CAWA Elects Four Board Members
The California/ Nevada Automotive Wholesalers Association (CAWA) has elected four members to its board of directors and appointed a new member to its Manufacturers Advisory Council. CAWA is an automotive aftermarket trade association representing more than 550 jobbers, warehouse distributors, retailers and manufacturers in California and Nevada.
Tenneco Automotive Enhances Expert Plus Program
This week, Tenneco Automotive revealed enhancements to its longstanding Expert Plus marketing program for its Monroe and Walker brands. Now in its eighth year, Expert Plus provides member shops with exclusive marketing and merchandising tools and national promotions designed to drive sales within the ride control and exhaust categories.
CAWA Plans 50th Anniversary Celebrations
The California/Nevada Automotive Wholesalers Association (CAWA) is celebrating its 50 year anniversary. Established in 1955 by 26 jobbers throughout California, CAWA continues today as one of the nation’s premiere regional automotive parts trade associations. CAWA has planned celebratory activities that will occur throughout the year in California and Nevada culminating with the annual CAWA meeting during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week in Las Vegas.
Investor Slams GenCorp
Hedge fund Steel Partners II LP on Thursday, Nov. 11, launched a $708 million hostile bid for GenCorp Inc., attacking the aerospace conglomerate for its subpar financial performance and questioning the company’s deal making record. “Management and the board appear to have engaged in what can be best described as a game of gin rummy by buying and selling businesses with no clear corporate strategy and with very poor results, including the recent sale of the GDX Automotive business at a loss of over $300 million,” said Warren Lichtenstein, managing partner at Steel, in a letter to GenCorp’s board.
Falken Tire to Debut New Spec Sport Radial at SEMA Show
Falken Tire Corp. has announced it will debut next month its next generation of race tuned (RT) Spec Sport Radials designed for the North American and global markets.
MPA Wins Industry Product Quality Leadership Award
Motorcar Parts of America (MPA) has been honored by Frost & Sullivan with the 2004 Product Quality Leadership Award, for the North American Automotive Starter and Alternator Aftermarket. Frost & Sullivan is a leading growth consulting firm.
ASA Announces Collision Division, Mechanical Division Operations Committees
Automotive Service Association (ASA) members have elected committee members for its Collision and Mechanical Divisions. Michael Anderson of Wagonwork Collision Center in Alexandria, Va., has been appointed Collision Division Director. Anderson will serves on ASA’s board of directors and will chair the 2004 ASA Collision Division Operations Committee. ASA members have also elected Earl Dohner, AAM, of E&E’s Garage in Brookville, Ohio, as Mechanical Division Director. Dohner will serve on ASA’s board of directors and will chair the 2004 ASA Mechanical Division Operations Committee.
Universal Automotive Reports Results for 2003 Year, Fourth Quarter
Universal Automotive Industries has reported financial results for its fourth quarter and year, which ended Dec. 31, 2003. The company said it is making progress integrating the assets it acquired from TRW Automotive, Inc. in January 2004, which effectively doubled Universal’s size.
Tenneco Automotive Named a 2003 Vendor of the Year by Advance Auto Parts
Tenneco Automotive has received a 2003 Vendor of the Year Award from Advance Auto Parts, recognizing the company as a top performing, service-oriented supplier during the past year. The award was announced at the recently held Advance Auto Parts Leadership Conference.
Walker Exhaust Announces Special Spring Trade Promotion
Walker Exhaust is offering a special spring trade promotion that enables undercar professionals to earn $25 gift cards, be entered into weekly $500 cash giveaways and participate in a sweepstakes drawing for a premium home theater system.