ProQuest Sells Dealer Management System Business
ProQuest Co., a leading publisher of information solutions for the education, automotive and power equipment markets, has sold its powersports dealer management system (DMS) business to the Dealer Services Group of Automatic Data Processing. ProQuest will continue to provide parts and service products for powersports, recreational vehicle and marine dealers as part of a distributor agreement also entered into with ADP.
ASA Tire Systems to Sell TireMaster Software for Bandag’s QDS Subsidiary
Bandag Inc. has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with ASA Tire Systems to sell TireMaster software for tire and auto service dealerships. TireMaster products are designed, developed and supported by Quality Design Systems, Inc. (QDS), a subsidiary of Bandag. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Goodyear Adds 150 Jobs at Gadsen, Ala., Plant
Goodyear Tire & Rubber has added 150 new jobs at its plant in Gadsen, Ala. The workers will help produce tires for the company’s new Assurance tire line. Goodyear moved production of the Assurance ComforTred tire to the plant as resolution to a contract dispute with the United Steelworkers of America (UAW).
Keystone Automotive Industries Reports Fourth Quarter, Year-End Results
Keystone Automotive Industries has reported results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year, which ended on March 26. The company said it surpassed the $500 million sales milestone for the year. Keystone distributes products primarily to collision repair shops through 125 distribution facilities, located in 38 states and Canada. The company’s product lines consist of automotive body parts, bumpers and remanufactured alloy wheels, as well as paint and other materials used in repairing a damaged vehicle.
Fire at Goodyear Plant, No One Injured
A fire broke out at a Goodyear Tire & Rubber plant in Decatur, Ga., on Tuesday. While four engine companies responded to the five-alarm-fire, no one was injured and the plant suffered virtually no damage.
Aftermarket eForum Early-Bird Registration Deadline Extended
The Early Bird registration deadline for the Aftermarket eForum, which will take place on Monday, Aug. 2, through Wednesday, Aug. 4 in Chicago has been extended to Wednesday, June 30. The eForum agenda includes presentations on data warehousing, product data synchronization; e-commerce for small business; modern shop technology; paperless warehouse operation, forecasting and inventory planning, plus much more.
Pirelli Names VP of Advertising, PR and Motorsports
Pirelli Tire North America (PTNA) has appointed Peter Tyson vice president, advertising, public relations and motorsports. Tyson was hired by Pirelli UK as director of marketing in 1984 and helped revitalize the then-ailing Pirelli brand. In 1993, Tyson was promoted to the position of director of global brand support at Pirelli Pneumatici S.p.A.
Nextel Debuts TV Spots with Gordon and Kenseth
Nextel Communications entered into the second phase of its NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series advertising campaign on Sunday, May 30, during the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. Nextel unveiled two television spots featuring series champions Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth and their No. 24 and No. 17 racing teams, respectively.
IAPA Holds Annual Meeting, Honors Outstanding Vendors
San Francisco and the Sonoma Wine Country provided the backdrop for the Independent Auto Parts of America (IAPA) recent annual membership meeting. IAPA’s 192 members, along with family, manufacturers, suppliers and guests attended the event, which took place at the world-renowned Fairmont Hotel on May 22-25.
REVVING HER ENGINE: Girls Enjoy Being Gearheads, Too
The full set of acrylic nails Ashley Pawlowski got before going to the senior prom with her boyfriend is not quite so full. The nail on her left pinky has come off and the air-brushed french manicure is chipping away. This, said the 17-year-old Canton, Mich., High School junior, comes from repeatedly washing oil and grease off her hands with an acetone-based soap. Ashley is a “gearhead,” slang for self-professed auto mechanic junkies whose tastes range from routine maintenance to restoring old cars to high performance engineering.