NTEA Names Simpson Communications Public Relations Agency of Record for The Work Truck Show 2005
The National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) has named Simpson Communications as its public relations agency of record for The Work Truck Show 2005, an annual trade show which brings together fleet managers, equipment distributors, manufacturers, leasing company representatives, government officials and other professionals involved in buying, selling or using commercial trucks and transportation equipment.
Torvec Appoints New Management Team
Torvec Inc., a Western New York-based automotive technology firm, has appointed new executives to the positions of CEO, CFO and chairman of the board. Richard Ottalagana, co-founder of PaeTec Communications, a national communications company where he served as executive vice president, has been named CEO of Torvec. Ottalagana replaces former Eastman Kodak Co. executive Eric Steenburgh who has served as CEO and chairman since 2002.
ArvinMeritor Receives $1.7 Million Grant to Develop Exhaust Emissions Technology
ArvinMeritor has been awarded a $1.7 million grant from the Indiana 21st Century Research and Development Fund. The grant will assist in the development of the company’s Plasma Fuel Reformer exhaust emissions technology, which is being developed at the company’s Columbus, Ind., Emissions Technical Center. Purdue University will collaborate with ArvinMeritor to improve fuel spray mixing and combustion processes to help complete the final development of the plasma fuel reformer.
ArvinMeritor and DaimlerChrysler Subsidiary Sign Memorandum of Understanding
ArvinMeritor has signed a memorandum of understanding with DaimlerChrysler subsidiary Axle Alliance Co. (AAC), proposing that ArvinMeritor become the turnkey supplier in providing heavy-duty tandem rear drive axles to AAC, ultimately for Freightliner’s North American Class 8 truck assembly operations.While the proposal is still tentative, if accepted, ArvinMeritor will partner with AAC on the design, development and assembly of heavy-duty axles from ArvinMeritor facilities in York, S.C., Monterrey, Mexico, and Asheville, N.C.
DST Asks: Parts Distributors — Do Your Customers Order Parts Online?
Help Wanted – Parts Counterman, Requirements: Must be willing to work 365 days per year, 24 hours per day. Understands and has committed to memory a world-class multi-line parts catalog. Always knows correct pricing of each item. Processes parts orders in nanoseconds. Never puts customers on hold. Works for electricity – no salary or extra benefits. Any bets on how many responses you’ll get to that classified ad? Selling auto parts would be a lot easier and less costly if you could make those kinds of hires. Actually, it turns out that such resources are available today, just not human resources, the kind we would advertise for in the local paper. Instead, we might call them “cyber-employees” – a new species that forms the backbone of e-business and works in the world of browser-based technology on the Internet.
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.
CSK Auto Corp. Reports First Quarter 2004 Results
CSK Auto Corp., parent company of CSK Auto Inc., has reported its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2004. Sales for the 13 weeks, which ended on May 2, increased $19.7 million to $397.1 million from $377.4 million for the 13 weeks ended May 4, 2003. Same store sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 increased 5 percent compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2003.
European Block Exemption Is Among Top Priorities of Aftermarket Suppliers Group
The European Aftermarket Forum, a peer group of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), has said defining terms in the European Union (EU) block exemption regulations for automotive aftermarket manufacturers trying to gain access to EU markets will be one of its top priorities. The AASA European Aftermarket Forum is a peer group for discussion of aftermarket commercial business issues and actions. Its quarterly meetings are open to aftermarket
American Axle & Manufacturing Announces More Executive Appointments
More executive appointments have been announced at American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AAM), following the appointment of Thomas Martin to the position of vice president of finance and CFO.
From the Inside: Executive Interview with Craig Anderson, President, Hercules Tire & Rubber Co.
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Craig Anderson, president of Hercules Tire & Rubber Co. While Hercules has grown quietly, preferring to remain out of the spotlight, every year brings line expansions, new products and other enhancements designed to help its members and dealer customers grow their businesses. Even after selling off its core retreading business, Hercules posted its best sales year ever in 2002, and again in 2003, and saw each of its divisions turn a profit in 2003. Craig Anderson, president, sat for an interview with Jim Smith, editor of Tire Review magazine in April. The two discussed how the changes impacted Hercules, the company’s plans in the future, and how he sees the market moving in the near-term.