Discussion on Promoting Supplier-Technician Dialogue Slated for 2008 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Steve Handschuh, president and COO of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), and Ron Pyle, president of the Automotive Service Association (ASA,) will present "Let’s Talk: Promoting Dialogue Among Suppliers and Technicians" at the 2008 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) on Tuesday, May 20, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in
Hundreds Turn Out for AAIA Spring Leadership Days
Despite the travel hurdles many faced last week as American Airlines cancelled hundreds of flights, roughly 400 aftermarket executives turned out to participate in the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association’s (AAIA) Spring Leadership Days. The biannual gathering of AAIA leadership and industry volunteers took place April 9-11 in Bonita Springs, Fla. In addition to the more than 25 AAIA market segment and committee meetings that took place during the event, the association held its annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon and State of the Association address on Thursday, during which Jerry O’Pry kicked off his term as chairman of the AAIA Board of Directors for 2008-2009.
GAAS Approved for University of the Aftermarket AAP and MAAP Credits
The upcoming Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) has been approved for continuing education credits (CEU) by Northwood University’s University of the Aftermarket. The Symposium is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday May 20-21, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago. GAAS attendees will earn 1.0 CEUs toward the Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) or Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) certifications.
Fast Undercar Signs on as a Sponsor of CAWA’s Government Affairs Program
RANCHO CORDOVA, CA — The California/Nevada/Arizona Automotive Wholesalers Association (CAWA) has announced that Fast Undercar, Inc. has made a major financial commitment to CAWA’s government affairs program. Fast Undercar joins other supporters including NAPA, CARQUEST, AutoZone, Affinia (WIX and Raybestos), Standard Motor Products, Gates and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association. Bruce Douglass of Fast Undercar,
Peak Motor Oil to Sponsor Indycar Series Pole Award
PEAK Motor Oil has announced it will sponsor the PEAK Motor Oil Pole Award at all 2008 IndyCar Series events. The award, presented to the fastest qualifier each race weekend, builds on the strong partnership already in place between the IndyCar Series and PEAK Performance Products. The PEAK Motor Oil Pole Award will give $10,000 to the fastest qualifier at each race on the schedule except for the Indianapolis 500, where it will award $100,000 for the top qualifier. In addition to the $100,000 for the Indianapolis 500 polesitter, PEAK will award $25,000 to the second place Indianapolis 500 qualifier, and $10,000 for the third-place qualifier. These top-three qualifiers will make up the PEAK Motor Oil Front Row.
Champion Laboratories Names Mike Boyer Director of Aftermarket Sales
Mike Boyer has been appointed the new director of aftermarket sales for Champion Laboratories. In his new role, Boyer will be responsible for the management of filtration sales to both the retail and traditional market channels. Boyer joined Champion Laboratories in January 2005 as director of retail sales and marketing. In that position, Boyer spearheaded Champ’s retail sales efforts, developed strategic plans for retail sales growth, implemented a new category-management culture, managed customer and industry data to facilitate growth, developed promotions and sales support and assisted on other key initiatives for parent company United Components, Inc.
ASA Celebration of Excellence, AMI Graduation to be Held During 2008 Annual Convention
The Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) 2008 Annual Convention will be held May 1-3 at the Hyatt Regency in Santa Clara, CA. Among the highlights of the event will be ASA’s annual Celebration of Excellence – a special evening function dedicated to honoring the achievements of ASA members. AutoZone is sponsoring ASA’s Celebration of Excellence this year, which will take place Saturday, May 3, from 7 to 9:30 pm.
From Counterman.com: Publisher’s Perspective — Big Chains Get Bigger
Our annual review of the top 20 Super Stores reveals that much maneuvering and positioning has gone on in the past year and will continue in ’08. Once again this month we conduct our annual review of the top 20 Super Stores in the United States, and once again we find the big chains are continuing to get bigger. While few significant moves were made in ’07, as I write this article we are closely monitoring a major development among two of the top five store chains: O’Reilly’s attempt to purchase CSK. If successful, this will be a key advancement for O’Reilly, not just in store count but (perhaps, more importantly) in geographic coverage and shareholder value.
From Counterman.com: The Top 20 Super Stores of 2007
By Counterman Staff This month, Counterman examines those store groups that made notable acquisitions or changes over the past 12 months. For the complete list of the top 20 store groups in the market, click here. At first glance, Counterman’s Super Stores list might look a lot like last year’s and the year before —
Register Now for Aftermarket’s Premier Conference and Save $200
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – By registering now, attendees at the 2008 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) program can hear an exciting lineup of speakers and industry leaders as they discuss "Shift Forward" at a $200 savings. The event will take place Tuesday, May 20, and Wednesday, May 21, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in