The Evolution of Aftermarket Product Lines, Part Two
The complexities of today’s aftermarket product lines challenge every distributor and manufacturer. How did we get to this point and how will the future of domestic and off-shore sourcing shape tomorrow’s aftermarket? This week in a five-part series, Dave Caracci writes about new dynamics in the ever-changing supplier/distributor relationship. Today we bring you part two of a five-part series.
Former Brembo Technical Director Adrian Smith Returns as GM of Brembo North America
Brembo North America (BNA) recently appointed Adrian Smith general manager of its North American operations and responsible for its three offices in Costa Mesa, Detroit and Charlotte, NC. Brembo, headquartered in Italy with plants in 12 countries, supplies high-performance braking systems. Previously, from 2000 to 2004 Smith served as technical director of Brembo S.p.A., in Curno, Italy, where he was responsible for a staff of 240 engineers and core engineering activities covering project management, design, prototyping and product development for Brembo’s entire product range.
From Counterman.com: Keeping Your Independence
There was a time when independent import specialists flourished all over the country in the automotive aftermarket. Just the other day, I was going through some old customer files and was amazed to discover how many import specialists were no longer customers, because they simply went out of business.
Ford to Sell Mexico Power Transfer Unit
From AFX News Limited DEARBORN, MI — Ford Motor Co. said earlier this week it has reached a non-binding proposal with Linamar Corp., a diversified manufacturing company, outlining the potential sale of its Mexico-based power transfer unit business. Financial terms were not disclosed. The Converca I Plant in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico produces power transfer units,
Automotive Communicators Honored for Outstanding PR Achievements
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – The winners of the sixth annual Excellence in Automotive Public Relations Award were honored this week at the Spring Conference of the Automotive Public Relations Council (APRC) held in Dearborn, MI. The awards are the only of their kind that are dedicated to recognizing excellence in automotive public relations. The
Neapco to Buy Ford Auto Parts Plant
From AFX News Limited DEARBORN, MI — Ford Motor Co. has entered into an agreement to sell a Michigan auto parts plant to an affiliate of a China-based company, while it has closed the sale of a Mexico factory to another company. Financial terms for both transactions were not disclosed. Neapco LLC, a North American
Suppliers Losing Contracts to Rivals
Bankruptcy is not the worst thing troubled automotive suppliers have to contend with. Even as these distressed suppliers work to restructure, they also must deal with a growing trend: automakers stripping away contracts and giving them to healthier suppliers. Automotive suppliers, already squeezed by rising raw material prices and customer production cuts, are finding the gap widening between their healthy and weak peers. The trend is driven by automakers’ desire to safeguard their operations by ensuring a continuous flow of parts.
NASCAR Champion Parsons Dies of Cancer-Related Complications
From Associated Press via MEMA Industry News Benny Parsons, a taxi driver who became a NASCAR champion in 1973, died Tuesday from lung-cancer complications, his son Keith said. He was 65. Parsons died in Charlotte, NC, where he had been hospitalized since December 26. A member of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers and a lovable fixture
Toyota Expects to Build More U.S. Plants
Toyota Motor Corp. is studying its projected 10-year growth in the United States and the plants it will need to build, but it has not decided where those plants will go or how many will be needed, said Jim Lentz, executive vice president of the carmaker’s U.S. sales arm. "All I know is compared to today it will be more," Lentz said Tuesday at the Automotive News World Congress in Dearborn, MI.
DuPont Introduces Premium Interior Air Filters
WILMINGTON, DE — DuPont Separations Solutions, a growth initiative dedicated to developing and implementing technologies for filtration, has introduced its new line of automotive DuPont Premium Interior Air Filters. Designed to clean the outside air before it enters the cabin of the automobile, DuPont Premium Interior Air Filters capture up to 96 percent of fine