Last Week at NACE: Most Influential Women Honored at Akzo Nobel Event
Five industry leaders were honored at the ninth annual Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry Awards program held at the Wynn Las Vegas on Nov. 1. Kristen Felder of Little Rock, AR; Sheri Hamilton of Kansas City, MO; Delores Richardson of Montreal, Quebec; Elainna Sachire of Cortland, OH, and Donna West of Tukwila, WA, were honored at the 2007 Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry award ceremony. Collectively, their careers represent more than 100 years of experience and demonstrate influence in many aspects of the industry, including shops, suppliers, associations, consulting and automotive insurers.
Trico Announces Layoffs at Two Texas Plants
Trico, an international wiper manufacturer with operations in Brownsville and Matamoros, TX, has laid off hundreds of employees to offset losses resulting from an ailing automotive industry. The high price of gasoline and the housing market slump has taken its toll on the automotive industry and its suppliers. Trico, which supplies 70 auto assembly plants a week, is feeling the ripple effect of the downturn, according to Martin Kennedy, vice president and managing director of the Americas for Trico.
ACC Fall Conference in Boston
The Automotive Communication Council (ACC) will hold its Fall Meeting on Sept. 24-25 at the Omni Parker House Hotel in Boston. The ACC is a professional organization of individuals in the automotive aftermarket who specialize in marketing communications.
2007 ACA Awards Entries Due Sept. 7
The Car Care Council Women’s Board and the Automotive Communication Council are now accepting applications for the 2007 Automotive Communications Awards. The annual Automotive Communications Awards recognize and reward outstanding advertising, marketing, merchandising and/or effective PR. Entries for the 2007 Automotive Communications Awards are due by Friday, Sept. 7. To download the entry form, click
Executive Interview with Jeff Stauffer, Senior Vice President of Global Group Marketing for Affinia Group, Inc.
This week we hear from Jeff Stauffer, senior vice president of global group marketing for Affinia Group, Inc. Prior to joining Affinia in September 2006, Stauffer was vice president of marketing for the consumer products division of Old World Industries. In that position he managed all aspects of product development and brand management for a diverse portfolio of products, including PEAK Antifreeze and Mr. Clean Auto Care. Before moving to Old World in 1997, Stauffer had worked at Moog Automotive/Cooper Industries for 13 years. He began his career at Tenneco Automotive in 1976. His 30 years in the aftermarket also have included extensive experience in sourcing, research, sports marketing, public relations, advertising, as well as category management. Stauffer is a board member of the Automotive Sales Council and has served on the AAIA Marketing and Membership committees. He earned a B.B.A. degree in Business Management and Accounting from Northwood University, where he serves on the Board of Governors for Mic
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Looks at Business Solutions for Rising Healthcare Costs
For this week’s Ask the Industry, we look at an issue that is on nearly everyone’s mind these days – healthcare. It has become such a critical concern, both for business owners and employees, that the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) recently developed the Health Care Working Group, to assist its members in addressing the issue. Based on the model of MEMA’s successful Brand Protection Council, the Health Care Working Group began meeting this past year, under the direction of Ann McCullough, MEMA’s director of external affairs.
2007 ACA Awards Entries Now Being Accepted
BETHESDA, MD — The Car Care Council Women’s Board and the Automotive Communication Council applaud those companies and agencies that provide automotive information to consumers and the trade professionals who interact with them on a daily basis. The annual Automotive Communications Awards recognize and reward outstanding advertising, marketing, merchandising and/or effective PR. Entries for the
2007 ACA Awards Entries Now Being Accepted
The Car Care Council Women’s Board and the Automotive Communication Council applaud those companies and agencies that provide automotive information to consumers and the trade professionals who interact with them on a daily basis. The annual Automotive Communications Awards were created in order to recognize and reward outstanding advertising, marketing, merchandising and/or effective PR. Entries
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Talks to Female Industry Executives About Their Vehicle Maintenance Habits
During the annual winter meeting of the Car Care Council Women’s Board held last week in Savannah, GA, Van Kirk, of Kirk’s Auto Repair, told the board that today approximately 72 percent of his customers are female. This number is in line with industry statistics that show females are becoming more actively involved in vehicle maintenance for their households. We asked several members of the Car Care Council Women’s Board how their habits compared to the numbers. We asked them: Who is the primary vehicle maintainer in their households, and how do they decide where to take their cars when it’s time for maintenance or repair?
AASA Promotes Theresa Spera to Director of Marketing and Member Services
Theresa Spera has been promoted to director of marketing and member services for the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the aftermarket segment association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). In her new role, Spera will be responsible for process development and strategic planning for the Marketing Executives Council, Fuel Pump Manufacturers Council and will represent AASA on the MEMA Human Resources Council. Her duties will include management of overall marketing strategy and sponsorship opportunities for AASA.