The Week in Review (July 21-25, 2008)
By Amy Antenora The Week in Review offers a snapshot of the most highly read stories of the week as seen on aftermarketNews. To access the complete stories, simply click on the highlighted links. If you missed reading one of our daily news emails, just click on the link that says "News Archives" at the
Import parts industry legend Randy St. John died July 20. He was 81 years old. Beginning his automotive parts experience in the early 1950s as a partner in Brigham-St. John, an import parts specialist located in Southern California, Randy built a solid demand for British, French, Italian and German car parts in his market. After aligning with Beck Distributing in the early 1960s, Randy joined the Beck family and his company became the west coast operation for Beck, later becoming Beck/Arnley Corp. of California. He eventually went on to become president of Beck/Arnley Corp.
Executive Interview: An Update on Uni-Select’s Purchase of Beck/Arnley
In this exclusive Executive Interview, Uni-Select President and CEO Richard Roy and Max Dull, vice president and general manager of Beck/Arnley, provide an update on what to expect following Uni-Select’s acquisition of the import parts maker. The two address plans for strategy, branding and distribution.
Herman Trend Alert: Thriving in Economic Crisis
Some enterprises are thriving through this period of economic crisis. First, the sales of fuel efficient, mostly small cars are booming. Toyota dealerships have only 15-days inventory of Corollas on their lots. In May, Honda’s modest Civic became the No. 1 selling car in the United States. Logistics alternatives to diesel-consuming trucks that are more efficient at moving goods, like railroads, are also doing well.
AAIA Partners With China Ministry of Commerce
Building on its initiative to meet member interest in learning more about doing business in China , the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) has established a formal partnership with the China International Auto Parts Expo (CIAPE), a division of the China Ministry of Commerce. The partnership agreement calls for Ministry of Commerce to provide an educational program at AAPEX on how to sell to the Chinese aftermarket. The program will include information on the Chinese aftermarket, government regulations and business practices
‘The Economic Report’ Show to Feature Coni-Seal
DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. – Aftermarket manufacturer Coni-Seal, Inc. will be featured on an upcoming episode of ‘The Economic Report’ as part of the show’s series on Rising Stars in Quality Aftermarket Parts. Hosted by former NFL sports broadcaster Greg Gumbel, “The Economic Report” airs during the day on national news networks including Fox, CNN and
The Week in Review (June 23-27, 2008)
By Amy Antenora The Week in Review offers a snapshot of the most highly read stories of the week as seen on aftermarketNews. To access the complete stories, simply click on the highlighted links. If you missed reading one of our daily news emails, just click on the link that says "News Archives" at the
Canadian Plastics Supplier Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Canadian supplier Progressive Molded Products Inc. filed for Chapter 11 protection late Friday, June 20, listing debts in excess of $500 million and assets of no more that $50 million. Progressive’s filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Del., comes in the shadow of the Feb. 1 bankruptcy filing by giant interior plastic trim supplier Plastech Engineered Products Inc., of suburban Detroit. Plastech, with $1.4 billion in revenue in 2007, has begun liquidating its business under court protection.
MEMA Members Tell Legislators: “Now is the Time”
The theme “Now is the Time,” has never seemed more appropriate as members of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) gathered on Capitol Hill this week to talk to legislators about the critical issues currently challenging the motor vehicle supplier industry. Rather than simply bringing a laundry list of complaints to legislators this week, motor vehicle suppliers that attended MEMA’s annual Legislative Summit focused on ways that the industry can be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
The Alliance’s Richard Morgan Speaks Out about Fuel Surcharges
The U.S. Energy Dept. has predicted that gas prices this summer would peak at $4.15 a gallon and then drift down to $4 a gallon, probably remaining for the rest of the year. As both consumers and businesses struggle with the increasing burden of high fuel costs, the issue has become one of heated debate, particularly in the automotive warehouse distribution segment. At the recent shareholder meeting of Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc., its President and CEO Richard Morgan, recommended that in order for each automotive warehouse distributor to survive in the face of escalating oil prices, it should consider having a fuel surcharge policy to fairly pass on the increased fuel costs at all levels of their distribution.