Champion Appoints a New President
John Evans, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Champion Laboratories, has been named president of the Albion, Ill.-based automotive parts manufacturer. Evans, a native of Vincennes, Ind., has been with Champion Laboratories for 20 years. He replaces Tom Mowatt, who has taken retirement.
Jerry Mosingo Named COO of ASC Incorporated
ASC Inc., a full-service specialty-vehicle development partner for automotive manufacturers, has named Jerry Mosingo COO, effective immediately. He replaces Scott Koepke, who has been named COO of ASC-Yachiyo Manufacturing Ltd. (AYM), an ASC joint venture company in Columbus, Ohio. Both executives will report to ASC’s president and CEO, Paul Wilbur. Mosingo’s COO assignment is expected to last through 2004.
Intermet Reports Losses
Intermet Corp. lost $92.8 million, or $3.30 per share, on sales of $183.3 million in the fourth quarter. The Troy, Mich.-based manufacturer of cast-metal automotive components earned $430,000, or 3 cents per share, on sales of $180.47 million in the same quarter of 2002.
How’s Business?
There are some very strong signs that business will be good in 2004. Optimism among repair shop owners is as high as it’s ever been during the three years we have been tracking this data.
MEMA Joins Aftermarket eForum as Sponsor
MEMA has joined as a sponsor of the 2004 Aftermarket eForum scheduled for Monday, Aug. 2, through Wednesday, Aug. 4, in Chicago, Ill. Other sponsors of this industry-wide event include the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association and the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA), R.L. Polk & Co., Comergent, Evant, Gcommerce, Prescient Technology, DST and WorldPac.
New Ideas Should Help Old Favorite
After getting whacked by big upheavals in the automotive supply world, the wobbly SAE World Congress, Detroit’s biggest and most important trade show, seems to be finding its legs again.
Akebono Announces Passing of Regional Sales Manager Carl Schaefer
Akebono announced yesterday that Eastern Regional Sales Manager Carl Schaefer unexpectedly passed away in January. Schaefer was a 25-year veteran of the automotive aftermarket business, with a focus on brake systems. He joined Akebono in 2002 and managed the company’s aftermarket sales in the eastern U.S. and Canada.
Neil Peters, Former TBEA Division President, Dies
Neil Peters Jr, former president of the Michigan-Ohio Regional Division of the Truck Body and Equipment Association (TBEA) from 1972-1973, died Jan 2, at home.
MACS Installs 2004 Board and Officers
New officers and board members were sworn in during the MACS annual membership meeting Jan. 24. Serving as officers in 2004 are: Chairman — Michael Deese, Santech Industries, Ft. Worth, Texas; Vice Chairman — Gus Swensen, Cool Car Auto Air, Columbus, Ga.; Treasurer — Andy Fiffick, Rad-Air Complete Car Care in Garfield Heights, Ohio; and Secretary — Kevin Burton, Four Seasons, Lewisville, Texas.
Automechanika Exhibit Space Selling Out
With strong early sales of space in the U.S. Pavilions at Automechanika, Sept. 14-19, especially in Hall 1 (parts and components) and Hall 8 (garage, tools and equipment), interested firms should call the pavilion organizer soon to reserve space.