KAPS Warehouse Joins Parts Plus; Marks First New Member of ADN
Idaho-based KAPS Warehouse, Inc. has joined Parts Plus. KAPS’ move makes it the first new member of Automotive Distribution Network (ADN), the new programmed distribution group formed by Parts Plus and Independent Auto Parts of America (IAPA).
DST Unveils Enhancements to TurboParts Ordering System
DST Inc. has unveiled a series of key enhancements to its Internet-based parts ordering system TurboParts. DST said it has expanded functionality and improved speed of the system in response to customer needs as usage exponentially grows and sophistication levels across supply chain tiers increase.
The Year in Review – A Look at the Top 10 News Stories of 2004
Whether you believe 2004 was a good or bad year for the aftermarket, no one can argue this was a big news year for our industry. The year included noteworthy shifts in leadership, mergers, acquisitions and more, most of which will significantly impact the industry for many years to come. Here’s a month-by-month look at what aftermarketNews.com considers to be biggest news events that happened in our industry in 2004.
Charting Your Supply Chain DNA — The DNA Building Blocks
What is the genetic structure of a successful supply chain? This week we want to dig a little deeper into the major elements that make a supply chain competitive.
Herman Trend Alert: States Will Compete for Jobs…and Qualified Workers
State government economic engines have never stopped running. Attracting industry to build the tax base and employment opportunities is vitally important. With business expanding, we will see significantly more activity in this arena, with intensifying competition between states—and counties and cities—to build stronger economic environments.
New Car Care Council Executive Board Created
The Car Care Council, which directs the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign, established a new Executive Board at a special meeting held last month in Detroit. Eleven industry executives were named to the new board, which will provide a leadership and oversight platform to the council.
Aftermarket PR Firm High Performance Prose Under New Ownership
Aftermarket PR Firm High Performance Prose Under New Ownership. Located in Winnetka, Calif., HPP serves as a full service PR agency for such aftermarket clients as Royal Purple, BW-AirWerks (the new forced-air performance program from BorgWarner Turbo Systems North America), Innovative Turbo Systems and Autotecnica. Nicole Girkey has taken ownership of the company, and will serve as CEO of the agency. She purchased the business from Sue Elliott-Sink.
DST Asks: How Do you Make Strategic Business Decisions
There are almost as many sources of reference for making strategic business decisions as there are choices for planning and securing your future. Our respondents to last week’s question were in agreement that it takes collaborative efforts to design and implement a corporate roadmap, including internal management, consultants, observing and copying competitors’ strategies, industry journals and publications and technology supplier partnerships.
Executive Interview with Scott Meyer, President of MEMA
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Scott Meyer, outgoing chairman of the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). As he concludes his time as chairman of the association, he steps into a new role as interim president of MEMA, which is in the midst of celebrating its 100-year anniversary. Join us as Meyer shares his insights on the anniversary of MEMA’s centennial, and what lies ahead for both MEMA and the entire industry.
Ninth Annual GAAS Kicked Off in Chicago
While the theme of this year’s Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) — Leaner, Faster, Better — may connote the automated efficiency of a well-run machine, the true focus of the day’s numerous presentations was on the talented pool of people who make up that machine and how to make better use of them. “The core of any great business is the people,” said GAAS founder and chairman Mort Schwartz, who welcomed approximately 400 aftermarket executives to the event.