA Search. An automotive industry veteran, Kesten has spent the last 20 years as the owner/president of APA Search, a retained executive search firm that specializes in the automotive industry. He is a human resources consultant and is also a noted guest speaker in the industry. Prior to APA Search, he spent several years with Dana Corp., and earlier owned and operated a chain of two-step distributors in and around New York City. From 1987 to 2008, APA Search has interviewed more than 50,000 automotive industry executives and has placed more than 2,000 of them with some 100-plus clients. Kesten and his team have worked with companies that range in size from $2 million to $60 billion. Join us as Kesten shares some tricks of the trade and talks about the most important core competencies businesses must focus on in this challenging economy.
The Pros and Cons of Importing in the Aftermarket
The Catevo Group presents an article on how to provide the highest-quality aftermarket products at the lowest possible prices while still making a profit. The authors discuss the challenges and benefits that come with global sourcing. "Today’s global marketplace requires new thinking on how you do business," The Catevo Group wrote. "Sourcing products from around the world in some cases has become not just another option but a necessity to compete and ultimately survive."
MEMA Urges U.S. Government to Abolish Duties on Imported Steel
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) – representing the nation’s motor vehicle suppliers – has urged the federal government to abolish duties on imported steel, citing the continued hardship the tariffs place on the U.S. automotive industry. “Tariffs on imported steel have already cost this industry tens of thousands of jobs,”
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Looks at Aftermarket Legislative Issues
Motor vehicle suppliers are the largest single manufacturing industry in the U.S. As such, this industry is not only greatly impacted by what goes on in Washington , but it can also be a great influence on Capitol Hill as well. There are a number of issues in debate right now that this industry must keep a close watch of – from environmental emissions regulations to small business health insurance plans and more.
MEMA Applauds Knollenberg’s American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act
WASHINGTON, DC – The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) has offered its support for the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act, which was introduced on Feb. 16 by Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI). The legislation would allow American manufacturing companies that use internationally traded products to participate fully in trade cases before the U.S. Department of Commerce
Tire Aftermarket in India Growing, According to New Frost & Sullivan Report
A new report from Frost & Sullivan, entitled “Indian Tire Aftermarket,” shows that the Indian tire aftermarket earned revenues of $1,461.7 million in 2005 and estimates revenues to reach $3,414.6 million in 2012. The analysis points to India’s rapidly growing vehicle population and sizeable middle class as major factors in the growth of the automotive market and, in turn, the tire aftermarket.
R. L. Polk & Co’s Ask the Industry Looks at Predictions for Raw Materials in 2007 (Part II)
In this week’s edition of Ask the Industry, MEMA Senior Market Research Analyst Richard Anderson provides his predictions for some of the industry’s most important raw materials. In our interview with Anderson , he indicated that petroleum, steel, aluminum, copper and nickel will be the top five raw materials for the aftermarket to keep an eye on in 2007. Below, are his thoughts on two of the most talked about raw materials for this industry — petroleum and steel.
Bush, Auto Execs to Keep Talking: President Shows Big 3 Sympathy
From Detroit Free Press WASHINGTON — After eight months of missed dates, mounting political pressure and a change in congressional control, just what did Detroit automakers get from their meeting Tuesday with President George W. Bush? A promise for more meetings. While they didn’t agree on every issue, especially on Japan’s currency, the executives said
Steel Tariff Debate Escalates: Auto Future an Issue for Federal Hearing Today
A heated dispute over the future of U.S. manufacturing hits a federal trade panel today, which will hear arguments from steel companies and automakers on whether tariffs on certain types of steel widely used in cars and trucks should be removed. The debate pits six large automakers against the three largest U.S. steel companies, each using a form of economic jujitsu to make its case.
New Research Shows IPR Laws Could Help Reduce Counterfeiting in Chinese Auto Industry
With the number of joint ventures between local and global automotive manufacturers escalating, there has been a corresponding rise in the risk of counterfeiting, according to new research from Frost & Sullivan. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, titled “Counterfeiting in the Total Chinese Automotive Industry,” reveals that the counterfeit vehicle parts and components market in China earned revenue of $11.53 billion in 2004 and could reach $44.74 billion in 2011.