Falken Tire CEO Hideo Honda Retires
Hideo Honda, chief executive officer and chairman of Falken Tire Corp. (FTC), has retired from his post, effective Jan. 1. After ensuring the smooth transition of his successor, Honda will return to Japan where he will serve as an advisor to Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (SRI) for the remainder of 2007.
2007 Monroe Ride Control Master Catalog Reflects Expansion of Domestic, Import Coverage
The 2007 Monroe Shocks and Struts Master Catalog is now available. The catalog features more than 200 new part numbers for popular late-model domestic and import vehicles as well as a growing range of replacement solutions for specialty and performance applications.
Falken Tire Promotes John McAndrew to Director, Dealer Channel Sales
Falken Tire has promoted John McAndrew to director-dealer channels. McAndrew joined the Falken Tire Sales team in April of this year as director, business development. His primary focus was on helping Falken grow and refine its distribution network throughout North America.
Executive Interview with Joe Pomaranski, Vice President-Sales for Tenneco’s North American Aftermarket
This week we talk with Joe Pomaranski, vice president-sales, 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 chemicals. Pomaranski was named vice president of sales, North American Aftermarket for Tenneco Inc. in May of 1999. In this role, he is responsible for sales and customer care activities for aftermarket ride control and emission control business, as well as DuPont Car Care chemicals and Monroe brake products in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
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.
Tenneco Aftermarket Pros and Distributor Partners Visit 1,427 So-Cal Shops in One Day
Hundreds of Tenneco Inc. North American aftermarket team members and warehouse distributor sales professionals recently hit the streets of Southern California, visiting 1,427 service dealer locations in one day. This was the first of several single-day ‘lightning strikes’ planned by Tenneco, designed to communicate to customers information on the company’s latest products and promotions.
ASA Collision Division Examines Repair Costs of Primed vs. Unprimed Bumpers
The Refinish Subcommittee of the Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) Collision Operations Committee wants to see all bumpers supplied to collision repair shops arrive in a primed state. Currently, replacement bumpers are supplied in both primed and unprimed condition, depending on the source. As part of this effort, ASA recently shared the results of its time and materials study with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). SAE is in the process of reviewing its Recommended Practice for Optimizing Automobile Damageability (J1555), and ASA’s Collision Division requests that Revision No. 73 contain a standard recommendation for bumpers to be supplied as primed.
Tenneco Hopes to Expand Expert Plus Membership with New Promotions and Premiums
Expert Plus, Tenneco’s installer marketing program, is targeting record membership in 2006 through an expanded range of trade and consumer sales promotions and business premiums. A promotional incentive and marketing program, Expert Plus enrolled more than 20,000 service dealer locations in 2005. The program is offered exclusively through the Monroe shocks and struts, Monroe brakes, Walker exhaust, DynoMax performance exhaust and Rancho performance suspension product lines.
Falken Tire Announces Management Promotions
The new year has brought new job assignments for some key Falken Tire Corp. executives. Hideo Honda, who had been Falken’s president and COO, was promoted to CEO of the company. Richard Smallwood, previously vice president of sales and marketing, took over Honda’s position as president and COO. Darren Thomas, who was executive director of marketing, was moved up to vice president of sales and marketing replacing Smallwood in that role
David Wendt to Serve on CAWA’s Manufacturers Advisory Council
Scott Nassif, chair of the California and Nevada Automotive Warehouse Association (CAWA) board of directors has appointed David Wendt to serve on the association’s Manufacturers Advisory Council (MAC).