Big Three or Detroit Three?
From Area Development Site and Facility Planning The compass points appear to be turning again. In recent years, it has seemed like South was the only direction that automakers knew when looking for places to build or grow U.S. assembly plants. More recently, though, the old Rust Belt seems to have taken on a new
Equipment and Tool Institute Meets With Japanese Automakers
Twenty-four members of the Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI) recently traveled to Japan for ETI’s 19th Annual Japan Tech Week. The event, co-supported by ETI and the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), included week-long meetings and discussions with representatives from Mitsubishi, Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Suzuki, Nissan, Isuzu, Subaru, Hino, and for the first time, Nissan Diesel.
Executive Interview with Jose Maria Alapont, President and CEO of Federal-Mogul
This week we feature our exclusive interview with Jose Maria Alapont, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Federal-Mogul. Alapont joined Federal-Mogul in early 2005. Prior to that, he served as CEO of IVECO, the commercial vehicle division of the Fiat Group. In the past 18 months, he has been simultaneously leading the company out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection while also forging the future of the company. Alapont and other Federal-Mogul executives met with Counterman/aftermarketNews Publisher Jon Owens and Counterman Editor Brian Cruickshank at the AAPEX show in Las Vegas last month, where they spoke at length about Federal-Mogul’s emergence from bankruptcy, the current state of the industry and what Alapont thinks the future will look like for Federal-Mogul.
Executive Interview with Rod McKenzie, President of Penray
Rod McKenzie, president of Penray, began his business career as a sales engineer for Nalco Chemical Co. After a number of promotions at several locations, he eventually became vice president and general manager, heading five of Nalco’s business segments. One of those segments is now Penray’s Heavy-Duty Division. Penray was one of several small businesses that Nalco purchased in the mid 1980s. This acquisition strategy did not work out for Nalco, and in the early 1990’s, Nalco decided to divest all the companies it had purchased. After 25 years in the business, McKenzie saw strong similarities between Nalco’s heavy-duty segment and Penray’s automotive business, and made an offer to buy both segments in 1992. Join us as McKenzie brings us up to speed on the latest developments at Penray.
Winners of Inaugural CCC Information Services Outstanding Student Technician Scholarships Announced
CCC Information Services has announced the winners of its inaugural CCC Outstanding Student Technician Scholarships. Totaling $25,000, the CCC scholarships were created to assist collision repair students. Working in conjunction with the I-CAR Education Foundation, students from five select schools have been chosen for their academic achievement, attendance and dedication to the collision repair industry.
Corsa Performance Exhausts Now Offered Through Keystone Automotive
Keystone Automotive is now offering CORSA Performance’s line of stainless steel exhaust systems featuring patented Reflective Sound Cancellation Technology. “Keystone represents huge opportunities for CORSA, and we look forward to reaching a larger, more diverse market of automotive enthusiasts through this dominant distribution channel,” said Jim Browning Sr., founder and president, CORSA Performance.
Delphi Outlines Transformation Plan
Delphi this morning outlined its strategy to prepare for its return to stable, profitable business operations through a broad-based global restructuring in order to complete the Chapter 11 cases for Delphi and 41 of its domestic U.S. subsidiaries in the first half of 2007 as previously announced. Delphi’s transformation plan is intended to allow the company to become competitive in the global marketplace.
Executive Interview with Ric Alameddine, VP of Marketing and Engineering, North American Aftermarket, Tenneco
This week we talk with Richard Alameddine, vice president of marketing and engineering, North American Aftermarket, for Tenneco Inc., manufacturer of Monroe shocks and struts, Monroe premium brakes, Walker exhaust products, DynoMax performance exhaust, Rancho performance suspensions and shocks, and DuPont Car Care appearance and performance chemicals.
Wray Ward Laseter Named Agency of Record for Affinia Group
Wray Ward Laseter (WWL), a Charlotte, NC-based creative marketing communications firm, has been named agency of record for Affinia Group and its family of automotive aftermarket brands, WIX Filters, Raybestos brand brakes and Spicer chassis components.
Modine Announces $300 Million of Expected Net New Business Through 2010
Modine Manufacturing Co. yesterday updated and brought forward its net new business figure and announced that the company will receive $300 million of expected net new original equipment (OE) business over the next five years. The company also reiterated its fiscal 2006 diluted earnings per share guidance during a presentation at the Gabelli & Company 29th Annual Automotive Aftermarket Symposium in Las Vegas yesterday.