Final Deadline for AASA Top Suppliers List — Friday, March 5
The final deadline to submit information for the 2004 Top Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers List is quickly approaching. Information for this free listing must be submitted by Friday, March 5. Published by Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the aftermarket segment of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), and produced by Babcox Publications, this multi-page, full-color publication will be distributed with the May issue of Counterman magazine, which reaches more than 50,000 automotive aftermarket parts distribution professionals every month.
Advance Auto Parts Hopes to Maintain Fast Pace of Earnings, Expansion
Roanoke, Va., is home to an automotive parts retailer that keeps pushing the pace. Advance Auto continues to expand, stretching itself across many markets. By the end of 2003, it had 2,546 stores in 39 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands with plans to open up to 135 in 2004. But how long can it keep up this speed?
School Auto Center Revs Up Students
Alex Kosterman, Kevin Bendorf and Matt Beier hunched over the shiny red Pontiac Sunfire, carefully inspecting the car’s leaky battery before cleaning it up and replacing it. The hands-on lesson on starting systems and batteries took place Tuesday in Racine, Wis.-based Park High School’s new automotive technology center, a 5,000-square-foot dream for the school’s automotive students. The investment bucks a national trend, as more and more high school auto shops are stalling despite a huge demand for skilled auto technicians. The most common roadblocks: the hefty cost of running automotive programs and a more intense focus on college preparatory classes.
Alcoa Named ‘Most Admired Company’ by Fortune Magazine
Alcoa has been named one of Fortune magazine’s “Most Admired Companies” in the magazine’s upcoming annual report on reputation. Alcoa is one of the world’s leading producers of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina, and is active in all major aspects of the industry, including the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets.
Aftermarket Technology Corp. Appoints Don Johnson to CEO
Aftermarket Technology Corp. (ATC) has announced that Don Johnson will succeed Mike DuBose as CEO and president. DuBose is stepping down as CEO but will remain chairman of the company.
Alcoa Returns Unit to Former CEO
Alcoa Inc. has finally found a buyer for its automotive fasteners business, agreeing to sell the unit more than a year after putting it on the block. The Pittsburgh-based company said it would sell the business to a group led by Robert Kaminski for an undisclosed price. Kaminski is the former CEO and owner of Continental/Midland, one of the fastener maker’s predecessor companies. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
TRW Trims Losses
Livonia-based TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., the world’s No. 2 maker of automotive air bags, said its fourth-quarter loss narrowed to $1 million, or 1 cent a share, as currency-exchange gains and auto-parts demand boosted sales. TRW has a year-earlier loss of $33 million. Sales climbed 12 percent to $2.98 billion from $2.67 billion, the company said in a statement. A year ago, TRW was part of defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp.
Car Care Council Women’s Board Expands Scholarship Program in 2004
The Car Care Council Women’s Board is increasing the number of scholarships it will be awarding in 2004, in an effort to recruit and retain talented women in the automotive aftermarket industry. The Women’s Board will be awarding a $1,000 scholarship and two $500 scholarships to female students who have completed at least one year in an ASE-certified, post-secondary automobile technology program and plan on entering the automotive field upon graduation. In addition, two $500 scholarships will be awarded to high school female students who will attend an ASE-certified, post-secondary automobile technology program and plan on entering the automotive field upon graduation.
Republic Names George Strickler CFO
Former BorgWarner Executive Vice President and CFO George Strickler has been named executive vice president and CFO for Republic Engineered Products, one of North America’s largest producers of special bar quality steel. Prior to joining BorgWarner in 2001, Strickler served as vice president of finance for Akron, Ohio-based Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. He held finance and treasury positions at the tiremaker for 30 years. He was also executive vice president and CFO at Lake West Group, a retail consulting company based in Cleveland, Ohio.
Snap-on Appoints Former BorgWarner CEO and Chairman to Board
John Fiedler, retired chairman and CEO of BorgWarner, has been appointed to Snap-on’s board of directors. Fiedler served as BorgWarner’s chairman and CEO until 2003. Prior to 1995, he was president and COO. During his tenure, BorgWarner increased its revenues from $800 million to roughly $3 billion.