Executive Interview with Gary Halpern, Vice President of Product Development Neutronics
Join us as Gary Halpern, vice president of product development for Neutronics, provides an insider’s perspective on the current R-134a issues and shares with us the message he’s been trying to get out to repair shops for a decade.
Executive Interview with Mort Schwartz, Chairman of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium
Next week, the tenth annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) will take place (May11&12) in Chicago. Celebrating this decade of annual events, the theme for this year’s GAAS is “Lessons from the Past, Perspectives on the Future.” In honor of the this tenth-annual event, we asked Mort Schwartz, chairman of GAAS, to reflect back and give us his own perspective on changes taking place in the industry in the past ten years as well as his favorite memories from past symposiums.
CAWA Holds Legislative Day in Sacramento
The California/Nevada Automotive Wholesalers Association (CAWA) held its annual legislative day in Sacramento last week. A series of meetings were held with key legislative leadership and the executive director of the Bureau of Automotive Repair. The day kicked off with a luncheon with Sen. George Runner (R-CA), the guest of honor. Members discussed with Sen. Runner issues critical to their businesses and the aftermarket industry.
Executive Interview with Steve Marks, Chairman, National Car Care Month Committee
Steve Marks, senior vice president of marketing and advertising for Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, is currently serving as chairman of the National Car Care Month Committee, the group charged with the task of promoting and organizing National Car Care Month in conjunction with the Be Car Care Aware campaign. Here, Marks give us an update on the progress of this year’s National Car Care Month initiatives and some background on his involvement in the campaign.
Executive Interview with Keith Wilson, Vice President and General Manager, Affinia Under Hood Group
Our latest Executive Interview features Keith Wilson, former Dana employee and current vice president and general manager for Affinia’s Under Hood Group. Read on as he brings us up to speed on the transition from Dana AAG to the newly created Affinia. Wilson also talks about the recent sale of Beck/Arnley and the future for the aftermarket industry.
Delco Remy to Offer Electrical System Warranty Services at TravelCenters of America
Remy Inc. has announced an exclusive agreement with TravelCenters of America (TA) to enable its customers to access Delco Remy warranty services through TA’s network of company-operated and franchise Truck Service locations. The expanded Delco Remy parts and warranty access, which will began March 1, builds on the proven success of the TA service program, through which 157 North American locations serve as major referral points for emergency and roadside repairs, warranty service and preventive maintenance.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Talks to Shop Owners About Counterfeiting
For several years now, the automotive aftermarket, as an industry, has made great strides to increase awareness of the issues of counterfeiting and intellectual property rights violations. With these efforts, we’ve come to learn of the startling problems taking place. While efforts are being made to stop trademark violations at the manufacturer level and to keep imported knockoff auto parts from entering the country, if a counterfeit part were to make it into the distribution chain, would shops know what to look for? For this week’s Ask the Industry, we talked to two shop owners to learn more about their knowledge and experiences with counterfeit auto parts.
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.
Car Nuts at Consumer Reports Produce Influential Reviews
Likely you’re familiar with Consumer Reports magazine and its reputation for scrupulous testing of vacuum cleaners, contraceptives, cordless drills, tuna, spray paint and, of course, automobiles. Its April “annual auto issue,” released in March, is must reading not only for car buyers but for car executives. It would be overestimating the reach of Consumer Reports to say it can make or break a vehicle, but not by much. With a circulation of more than 4 million — roughly triple the world’s largest automotive publication — the magazine’s effect is enormous.
Collision Industry Foundation Names Board of Trustees
What began as a single philanthropic gesture has grown into a full-fledged charitable organization backed by the collision industry. The Collision Industry Foundation is closely aligned with the National Auto Body Council, in that the charitable activities it chooses to undertake are those that improve the image of the Collision Repair Industry.