OBITUARY: Former Firestone President DiFederico Dies
AKRON, OH — Former Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. president Mario DiFederico, 86, died last week in Akron. DiFederico died on November 8, in Akron from complications of Parkinson’s disease. DiFederico graduated from the University of Akron in 1943 and attended the Sloan School of Management at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Upon graduation from
Automobile Recycling Business Has Changed Dramatically
As Gary Ackerman approaches through a hallway at LKQ Star Auto Parts, there’s no confusing him with Redd Foxx, who played the role of Fred Sanford in the 1970s sitcom "Sanford and Son." And there’s certainly no confusing the multimillion-dollar automotive recycling business that Ackerman runs on Janesville’s south side with the junkyard Sanford and his son labored over in Los Angeles. Parts still may be parts, but the process of getting them from one user to another is radically different.
GUEST COMMENTARY: How to Go Beyond Customer Service and Deliver Customer Value
The following guest commentary comes from Joe Mejaly, vice president and general manager of ArvinMeritor’s Commercial Vehicle Aftermarket (CVA) business. His comments are excerpted from remarks made in October to a national meeting of warehouse distributors and independent service garage operators. ArvinMeritor provides its parts and services to and through authorized parts outlets, including warehouse distributors and OE dealers.
AAIA Town Hall Features Face The Nation’s Bob Schieffer
Taking center stage at this year’s 10th-annual AAIA Town Hall, held Wednesday morning in the Venetian hotel’s Palazzo ballroom, was Bob Schieffer, anchor of "Face the Nation" and CBS News chief Washington correspondent. He offered his candid views and predictions on political, economic and global issues, engaging the audience of more than 1,000 with his sense of humor, stories of the good ‘ole days growing up in Texas with childhood friend Dick Morgan and early journalism adventures that helped shape his career as a reporter. Sponsored by NASCAR Performance, the 2007 AAIA Town Hall, was moderated by Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO, and featured Dick Morgan, AAIA chair and president and CEO of Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc.
DENSO Announces First-half Financial Results, Global Consolidated Net Sales Rise 14.5 Percent
KARIYA, Japan – DENSO this week announced global financial results for the first half year, ended Sept. 30. Consolidated net sales totaled $16.9 billion, a 14.5 percent increase from the previous year. Consolidated operating income totaled $1.5 billion, a 22.3 percent increase from the previous year. Consolidated net income totaled $1 billion, a 25.7 percent
Executive Interview with Jay Pittas, President, Remy Electrical Aftermarket
This week’s Executive Interview features Jay Pittas, president for the Electrical Aftermarket business of Remy International. Pittas joined Remy in 2006 from Eagle-Picher Automotive where he served as president of the Wolverine Specialty Materials business. Prior to joining EaglePicher, Pittas held progressive positions with Honeywell, ARI Technologies and UOP. Pittas has nearly 30 years of manufacturing experience, holding management positions in customer service, sales, technical support and process engineering. He has been responsible for leading business expansion through new customer and international market development, implemented Six Sigma and other productivity programs and organized teams to meet competitive challenges. Pittas completed the chemical engineering program at the University of Notre Dame and the engineering management program at Hamilton University. Join us as Pittas shares with aftermarketNews the latest details on Remy’s Prepackaged Plan of Reorginzation as well as the company’s plans
Peak Launches Motor Oil Brand with IndyCar Series
LAS VEGAS – Powerhouse automotive brand PEAK is expanding beyond antifreeze into a new line of premium quality motor oils, and will feature the IndyCar Series, Indianapolis 500 and Danica Patrick in rolling out its latest products as part of a multi-year official partner agreement signed with the IndyCar Series. Representatives from Old World Industries’
The Evolution of Aftermarket Product Lines, Part Four: Questions and Answers
Technology and the global economy are forcing the industry to ask some fundamental questions about the way suppliers and distributors address the products they make, buy and sell. In part four of a five-part series, Dave Caracci continues to look at some of these questions and offers some possible answers.
AIM Offers Daily iPod Nano Giveaway During AAPEX 2007
RANCHO CORDOVA, CA — To celebrate its 40th anniversary, AIM will offer a daily giveaway during AAPEX 2007 in Las Vegas. Visitors to the AIM AAPEX Booth #1564 in the Sands Expo Center will have the chance to win an iPod Nano from Tuesday, Oct. 30 through Thursday, Nov. 1. One iPod Nano will be
WAI Introduces New Engine Management Product Line Using Omnitek’s CARS Product
Wetherill Associates, Inc. (WAI), a Pennsylvania-based, global supplier of auto parts, has selected Omnitek Information Systems Inc. to introduce its new engine management product line. WAI selected Omnitek’s Computerized Automotive Research System (CARS) to help produce and organize the cataloging for the new line.