Northwood Receives $3 Million Gift from Board Trustee
Northwood University has received a $3 million gift from Midland, Mich., resident Patricia Naegele. She and her husband, Robert, who passed away in August 2000, have been actively involved with Northwood for a number of years. The Naegeles both served on the University’s board of trustees. Mrs. Naegele is a current member.
Executive Interview: John Lampe, chairman, president and CEO of Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding
Two years ago on August 9, Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. — and the whole tire industry — changed for all time. John Lampe has been in the middle of the entire saga from day one. More importantly, as chairman, president and CEO of what is now Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding (BFAH) and the head of Bridgestone/Firestone North America Tire, the Kansas native has led the once-beleaguered company back from the brink.
Northwood Senior Named First Recipient of the Harvey Diedrich Advantage Scholarship
Brian Lesiewicz, a senior studying automotive aftermarket management at Northwood University, has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Harvey Diedrich “Advantage” Scholarship. The Harvey Diedrich “Advantage” Scholarship fund was established in 2003 by friends of the longtime aftermarket executive who created innovative marketing programs for Tenneco Automotive’s Monroe Shocks and Struts and Walker Exhaust product lines. Diedrich died in June 2003.
APRA Honors Two with Honorary Member Awards
Late last month during the International Big R Show in Las Vegas, the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association recognized two individuals with Honorary Member Awards. APRA Past Chairman Steve Fallen, a second generation electrical rebuilder, was one of two men recently honored with the award.
Congress Gives Automakers One More Chance to Share Data
Yesterday, scores of representatives from the automotive aftermarket along with representatives from the original equipment manufacturers turned up on Capitol Hill to attend a Congressional hearing on HR 2735 — the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act. If passed, HR 2735 would mandate that car manufacturers make available all service and repair information to independent service technicians. The hearing, which took place before the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection of the House and Energy Commerce Committee, is a major step forward for those who have been lobbying in support of the legislation.
Jasper Engines & Transmissions Launches Redesigned Web Site
Jasper Engines & Transmissions recently launched its redesigned Web site – www.jasperengines.com. The newly redesigned site features an entirely new look with reorganized content and navigation. According to Mike Pfau, Jasper’s Advertising Manager, the Internet is a powerful component of a company’s communication efforts.
Denver-Based Quick-lube Chain to Enter Utah Market This Fall
Grease Monkey, a Denver, Colo.-based automotive quick-lube and preventive maintenance chain, is entering Utah this fall with locations in South Jordan and Pleasant Grove and later St. George and Clinton. Why Grease Monkey — headquartered in a bordering state and operating 220 centers across the U.S. and Mexico — took 25 years to expand to its western neighbor could be based in the early days of the auto lube industry, when Q-Lube launched in Utah and Grease Monkey in Colorado.
DST Asks:Does Your Multi-Store Business Management System Capture and Consolidate Operating Information?
It’s the American way. Start your own business. Perfect your methods. Hire good people. Grow your customer base. Perfect the idea at one location, then expand by adding new locations that share the same business model. Thousands of successful retail enterprises have started in exactly this way. It’s a fundamental way to apply the principle we all learned in Economics 101 – economies of scale. Business 101 would call it leverage. Good entrepreneurs call it survival!
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.
KYB America 2004 Product Catalog Now Available
KYB America has announced that its 2004 “World Class Shocks and Struts” product catalog is now available. The catalog features the entire KYB shock and strut product line, as well as a much expanded range of strut mounts and boots, with a new image to reflect the company’s position as a leading manufacturer of quality shocks and struts.