NAPA/ASE Name Parts Specialist of the Year
Mike Mrozinski, a manager at Capital and Auto National Truck Service in Albany, N.Y., was recently named the 2004 NAPA/ASE Parts Specialist of the Year. Now in its fifth year, the NAPA/ASE Parts Specialist of the Year is awarded to a parts professional within the NAPA organization who demonstrates superior parts knowledge and business practices, a commitment to customer service and training, involvement in the community and outstanding service to the automotive parts, repair and maintenance industry. Judges include representatives from ASE, trade press, universities and aftermarket industry associations. Mrozinski was unanimously selected by the judges.
Tenneco Automotive Expands ‘Expert Plus’ Rewards Program
Tenneco Automotive’s Monroe shocks and struts and Walker exhaust brands have expanded the Expert Plus automotive service promotions and technician rewards program for 2004. Expert Plus is a comprehensive offering of national trade and consumer promotions, marketing materials, merchandising tools and installation incentives for automotive repair facilities and professional technicians. The program attracted more than 20,000 members in 2003.
Automakers Help Allies Handle Crises
Seeking to mitigate disaster costs after events such as 9/11 and last year’s blackout, Detroit automakers said Wednesday they’ll ask their suppliers and dealers to take part in a crisis management plan that will prepare them for emergencies. The automakers, working together through a trade organization called the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), released a booklet that could serve as a guide for suppliers and dealers that either don’t have a contingency plan or want to modify an existing one. GM said that it will begin rolling out the process to all its 3,700 suppliers next week. The AIAG said the plan is voluntary for suppliers and will result in minimal costs for the companies.
New Tire May Put Goodyear on Track
It’s a mystery tire that’s making a lot of tire dealers, analysts and investors excited — and seems to be pushing the stock upward. Goodyear Tire & Rubber plans to launch a new high-end line of passenger tires next month with huge fanfare at its annual convention of dealers and distributors in Orlando, Fla. Some say the tire line, known as Assurance, could become Goodyear’s hottest-selling new line in a decade, a move that could go a long way to helping the Akron, Ohio-based company boost its flagging sales and turn around three years of losses.
OE Suppliers May Drop By 50 Percent: Group Predicts Half Will Go Under by 2010
The auto industry is on track to lose half of its parts suppliers by 2010 because of escalating pressure to reduce component prices. That prediction from the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA), a trade group that represents suppliers, comes in response to a new survey that found automakers are demanding more and steeper price cuts from parts makers.
MACS Announces New Sponsorships for 2004 Convention
Four Seasons, a division of Standard Motor Products, has announced its sponsorship of “Crank it UP!” — the 24th annual Convention and Trade Show of the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide. The convention takes place January 22-24 at the Caribe Royale All-Suite Resort in Orlando, Fla. Sanden International has announced its gold sponsorship of the event, bringing drag racing legend Big Daddy Don Garlits to the convention to present the keynote speech during a luncheon on Saturday, January 24th at noon. Garlits will speak on teamwork and working toward success.
Universal Automotive Acquires Three Brands from TRW Automotive’s Kelsey-Hayes Subsidiary
Universal Automotive has purchased several business assets of TRW Automotive’s Kelsey-Hayes subsidiary. The Livonia, Mich.-based businesses sold for $11 million in cash plus additional contingent payments. Universal has acquired the Autospecialty, ValuMaxx and Power Stop brands from Kelsey-Hayes. It also has entered into a licensing agreement for the use of the TRW trademark for premium quality brake rotors and drums and a supply agreement for TRW suspension products.
SEMA Show 2004 Space Selection Begins in February
Online space selection for the SEMA Show 2004 will begin the week of Feb. 9. The trade show is scheduled to take place Nov. 2 through Nov. 5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The online selection for exhibit location will be made according to a company’s seniority as SEMA Show exhibitor, and their membership in SEMA and/or the Tire Industry Association (TIA).
Car Care Council Reports Increased Web Site Usage, Women’s Board Membership Up
In 2003, usage of the Car Care Council’s Car Care Newspaper Supplement (CCNS) Web site grew dramatically, the council said. The growth coincides with the first year of the Car Care Council’s “Be Car Care Aware” consumer-education campaign. In addition to the news of increased usage of Car Care Council materials, the Car Care Council Women’s Board’s announced that its membership more than doubled in 2003, setting a record high number.
Timken to Sponsor ‘Engineer of the Year’ Award
Timken has announced it will sponsor the Design News “Engineer of the Year” award at the National Design Engineering Show. The award, voted on by readers of Design News, will be presented at a banquet in February at McCormick Place in Chicago. Established in 1987, the Engineer of the Year award recognizes the individuals behind significant developments in the field of engineering. It is the top honor presented at the show, which is part of National Manufacturing Week from Feb. 23-26, 2004. Design News is a trade magazine covering mechanical and electromechanical design engineering.