MPA Automates Catalog and Product Management with e-Publisher
Motorcar Parts of America (MPA) has partnered with Vertical Development Inc. (VDI) to consolidate its application and technical data into a single relational database. As a result, MPA’s customers can now access the latest product information linked to technical reference bulletins in a single lookup.
Coatings Manufacturer Valspar Acquires De Beer Lafkabrienken B.V.
Coatings manufacturer Valspar Corp. has purchased De Beer Lakfabrieken, a privately-owned, manufacturer and distributor of automotive refinish coatings based in The Netherlands. The acquisition includes De Beer’s subsidiaries in the U.K. and Australia. De Beer, which sells products in more than 65 countries, had sales of approximately $39 million ($50 million at current exchange rates) in 2003. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Aftermarket Veteran George Halford Dies
George Halford, co-owner and vice president of H.B. International Marketing Services, died this week. A Royal Air Force veteran who served in World War II, Halford emigrated to Canada in 1957 and entered the automotive business. In 1966, he purchased BMC dealership for Triumph, MG and Jaguar, and in 1976, opened three jobber stores. Halford formed Tandem Marketing Co., an automotive parts sales agency, in 1980, and in 1987 merged with Bearden Marketing Services to form H.B. International Marketing Services, Inc.
ArvinMeritor to Sell Ohio Trailer Systems Business to Sypris Solutions
ArvinMeritor has announced plans to sell its Kenton, Ohio, trailer systems business to Louisville, Ky.-based Solutions. ArvinMeritor said the sale of the facility, which employs more than 200 people, will allow the company to focus strategically within trailer products on its core processes for the design and assembly of complete systems, which consist of axles, brakes, suspension and ride control. Once the transaction is complete, Sypris Solutions would become a long-term, key supplier of trailer axle beams to ArvinMeritor’s trailer assembly facility in Frankfort, Ky.
Siemens VDO Automotive Names N.A. Williams “Sales Agency of the Year”
Automotive supplier Siemens VDO Automotive has named Atlanta, Ga.-based N.A. Williams Agency “Sales Agency of the Year” for 2003. N.A. Williams is responsible for Siemens VDO Automotive’s sales activities in the Southeast Region, including Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. The N.A. Williams Agency, which was founded in 1934, specializes in the automotive aftermarket, serving a variety of major manufacturers. They have been a representative of Siemens VDO for the past six years.
Learn How to Work Leaner, Faster, Better at GAAS 2004
Early registrants for the ninth annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) program will learn how the aftermarket will work leaner, faster and better at a substantial savings. GAAS 2004 is set for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 18-19, at the Hyatt Regency, Chicago, Ill. Dr. Jeffrey Rosensweig, economist and professor at Emory University, heads the lineup of speakers at GAAS 2004. NASCAR Driver Bill Lester is the featured lunch speaker on Tuesday, May 18. GAAS 2004 will also include two pre-conference events: the 2004 Manufacturers’ Reps Conference on Sunday and Monday, May 16-17, and the University of the Aftermarket Pre-Symposium Seminar on Monday, May 17, “How to Accelerate Your Sales Growth through Increased Customer Loyalty.”
Noble International to Purchase Laser Welding International
Noble International has signed a purchase agreement to acquire Laser Welding International Inc. (LWI). LWI, based in Clinton Township, Mich., is a supplier of laser-welded blanks (LWB) to General Motors. According to Noble’s COO Tim Emmitt, the acquisition of LWI will help expand Noble’s presence with General Motors. The company plans to integrate LWI into Noble Metal Processing over the next several months, Emmitt said.
Tenneco Offers New Limited Lifetime Warranties
Tenneco Automotive is promoting an expanded product guarantee program for 2004. Tenneco is now featuring limited lifetime warranties and a 90-day risk-free trial offer on premium Walker exhaust, Monroe shock and strut, DynoMax performance exhaust and Rancho off-road technologies. The new strategy will also enable aftermarket businesses to enhance bottom-line results while significantly increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty, according to Tenneco Automotive Vice President of Marketing Richard Alameddine.
More Aftermarket Eye Candy at This Year’s North American International Auto Show
Although there’s no shortage of muscle on the main floor at this year’s North American International Auto Show — the 850-horsepower Chrysler ME412 concept is only the beginning — there’s also a subterranean performance theme that’s been missing from previous shows. Once the take-it-or-leave-it realm of marginal players like Daewoo and stillborns like the revival Cunningham sports car, Cobo Center’s downstairs Michigan Hall exhibit area is studded this year with an intriguing array of production vehicles enhanced by aftermarket bolt-on goodies: designer wheels, low-profile tires, oversize brakes, high-performance shock absorbers and more.
Delphi Appoints Three New Sales Managers in North America
Delphi Corp. has named three new sales managers for North America. Jim Eady, Darrel Reuss and Steve Tucker will serve as regional sales managers for vehicle electronics in North America for Delphi Product & Service Solutions. Eady will cover the Southeast, Reuss the Midwest and Tucker the Northeast and all will report to Scott Donnelly, North American vehicle electronics sales manager.