Exide Introduces NASCAR Branded Product Line at Sam’s Club
Playing off the brand recognition the NASCAR name holds with its estimated 75 million fans, Exide Technologies has introduced a new NASCAR branded transportation battery program at Sam’s Club, a national members-only chain of retail warehouses. The new program is exclusive to Sam’s Club and will be available in more than 462 locations nationwide.
ArvinMeritor Announces Finance Leadership Appointments
Robert “Rob” Guy has been named vice president of finance for ArvinMeritor’s light vehicle systems (LVS) business group. Marc Pensa has been named vice president of finance for ArvinMeritor’s commercial vehicle systems (CVS) business group. Robert “Rob” Guy has been named vice president of finance for ArvinMeritor’s light vehicle systems (LVS) business group. Marc Pensa has been named vice president of finance for ArvinMeritor’s commercial vehicle systems (CVS) business group.
The Results Are In: Seventy Percent Say AAPEX is Worth the Cost
The results are in from the first edition of “AMN Asks” — the new weekly aftermarketNews.com poll. Last week, we asked whether you thought the annual AAPEX Show in Las Vegas offers “complete value” for the amount of time and resources you spend to attend. The annual Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo, which takes place in Las Vegas every fall, is the largest gathering of aftermarket products and people under one roof. It’s a chance to network, check out new products and attend informative seminars. It’s fast-paced and frenetic and can be a world of fun, however, on the flipside, it’s also an exhausting week of glad-handing and schmoozing in a very pricey town. Is it offering the best bang for your buck?
R. L. Polk Canada Announces Management Changes
Kendra Rawls has been appointed vice president, R. L. Polk & Co. and general manager, R. L. Polk Canada, Inc. In this position, Rawls is responsible for managing Polk’s activities in Canada including vehicle registration reporting, automotive intelligence and analysis and marketing solutions. Rawls replaces Bill Murray who has been named vice president of international development at Polk’s international headquarters in Southfield, Mich. Murray is now responsible for overseeing operations in Brazil, Canada and Mexico plus the development of product offerings in Polk’s emerging markets.
Stoneridge Adds Two New Directors to Its Board
Automotive components manufacturer Stoneridge has appointed John Corey and William Lasky to the company’s board of directors. Corey is president and CEO of Safety Components International, a supplier of air bags and components. He previously held positions as president of the Stanley Mechanics Tools Division, AlliedSignal’s automotive aftermarket products division and Moog Automotive. Lasky is chairman, president and CEO of JLG Industries, a diversified construction and industrial equipment manufacturer. Prior to joining JLG, Lasky spent 22 years in various positions of increasing responsibility with Dana, including president of its Filtration Products Worldwide business from 1997 to 1999.
aftermarketNews.com Unveils New Features in 2004
aftermarketNews.com (AMN) kicks off 2004 with a number of new editorial features that will provide readers with more comprehensive industry news coverage and useful advice for improving aftermarket businesses. AMN will launch two new features in January, including “DST Asks,” a new technology-themed online reader survey sponsored by information technology services provider DST Inc. Also new this month is “AMN Perspectives by Thomas Group: Experience at Work” which will offer applied techniques for successful implementation of business objectives. Thomas Group is a professional services firm, specializing in improving strategic business processes. Twice a month on AMN experienced Thomas Group consultants will provide practical advice for improving your bottom line.
MPA Automates Catalog and Product Management with e-Publisher
Motorcar Parts of America (MPA) has partnered with Vertical Development Inc. (VDI) to consolidate its application and technical data into a single relational database. As a result, MPA’s customers can now access the latest product information linked to technical reference bulletins in a single lookup.
Art Fisher, CEO of Fisher Auto Parts and Founder of Federated Auto Parts Distributors, Dies at 65
Arthur Jay (Art) Fisher Jr., CEO of Fisher Auto Parts and founder of Federated Auto Parts Distributors, died Jan. 15 in Staunton, Va. He was 65. A graduate of Hope College in Holland, Mich., Fisher taught school before entering the automotive aftermarket in 1964. Under his leadership, Fisher Auto Parts grew from a single location to become one of the largest independently owned auto parts chains in the U.S. Today there are more than 300 Fisher Auto Parts stores, with 18 warehouses and more than 2,000 employees. Fisher founded Federated Auto Parts Distributors in 1985. Federated quickly became one of the industry’s premier programmed marketing groups, with more than 3,800 Federated Auto Parts Stores and 2,400 Federated Car Care Centers today nationwide. In addition to his work and dedication to Fisher and Federated Auto Parts, Fisher served on the board of governors of AWDA and served as chairman in 2001.
Aftermarket Veteran George Halford Dies
George Halford, co-owner and vice president of H.B. International Marketing Services, died this week. A Royal Air Force veteran who served in World War II, Halford emigrated to Canada in 1957 and entered the automotive business. In 1966, he purchased BMC dealership for Triumph, MG and Jaguar, and in 1976, opened three jobber stores. Halford formed Tandem Marketing Co., an automotive parts sales agency, in 1980, and in 1987 merged with Bearden Marketing Services to form H.B. International Marketing Services, Inc.
ATMC Spring Conference to Focus on “Clean Diesel”
The Automotive Training Managers Council (ATMC) will hold its 2004 Spring Conference and Business Meeting on April 18-20 at the Holiday Inn Fairlane-Dearborn in Detroit, Mich. The conference will focus on heavy-duty/diesel emissions and new technologies. Numerous automotive presentations on clean diesels, new emissions-related systems and their impact on the service technician will be on the agenda.