The Week in Review (July 7-11, 2008)
By Amy Antenora The Week in Review offers a snapshot of the most highly read stories of the week as seen on aftermarketNews. To access the complete stories, simply click on the highlighted links. If you missed reading one of our daily news emails, just click on the link that says "News Archives" at the
Tales from the Track: When Racing on the Edge, Weird Stuff Happens
Dave Caracci, retired VP from Robert Bosch, has returned to his first love – racing. In this multi-part series, Caracci takes us behind the scenes on the road with Prime Time Racing, where he serves as Logistics Engineer. This time he writes about the trials and tribulations the team encountered in St. Petersburg for the Acura Sports Car Challenge.
MEMA Members Tell Legislators: “Now is the Time”
The theme “Now is the Time,” has never seemed more appropriate as members of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) gathered on Capitol Hill this week to talk to legislators about the critical issues currently challenging the motor vehicle supplier industry. Rather than simply bringing a laundry list of complaints to legislators this week, motor vehicle suppliers that attended MEMA’s annual Legislative Summit focused on ways that the industry can be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
Tales from the Track: Dave Caracci Takes Us Behind the Scenes at Sebring
Dave Caracci, retired VP from Robert Bosch, has returned to his first love – racing. In this multi-part series, Caracci takes us behind the scenes on the road with Prime Time Racing, where he serves as Logistics Engineer. Stay tuned for more notes from Caracci’s race team travel journal.
The Top Ten News Stories of 2007
For the fourth year in a row, the editorial staffs of aftermarketNews and Counterman magazine have selected what they determined to be the most significant events to impact the automotive aftermarket in the past year. News stories are presented in chronological order.
From Counterman.com: Worldly Parts
More and more manufacturers are cutting costs by offshoring. And in many instances the form, fit and function you and I rely on is being affected. And it’s not only happening overseas.
Automobile Recycling Business Has Changed Dramatically
As Gary Ackerman approaches through a hallway at LKQ Star Auto Parts, there’s no confusing him with Redd Foxx, who played the role of Fred Sanford in the 1970s sitcom "Sanford and Son." And there’s certainly no confusing the multimillion-dollar automotive recycling business that Ackerman runs on Janesville’s south side with the junkyard Sanford and his son labored over in Los Angeles. Parts still may be parts, but the process of getting them from one user to another is radically different.
Tenneco Announces Executive Appointments
Tenneco Inc. announced two executive appointments today. David Wardell has been named Tenneco’s new senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary. Karel Van Bael has been promoted to vice president and general manager for the original equipment ride control business, Europe. Both appointments are effective immediately.
Bridgestone Americas to Acquire Bandag for $1.05 Billion in Cash
Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. and Bandag, Inc. have entered into a merger agreement through which Bridgestone Americas will acquire the outstanding shares of each class of stock of Bandag for $50.75 per share in cash. The transaction is valued at approximately $1.05 billion. Following completion of the transaction, Bandag will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.
Yokohama Tire to Showcase its Environmental Efforts at L.A. Auto Show
U.S.-based Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) is joining with its Japanese parent, Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd., to utilize its strength in technologies to protect the environment. This “Grand Design 100” plan is part of the company’s global environmental management program designed to have Yokohama harmonize its company-wide operations in everything from manufacturing to product design.