SEMA Show Gears Up for Sellout Year
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) says that manufacturers of automotive accessories are showing no signs of slowing down, as evidenced by the 1,643 exhibitors that have already signed up to participate in the 2008 SEMA Show this November. The SEMA show takes place Tuesday-Friday, Nov. 4-7 in Las Vegas. The trade-only event targets the $36.7 billion automotive specialty-equipment market, which includes products that enhance the styling and functionality of cars, trucks and SUVs.
Autologue Computer Systems Expands Its AIS Warehouse Advantage Program to Large Distributors
Autologue’s AIS Warehouse Advantage Program, originally designed as a management system for small- to medium-sized jobbers, has been expanded for large warehouse distributors. According to Autologue, the AIS system contains all the necessary EDI ordering connections to the warehouse distributor as well as the ability to provide custom pricing upload files. The AIS System comes with a high-performance Linux Server that connects to most Microsoft PC networks.
The Pulse: Online Parts Ordering Has Increased in Recent Years
Each week, The Pulse provides insight into the buying, sourcing and brand-loyalty habits of counter personnel and professional technicians. This week, using Babcox Research, we look at the increasing popularity of the Internet for parts ordering purposes. Data comes from the Babcox 2007 Tech Group* Internet Study.
Bosal Opens New Headquarters and Manufacturing Facility in Michigan
Bosal International North America, a member of the Bosal Group, a global manufacturer of exhaust systems and components, has opened a new 183,000-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing plant in Ypsilanti, MI. The new, $25 million production facility combines two former Bosal operations in the Detroit area — the Warren, MI, production site and Ann Arbor, MI, technical center.
Vertical Development Offers New CD Catalog Production Technology
Vertical Development, Inc. (VDI) has developed a new technology enabling aftermarket manufacturers to distribute catalog data on CD and then post updates online. As a result, manufacturers can get valuable product data into their customers’ hands faster, without incurring additional CD production, replication and mailing costs.
AAIA Seeks Committee Volunteers
BETHESDA , MD – The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) is now taking nominations for 2008 standing committees. The available committees include Audit Committee, Category Management, Education, Government Affairs, Leadership Development Network, Market Research, Marketing and Member Relations, Show and Technology Standards and Solutions. These committees primarily meet two times a year in conjunction with
AAIA Now Reserving Meeting Space for Business Center at AAPEX
AAIA is now accepting meeting space reservations for its business center at this year’s Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), Oct. 30-Nov.1, in Las Vegas. Any AAIA member who is interested in reserving a private conference room should email [email protected]. Specify contact name, email and telephone number (including on-site contact information), company name, date and time
From Counterman.com: Where Have All the Product Reps Gone?
This week, read Counterman columnist Gary Goms’ perspective on the loss of product reps in today’s world. "Like the last of the dinosaurs, a few product reps are occasionally spotted in the steamy, warm climates of trade shows," Goms said. "But rarely are they spotted in an auto repair shop advising the installer how to use a product or how to sell its benefits to the paying customer."
From Counterman.com: Managing a Moving Target
In today’s connected, electronic age, few store managers would consider going back to the “good old days” — those times not so long past when inventories were manually recorded and managed on cards. These days, the very idea of inventory cards seems like the Stone Age, and in many ways, it was. Today, the entire supply chain — from manufacturer to warehouse to store to installer — is interconnected through sophisticated store management software packages and systems that provide business information and controls that were not possible even two years ago.
Buyer Cerberus Launches First Foray Into Automaking
The $7.4 billion buyout of DaimlerChrysler AG’s Chrysler Group by Cerberus Capital Management LP is a watershed for the struggling U.S. automotive industry. For the first time in decades, a domestic auto company will be operated in private, not under the scrutiny of shareholders. It is unknown how the buyer will handle Chrysler and its premier Toledo, OH-born Jeep brand, but the purchase will enlarge Cerberus’ stable of more than 45 firms.