Herman Trend Alert: Graduates Lack Life Skills
One of the refrains we often hear from employers is that graduates lack skills, particularly life skills. They tell us that many young people graduate from high school or college without knowing the basics: literacy, numeracy, what it takes to hold a job, or balance a checkbook. In a study by the Pew Charitable Trust, 50 percent of college graduates were found to be lacking in simple life skills. These grads were tested for three types of literacy skills: analyzing news stories and other prose, understanding documents, and having math skills needed for balancing checkbooks or figuring restaurant tips.
Executive Interview: Alliance President and CEO Richard Morgan Talks about the 2007 Charity Cars Campaign
Last week at AAPEX, Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance unveiled a new nationwide charitable program through which members of Bumper to Bumper and Auto Value will utilize their unique automotive skills and resources to help provide refurbished vehicles to victims of domestic abuse in their communities. aftermarketNews had the chance to learn a bit more about the campaign from Alliance President and CEO Richard “Dick” Morgan.
Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper Launches National Charity Program
A new nationwide program that helps victims of domestic violence and abuse gain their freedom through the donation of refurbished cars has been launched by Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper. This unprecedented vehicle gift program is sponsored by the warehouses, parts stores and certified service centers flying the Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper flags. Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, parent company of Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper, announced the new program yesterday at AAPEX.
Alliance Member Lee Auto Parts Showcases Automotive-Themed Charity Event
When Lee Auto Parts began looking to hold a charitable event last year to publicize the Bumper to Bumper brand, the warehouse considered a lot of options. In the end, however, the Chicago-based Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance member decided to do what it knows best: fix cars.
Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance Achieves Record Attendance at its ‘Turning up the Heat’ National Training Convention
More than 1,700 part stores, certified service centers, warehouse distributors and manufacturers got the hottest seats in San Antonio at Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance’s “Turning up the Heat” convention April 19-23. The third national convention for Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper proved to be the best yet with record breaking attendance, according to the Alliance.
OBITUARY: Frank R. Shary (1934-2006)
The youngest of Ignatius and Mary Sucharyk’s four children, Frank Robert Shary entered this world on Nov. 17, 1934, in Cleveland, OH. When Shary took a job at a local service station as a young man, little did anyone know that it would launch an illustrious career in the automotive industry for more than 40 years.
Herman Trend Alert: Housing Shortages Hinder Economic Development
Small and mid-sized communities strive to improve their economic strengths by attracting new employers. Those companies bring jobs that need people who are educated, trained and ready to work. If those workers are available, everybody wins. If people are available, but not qualified, the community and the company must find resources to train them to do the work. With our growing global economy, many communities are fortunate to have existing companies expanding. Existing employers also feel the same need for increasing numbers of qualified employees.
Industry Veteran Barry Breslow Passes Away
Industry veteran Barry Breslow passed away on Friday, December 23, after a long battle with cancer. Breslow was an aftermarket industry veteran, an Auto International Association (AIA) Hall of Fame member, and one of the original owners of Autospecialty Inc. He and his business partner, Dino Crescentini, built Autospecialty into a replacement parts powerhouse during the early ‘90s. In 1997, with annual sales exceeding $75 million, they sold the company to Lucas-Varity.
Modine Employees, Company Match Raise More Than $150,000 for Hurricane Relief Efforts
Modine Manufacturing Co. announced this week that its charitable foundation and employees worldwide have now donated more than $150,000 to hurricane relief agencies to help those devastated by the recent storms. The money donated will be used to help the hundreds of thousands of people in Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and Alabama, who are trying to rebuild their lives after Hurricane Katrina, Rita and now Wilma.
NASCAR Drivers Set Aside Time to Personally Meet Auction Winners
Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and Kevin Harvick, partnering with auction Web site GoMotorBids.com, recently raised a combined dollar amount that was just under $100,000 in a 16-day online auction for the driver’s respective charitable foundation.