Bob Gracey Joins Affinia
Sales veteran Bob Gracey has joined Affinia as senior vice president of sales, Under Vehicle Group, effective December 1. Prior to joining Affinia, Gracey served as national sales manager for Timken’s automotive and heavy-duty aftermarket divisions.
Babcox’s Tech Group Magazines Award Several Readers’ Choice Awards
During Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week 2005 in Las Vegas, Underhood Service, ImportCar and Brake & Front End magazines presented several aftermarket companies with its prestigious Readers’ Choice Award. Of the hundreds of advertisers who seek readers’ attention, these companies are among the foremost communicators in the industry. Only 10 companies earned this distinction from each magazine.
Jon Owens Named Publisher of BodyShop Business
Babcox Publications has announced the appointment of Jon Owens as publisher of BodyShop Business magazine.
Editor’s Ink: Raw Materials Hit Raw Nerve For Suppliers
We make our livelihoods in the automotive business, a business born in steel foundries and petroleum refineries. That’s exactly why the market is seeing dire pronouncements from manufacturers as they release their quarterly earnings statements. Many justifiably blame sluggish bottom lines on the cost of the very stuff they need to make and deliver the products you and your customers need to stay in business.
Forbes 400 Platinum List Features Many Automotive Aftermarket and Transportation Players
Since 1999, Forbes magazine has published annually its Forbes 400 Platinum list, which picks the “Best Big Companies” from 26 different industries. There were a number of notable automotive, aftermarket and transportation names among the list this year.
Research Firm Publishes Automotive Suppliers Benchmarking Yearbook
Research and Markets, an international market research provider, recently released “Automotive Suppliers: 2004 Global Best Practices Statistical Yearbook,” a report on automotive supplier benchmarking. The report provides automotive supplier benchmarking data enabling Tier 1-2-3 and aftermarket suppliers to pinpoint how they perform against industry best practices in areas such as cost control, quality, human resource management and R&D.
Diggory Elected Chairman of Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association
William “Bill” Diggory, vice president and general manager of Chicago Rawhide, Elgin, Ill., has been elected 2005 chairman of the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA). Diggory served as HDMA vice chairman in 2004.
Five Industry Leaders Join MEMA Board
Five automotive supplier industry leaders joined the board of directors of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) at the board’s meeting, which took place on Oct. 31 in Las Vegas.
Three Join AASA Board
Three automotive aftermarket executives have joined the board of governors of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). AASA is the aftermarket market segment association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). New board members serving three year terms are: Kevin Baird, CEO, Qualitor Inc., Southfield, Mich.; John Casanova, senior vice president, Remy International, Anderson, Ind.; and John Casanova, senior vice president, Remy International, Anderson, Ind.
Joe Felicelli To Be AASA’s New Chairman
Joe Felicelli, executive vice president, worldwide aftermarket operations, for Federal-Mogul Corp. in Southfield, Mich., will take the reins as the new chairman of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) on Monday, Nov. 1, at the group’s board meeting in Las Vegas. Felicelli is the second aftermarket executive to serve as leader of the association, established in 2002. Current Chairman Charley Johnson, president and CEO of TransPro Inc., in New Haven, Conn., will step down as the group’s first chairman at the November meeting.