ETI ToolTech Event is a Success
The Equipment and Tool Institute’s (ETI) recent ToolTech event held April 26-28 in Indian Wells, Calif., brought nearly 120 people from all segments of the industry together for networking, one-on-one meetings, a company showcase and other important events.
Executive Interview with Guy Bargnes, Director of Marketing, North American Operations for BASF Corp. Refinish Group
Guy Bargnes has spent his entire life in the collision repair industry. He was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, where his father ran a family business, V. H. Bargnes Co., Inc., which distributed automotive paints, supplies and equipment to area collision shops. In 1992 Bargnes joined BASF full-time, and he is now director of marketing, North American Operations, for the Refinish Group. Bargnes recently sat down to a phone interview with aftermarketNews and shared with us some of the insights from his lifelong career in the industry. Join us as Bargnes talks about BASF’s four leading principles, trends in the refinish business and the return of paint companies to industry trade shows.
Honda to Be ‘Vehicle Manufacturer of the Show’ for 2005 SEMA Show
Honda has been selected as the vehicle manufacturer for the 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show in Las Vegas this November. The all-new 2006 Civic will be the Vehicle of the Show and the high-performance 2006 Civic Si Coupe will make its world debut at SEMA.
Metaldyne Execs Stole Trade Secrets, Prosecutors Claim
Two former employees of Metaldyne Corp. — one of them a vice president — were charged Tuesday with stealing the company’s trade secrets to sell to a Chinese competitor. Anne Lockwood, 52, of Rochester Hills and Fuping Liu, 41, a U.S. citizen who lives in Shanghai, China, were charged in a criminal complaint with stealing the company’s technology for making engine connecting rods from powdered metal.
Uni-Select and MAWDI Join Forces in the U.S.
Uni-Select Inc. announced today that, through its subsidiary Uni-Select USA, Inc, it has entered into a binding agreement to join forces with Middle Atlantic Warehouse Distributor, Inc. (MAWDI) in line with its U.S. strategy. MAWDI, which is based in Tonawanda, NY, is a warehouse distributor that operates 31 distribution centers and 145 corporate stores in 18 states. The transaction involves the purchase of all of the stock of MAWDI for cash or a combination of cash and shares. It has also been agreed that MAWDI’s President Jim Buzzard will assume the leadership of Uni-Select USA as its new executive vice president and that, subject to shareholders’ approval, Clay Buzzard will join the board of directors of Uni-Select Inc.
Alltrade Launches New line of HOT ROD Branded Automotive Tools
Shop tool and equipment maker Alltrade Tools LLC recently launched a new line of branded automotive tools and garage equipment, using the Hot Rod magazine name for the new brand. Alltrade teamed up with PRIMEDIA Enterprises, the licensing merchandising division of PRIMEDIA Inc., which publishes HOT ROD magazine. This is the second HOT ROD product line to launch following last year’s debut of the HOT ROD line of garage furniture produced by Sauder Woodworking.
Stoneridge to Form Partnership with India Firm
Stoneridge, Inc., a Howland, Ohio-based maker of wiring components and other vehicle parts, said it expects to grab a larger share of the growing auto parts market in India by forming a joint venture with a large Indian parts maker.
East Penn Scores 100 Percent in Freightliner’s Masters of Quality Award
East Penn Manufacturing Co., was recently presented the Masters of Quality Supplier award given by Freightliner Corp. of Portland, Ore. East Penn manufactures lead-acid batteries and accessories for the commercial, automotive, marine, telecommunications, industrial and stationary markets.
Executive Interview with Terry McCormack, President, Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group (AAG)
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Terry McCormack, president of Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group (AAG). McCormack talked to aftermarketNews.com about the recent news that Dana will divest its aftermarket group. He shared details of the announcement as well as his insights on what this major change means for the company and the division.