Qualitee International Acquired by AutoPartSource
AutoPartSource, LLC has purchased certain assets of Qualitee International Limited Partnership of Bloomfield Hills, Mich. The two companies have entered into an agreement to sell, on a consignment basis, all of the inventory of Qualitee.
Duraline Pres-On Abrasives and Future Abrasives Co. form Global Abrasive Products, Inc.
Duraline Pres-On Abrasives Inc., LLC and Future Abrasives Co. recently merged to form Global Abrasive Products Inc. (GAP), a service-driven abrasive supply and manufacturing company. This merger makes Global Abrasive Products Inc. one of the largest abrasive convertors in the U.S.
UTI Expands Program at Florida Campus to Include Automotive Training
Universal Technical Institute (UTI), a national provider of technical education training, has announced a long-term agreement to expand program offerings at its Orlando, Fla., campus to include automotive training. The Orlando automotive program expansion will help to address the growing technician needs within that specific region, said UTI. According to state occupational projections, Florida has the third largest number of annual automotive technician openings in the U.S.
Goodyear Launches First Product-Driven Advertising Campaign in Five Years
Goodyear Tire & Rubber has launched an aggressive media campaign in support of its new Assurance brand of tires. Goodyear’s 30-second television commercial for Assurance debuted yesterday on both network and cable television. The commercial is being aired on ABC, CBS and NBC, along with ESPN, MSNBC, TBS, CNBC, The Discovery Channel and The History Channel.
U.S. Industrial Output Falls 0.2 Percent in March
American industrial production fell 0.2 percent in March, the U.S. Federal Reserve said Friday but was was 3.4 percent higher than in March 2003.In March manufacturing output was flat, while mining production dropped 0.3 percent, and utility output decreased 2.3 percent due to unseasonably warm weather, the Fed said.
icarz Names New Executive Vice President
icarz, Inc., a leading provider of software for in-store and distributor systems, has the announced appointment of Sanjay Apte to executive vice president. Apte will be responsible for software development, delivery and support.
ASA Announces New Board of Directors
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) installed its new board of directors during the association’s annual business meeting held on April 16 and 17 in San Antonio. Geralynn Kottschade, AAM, of Jerry’s Body Shop Inc. in Mankato, Minn., was named chairman of ASA’s board of directors for 2004-05. Kottschade assumed the chairman’s post at the conclusion of the annual meeting.
Herman Trend Alert: Transnational Job Movement
Many Americans are upset about the migration of jobs to countries like India and China. While the perception is that a huge proportion of jobs is permanently leaving the U.S., the reality seems to be considerably different.
Cooper Tire Reports All-Time Record Sales
Cooper Tire & Rubber has reported all-time record high sales of $974 million and a 56 percent increase in net income for the quarter, which ended on March 31. The record sales represent a 23 percent increase compared to the same period a year earlier. Net income increased by 56 percent, to $24 million, compared to $15 million in the first quarter of 2003.
Dana Opens New Automotive Systems Technology Center
Today, Dana Corp. unveiled a new Automotive Systems Group Technology Center, located near Toledo, Ohio. The nearly 200,000 square-foot facility features advanced component and system engineering, along with housing testing and purchasing experts. In addition to supporting research and development activities across North America, the new center augments Dana’s technical centers in the Asia-Pacific, South American and European markets, according to Dana CEO and President Michael Burns.