Workers Bring Fight to Auto Show: UAW Faction, Backers to Protest Cuts
Droves of out-of-town workers angry with General Motors Corp. and Delphi Corp. are chartering buses, forming caravans and booking hotel rooms in preparation to protest Sunday outside the opening day of the Detroit auto show media preview. The city’s police force has been tapped to monitor potentially as many as 3,000 protesters at Cobo Center. But the protest is not expected to impede attendees. Although the protest is scheduled only from noon to 4 p.m., it could overshadow the excitement domestic automakers need to generate as they fight to regain lost market share.
Gail Holt Promoted to Beck/Arnley’s Vice President of Administration
Gail Holt has been promoted to vice president of administration for Beck/Arnley, according to Max Dull, president and CEO. In her new position, Holt is responsible for customer service, product assurance, credit services and human resources for the company.
Woes In U.S. Auto Industry Expected to Hurt Midwest Most
The Midwest, with its heavy dependence on factory employment, had higher unemployment than the nation this year. Even though manufacturing appears to be rebounding, the region might not catch up in 2006.
AMN Top Ten Week: The Top 10 Newsmakers of 2005
Now in its second year, aftermarketNews, together with its sister publication Counterman magazine, present the Top 10 Newsmakers list. While it is difficult to whittle down the number of influential leaders who are making an impact on this industry today, our editorial team has carefully compiled a list of individuals whom we believe to have left a distinct impression on the marketplace in 2005, and perhaps for years to come.
Non-Profit Organization Expands Relief Effort
Non-profit corporation Scene of the Accident, Inc. has expanded its relief effort that initially provided help for technicians affected by Hurricane Katrina to now assist technicians who experienced a setback from Hurricane Rita.
O’Reilly Automotive Announces Two-for-One Stock Split
The board of directors of O’Reilly Automotive today declared a two-for-one stock split in the form of a 100 percent stock dividend to all shareholders of its common stock as of the close of business on May 31.
Obituary: Former MEMA President and Chairman Jack F. Whitaker Dies
Jack F. Whitaker, former president and CEO of Whitaker Cable Corp., died May 19 in Mission, Kan. He was 90. Whitaker was president and chairman of the board of the Motor Equipment Manufacturers Association, president of the Associated Industries of Missouri, and a director of the National Association of Manufacturers.
Dayco Celebrates Its First Hundred Years
With its celebration slogan “Continuing the Legacy,” Dayco Products, LLC is celebrating its 100th year as a company. In these days of corporate buy-outs and mergers, Dayco has maintained its identity, and in some ways returned to its early roots, to become a highly-respected, worldwide manufacturer of belts, hose, tensioners and related parts for the automotive original equipment and replacement markets. The legacy it celebrates is one of a strong company that has a reputation for an insatiable craving to develop new products, improve established products and increase manufacturing efficiencies.
Littelfuse Appoints Two Sales Managers
The automotive aftermarket division of circuit protection products maker Littelfuse, Inc. has added two executives to its North American sales team. Mike Retheford has been named sales manager for Canada and the western part of the U.S., and Tony D’Acquisto has been appointed district sales manager for the Midwestern U.S. Both changes were announced by Aftermarket Sales Manager Ron Olson and are effective immediately.
Automotive Warehouse Distributors Joins National Pronto Association
Following the news late last month that National Pronto Association and the RPM Group joined forces, the newly merged group has added another new member to its ranks. Automotive Warehouse Distributors, based in Council Bluff, IA, has become the 66th shareholder to join the buying and marketing group.