ASC Adds West Coast National Accounts Manager
ASC Industries has hired Alfred Cardoza as its new West coast national accounts manager. In this new role, Cardoza will be responsible for growing sales and managing account activity West of the Rocky Mountains. ASC recently expanded its distributor network in the West.
Earl Scheib Adds Two Board Directors
The board of directors for Earl Scheib Inc. has appointed James Burra and Salvatore Zizza as members. The board also accepted the resignation of Gregory Helm from the board. Helm resigned to pursue other interests. Earl Scheib is a nationwide operator of 115 auto paint and body shops throughout the U.S.
Terry Shively Named Vice President and General Manager of Clevite Engine Parts Division
Terry Shively has been named vice president and general manager of Dana’s Engine and Fluid Management Group’s Clevite Engine Parts Division. Terry McCormack, president of the Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group (AAG) made the announcement.
It’s Not Too Late to Celebrate National Car Care Month
April is National Car Care Month (NCCM) and while it is now less than a month away, it’s not too late to get in the game. Car Care events last year provided startling results with ninety percent of vehicles that were inspected during National Car Care Month failing one or more aspects of the inspection, according to the Car Care Council. Don’t let 2004 be a repeat performance.
SCO Files Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Against AutoZone
The SCO Group, which owns the UNIX operating system, has filed suit against AutoZone, alleging violations of SCO’s UNIX copyrights through its use of Linux. SCO’s lawsuit alleges that AutoZone violated SCO’s UNIX copyrights by running versions of the Linux operating system that contain code, structure, sequence and/or organization from SCO’s proprietary UNIX System V code in violation of SCO’s copyrights.
TI Automotive to Build New Plant in Mexico
TI Automotive, a supplier of fully integrated fluid storage and delivery systems, plans to build its seventh manufacturing plant in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The new 60,000-square-foot facility will employ 400 people and will produce brake and fuel lines for automotive assembly plants in North America. The plant is expected to open this summer.
Titan Permanently Closes Natchez Plant; Considers Venture for Brownsville Plant
Titan International has reported that it will permanently close its tire plant in Natchez, Miss., and possibly pursue a joint venture with an unnamed party for its Brownsville, Texas, facility.
Exide Signs Exclusive Supply Agreement with TBC Corp.
Exide Technologies has signed an exclusive supply agreement with TBC Corp., one of the largest marketers of automotive replacement tires in the U.S. A significant new customer for Exide, the agreement with TBC includes the company’s recent acquisition of National Tire & Battery (NTB) from Sears, Roebuck and Co., which was completed in November 2003.
Parts Distributor Leverages Technology to Achieve Growth Profitability
Georgia parts distributor, Powertrain Inc. of Savannah, has reported a 25 percent growth in the company’s billed labor time since it began using DST Inc.’s DSTWare Service module to manage both its parts distribution and service business. With 33 percent of its business mix consisting of service, the Durrence’s have said they attribute this growth to the software’s ease of use.
Restructuring Charges Drive Midas to a Net Loss of $76.2 Million in 2003
Midas reported a net loss of $76.2 million — or $4.93 per diluted share — for fiscal 2003, which ended Jan. 3. Midas said the loss is primarily the result $102.6 million in charges related to its restructuring, completed in April. As part of the restructuring, Midas exited its wholesale distribution business and refocused its resources on retail franchising and real estate businesses.