O’Reilly Teams with IRI to Drive Assortment and Space Planning Optimization
Information Resources, Inc., a provider of consumer, shopper and retail market intelligence and insights, has announced that O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. is the latest retailer to implement the IRI space planning software suite, including Apollo Designer Workstation and Apollo Professional, to optimize category assortments and planograms for its 1,700 stores.
CADNA Introduces ArmorMark Platinum Series Timing Belt Tensioner Kits
MEMPHIS, TN — Designed to maximize coverage and reduce inventory, CADNA Automotive has introduced its new ArmorMark Platinum Series Timing Belt Tensioner Kits to the automotive aftermarket. “Unlike competitive programs that are limited to only ‘belt-centric’ assortments, our beltless kit optimizes inventory expense by over 40 percent so jobbers and WDs can offer increased vehicle
Herman Trend Alert: The Future of Customer Loyalty
Driven by consumer behavior, in the future, we will see some interesting changes in the field of customer loyalty programs. The megatrend towards globalization will have two major effects. First, international borders will no longer be the dividing lines that we see today. We will see more worldwide and macro-regional programs, as opposed to today’s that are country-centric. Second, globalization will mean that customer loyalty will be more difficult to develop, because consumer values are shifting.
Decker Auto Supply Chooses DST’s TurboParts II
MISSION VIEJO, CA — Decker Auto Supply, an independent full line warehouse in the Fresno, CA, area and a National Pronto Association Member, has completed its implementation of TurboParts II e-commerce parts ordering and sales system developed by DST Inc., an IBM Optimized Business Partner and provider of end-to-end parts supply chain solutions. Decker Auto
Professional’s Choice Annual Convention Recognizes Members, Vendors and Future Aftermarket Threats
Last week’s APA/Professional’s Choice convention showed just how important “recognition” is, whether it’s recognition of employees, suppliers — or even outside threats. According to research, 88 percent of employees across all industries cite “lack of acknowledgement” as their top workplace issue. In fact, studies show that employee acknowledgement is more important than even those all-important perks like benefits and pay. This point was illustrated in a very entertaining manner at last week’s APA/Professional’s Choice annual convention, held in Miami, FL.
Goodyear Creates New Internal Organization
Goodyear’s North American Tire division has created a new internal team called the Customer Development Organization. The announcement was made today at Goodyear’s annual dealer conference in Orlando, FL. Led by former Dunlop brand director Andy Traicoff, the new organization will integrate the company’s multiple brands and channels to help dealers choose the best tire lines to offer at their specific businesses. Director Traicoff will report to Jack Winterton, Goodyear’s vice president of customer and channel development.
Polk Acquires AIC Price and Specification Business from Autobytel
R. L. Polk & Co. has purchased Automotive Information Center (AIC), the price and specification business of Autobytel. Through this acquisition, Polk plans to strengthen its platform for growth within the price and specification sector by adding key North American market planning information to its expanding global network of resources. Under the terms of the deal, Autobytel received license to use AIC data with its Internet business, including consumer sites such as Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, CarSmart.com, and Car.com.
ALLDATA Selected As Trade Magazine Readers’ Favorite
ELK GROVE, CA — ALLDATA, a provider of diagnostic, repair and estimating information to the professional automotive service industry, has received the prestigious 2006 Underhood Service and ImportCar Readers’ Choice Award. For the fourth year in a row, ALLDATA, an AutoZone company, was again selected as a Readers’ Choice Award winner for 2006 by the
Aftermarket Sales and Marketing Veteran Lonnie Mayne Joins Mindshare Technologies as EVP of Sales
Mindshare Technologies, a provider of real-time customer feedback solutions, today announced that Lonnie Mayne has accepted the position of executive vice president of sales. In this capacity, he will oversee the company’s sales efforts worldwide. Mayne’s notable background includes more than 19 years of executive leadership in sales, marketing and operations. Mayne joined Mindshare from the Affinia Group in Michigan , where he served as vice president of special market sales.
Affinia Group Restructures Marketing Organization
Affinia Group Inc. has announced the transformation of its marketing organization, including the creation of four new, high-level positions, first announced to the public last week. According to Terry McCormack, president and chief executive officer of Affinia, this move will place increased emphasis on global thinking and the use of category management to drive customer-facing decisions.