Lean Manufacturers Recognized for Excellence
Ten automotive suppliers are among the recipients of the 2004 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing. Dubbed the “Nobel prize of Manufacturing” by Business Week magazine, the Shingo Prize recognizes manufacturers who follow Toyota’s LEAN manufacturing principles. Administered by the College of Business, Utah State University, nine state-level awards and a public-sector category, primarily for Military Depots doing re-manufacturing, have been implemented in recent months.
ASC Promotes Blackerby to COO
ASC Industries, Inc., has promoted William Thomas (Tom) Blackerby Jr. to COO. Prior to this promotion, Blackerby served as executive vice president and CFO for the company. In this new role, Blackerby will assume a more active role in the management of ASC’s Asian facilities and original equipment manufacturing sales efforts.
Experts Warn Industry’s Growth in South Carolina Will Be Flat at Best
South Carolina is chasing automotive manufacturing jobs even as the industry’s work force is slipping away from the U.S. Some experts warn South Carolina will lose its auto jobs too, as automakers and parts companies move jobs abroad or squeeze out jobs at home through efficiency gains. Some experts warn South Carolina will lose its auto jobs too, as automakers and parts companies move jobs abroad or squeeze out jobs at home through efficiency gains.
German Auto Parts Makers Tour Southern U.S. Sites
Ten executives from German companies that serve the automotive industry are in Charlotte, N.C., and upstate South Carolina this week to investigate expansion sites. While rushing to expand in China, German automotive companies still consider the U.S. the most attractive market, in large part because BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Audi continue to increase sales here.
PPG Announces Management Assignments
PPG Industries has announced two management assignments. Reg Norton, director of global manufacturing and supply chain for PPG’s automotive refinish business unit, has been appointed global director, environment, health and safety, effective April 1. He will replace David Cannon Jr., vice president, environment, health and safety, who is leaving the company on March 31. Lynne Schmidt, director of government affairs, will be promoted to vice president, government and community affairs, and executive director of the PPG Industries Foundation, effective July 1.
NASCAR Driver Bill Lester to Give Keynote Address at GAAS
Bill Lester, driver of the No. 8 BHR Dodge in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, will be the luncheon speaker on Tuesday, May 18, at the ninth annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS). GAAS 2004 will take place on May 18-19, at the Hyatt Regency, Chicago, Ill.
Crump to Chair NACE 2004 in Las Vegas
The International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) has re-appointed Vernon Crump, body shop director for John Eagle Collision Center in Dallas, Texas, as chairman for NACE 2004, which will be held Nov. 3-6, in Las Vegas, to coincide with Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW). Crump was NACE 2003 chairman and received accolades for his leadership and experience, and for the innovative programs he introduced at NACE to spotlight new technologies and to strengthen industry and global relationships.
Early Bird Registration Discount Extended For GAAS
There is still time to hear the aftermarket’s leading experts discuss how the industry can work “Leaner, Faster, Better,” at the ninth annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) program – set for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 18-19, at the Hyatt Regency, Chicago, Ill. – at a substantial savings.
Republic Names George Strickler CFO
Former BorgWarner Executive Vice President and CFO George Strickler has been named executive vice president and CFO for Republic Engineered Products, one of North America’s largest producers of special bar quality steel. Prior to joining BorgWarner in 2001, Strickler served as vice president of finance for Akron, Ohio-based Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. He held finance and treasury positions at the tiremaker for 30 years. He was also executive vice president and CFO at Lake West Group, a retail consulting company based in Cleveland, Ohio.
U.S. Faces Decline in Engineers As Student Programs Grow Overseas
The United States faces a shortage of engineers in coming years, and that could diminish the nation’s status as a leader in technology development and innovation, executives and educators say. The looming shortage comes as nations, including China and India, are seeing a boom in the number of students in engineering programs. Assuming the trend continues, it could result in the U.S. continuing to lose technology jobs to overseas competition.