Building for the Future: Northwood University Breaks Ground for Aftermarket Studies Building
In Midland, MI, yesterday, the future of the aftermarket was represented with a shovel full of earth. On Northwood University’s Michigan campus, aftermarket industry VIPs, university alumni, students and faculty gathered to observe the official groundbreaking for the construction of The Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies.
Northwood University Announces Groundbreaking for Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies
Northwood University President Keith Pretty, J.D. has extended to the community an open invitation to the ground-breaking ceremony for The Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies. The groundbreaking ceremony for this 25,500-square-foot, state-of-the-art education center will take place at 11 a.m. on March 21, at the building site near the back parking lot behind the NADA Center. A reception and lunch will follow at 12 noon in the NADA Education Center. The Northwood University Michigan campus is located at 4000 Whiting Drive in Midland, MI.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Offers Tips for Better Business Travel
Thanks to advanced technology, business travel gets more efficient every day. Yet, even with all of the modern-day conveniences, corporate travel can still be stressful and exhausting. Travel delays, limited access to creature comforts and the general fatigue that comes with having to be your at your best, regardless of time zone, are just a few of the ways travel can all take a toll on a person. We asked a few well-traveled aftermarket executives for their best tips for staying healthy and focused during business travel.
Vange Proimos of AP Exhaust Elected Chairman of AASA
Vange Proimos, president of AP Exhaust in Goldsboro, NC, has been elected chairman of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) Board of Governors. Proimos and his brothers founded the USA Muffler Shop chain in the 1970s. The business grew to more than 20 shops throughout northeast Indiana and included a distribution center to service the muffler shops. In 1994, he and his family started Catco Catalytic Converters, known today as one of the largest aftermarket converter manufacturers in the country. Catco specializes in universal, direct fit and OBDII technology converters. In 1998, Proimos acquired the AP Exhaust Aftermarket Division with manufacturing facilities in Goldsboro, NC. Manufacturing exhaust products for the past several years under the Goerlich’s, Merit, TruckEx and Xlerator brands, the company will begin to market their products as AP Exhaust in 2007.
AASA Forms Automotive Aftermarket Marketing Council
The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) has created the AASA Marketing Council to advance the automotive aftermarket manufacturing industry through collaborative marketing and communication solutions.
Al Stecklein of Gates Elected 2006-2007 MEMA Chairman
Alfred “Al” Stecklein, group president, Worldwide Aftermarket Division of Gates Corp. in Denver, CO, has been elected 2006-2007 chairman of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Board of Directors. Stecklein was named to his current position at Gates in September 2000. As group president of Stecklein is responsible for directing the sales, marketing and logistics/distribution of all the automotive aftermarket products manufactured by Gates worldwide, as well as other Tomkins automotive companies.
Twenty-Seven New Products Receive AAPEX Awards
Twenty-seven companies that participated in this year’s Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) New Products Showcase received awards for their innovative new products that enhance the driving experience. Awards were announced on Nov. 1, opening day of AAPEX in Las Vegas.
Undercar Express Appoints Tom Elmer Director of Sales and Marketing
Undercar Express, a leading remanufacturer of automotive disc brake calipers headquartered in Cleveland, OH, has appointed Tom Elmer director of sales and marketing. In this new role, Elmer, a 23-year veteran of the automotive aftermarket industry, will be responsible for sales, marketing, customer relations, program development and pricing.
AASA Executive Breakfast Nearly Sold Out
Top aftermarket leaders will discuss the state of the aftermarket at the first-ever Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) Executive Breakfast, which will be held Tuesday, Nov. 1, just prior to the start of the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX). The event, organized by AASA, the aftermarket segment association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), is nearly sold out.
MEMA to Honor GPI’s Temple Sloan at Kick-Off Breakfast During AAPEX
O. Temple Sloan Jr., chairman and CEO of General Parts Inc., will be honored with the prestigious Triangle Award, the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association’s (MEMA) highest honor, during the Kick-Off Breakfast on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas, NV.