NAPA/ASE Name Parts Specialist of the Year
Mike Mrozinski, a manager at Capital and Auto National Truck Service in Albany, N.Y., was recently named the 2004 NAPA/ASE Parts Specialist of the Year. Now in its fifth year, the NAPA/ASE Parts Specialist of the Year is awarded to a parts professional within the NAPA organization who demonstrates superior parts knowledge and business practices, a commitment to customer service and training, involvement in the community and outstanding service to the automotive parts, repair and maintenance industry. Judges include representatives from ASE, trade press, universities and aftermarket industry associations. Mrozinski was unanimously selected by the judges.
Coyle Named to Fuel Systems Job at TI Automotive
Patrick Coyle has been named North American regional director for TI Automotive’s Global Fuel Systems Division. Previously, Coyle was responsible for global fuel-system quality. TI Automotive is a tier one supplier of integrated fuel-storage and delivery systems.
TI Automotive Names Ernst Kuhlen to New Position
TI Automotive has named Ernst Kuhlen director of global fuel delivery pumps and modules. Kuhlen will be responsible for development and implementation of the company’s global pump-and-module product strategy. Based in Neuss, Germany, he will report to Manouchehr Kambakhsh, vice president for global engineering. Previously engineering director for pumps at Pierburg AG in Neuss, Kuhlen joined TI Automotive as part of the company’s recent purchase of Pierburg’s pump business.
Universal Automotive Acquires Three Brands from TRW Automotive’s Kelsey-Hayes Subsidiary
Universal Automotive has purchased several business assets of TRW Automotive’s Kelsey-Hayes subsidiary. The Livonia, Mich.-based businesses sold for $11 million in cash plus additional contingent payments. Universal has acquired the Autospecialty, ValuMaxx and Power Stop brands from Kelsey-Hayes. It also has entered into a licensing agreement for the use of the TRW trademark for premium quality brake rotors and drums and a supply agreement for TRW suspension products.
Midas Completes Restructuring
Midas said it has completed its restructuring plan successfully, and on schedule. In April 2003, Midas announced agreements with AutoZone in the U.S. and Uni-Select in Canada for distribution of Midas brand and other automotive parts to the 1,900 Midas shops in North America. Midas’ timetable to exit the parts distribution business was the end of fiscal 2003. In April 2003, Midas announced agreements with AutoZone in the U.S. and Uni-Select in Canada for distribution of Midas brand and other automotive parts to the 1,900 Midas shops in North America. Midas’ timetable to exit the parts distribution business was the end of fiscal 2003.