Tenneco Expands Indiana Operations
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation announced this week it will award training assistance to Tenneco in exchange for the manufacturer agreeing to expand its Indiana operations, creating approximately 60 new jobs. The FORTUNE 500 company plans to invest nearly $6 million to add two new catalytic converter manufacturing lines to its 81,000-square-foot Hoffman Street facility that currently manufactures a variety of automotive parts ranging from muffler and converter stampings to hydroformed exhaust products and catalytic converters. The company is also considering a new facility in Vanderburg County, asking the Vanderburgh County Council for a 10-year tax abatement on more than $3 million worth of manufacturing equipment.
The Top Ten Newsmakers of 2007
For the fourth year in a row, the editorial staffs of aftermarketNews and Counterman magazine have selected 10 individuals who have made an impact on the industry this past year. The list is presented in alphabetical order.
Nick DiVerde is the general manager of the shop management solutions group at Mitchell 1, a leading provider of shop management systems to the automotive aftermarket. In his current position, DiVerde establishes product and business direction for the shop management and estimating product lines for both the Mitchell 1and ShopKey brands.
Heavy Duty Vehicle Technician Receives First-Ever Technician of the Year Award
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, Dayton Parts, LLC (DP, LLC), Haldex and SKF recently announced Darrell Gravley as the 2005 Technician of the Year award recipient. Gravley is a technician for Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc. in Greensboro, NC.
Delphi Makes Organizational Changes in Aftermarket Unit
Delphi has announced organizational changes in its Delphi Product & Service Solutions division, the company’s aftermarket and consumer products division. Russell W. H. Bailey, managing director of Delphi Integrated Service Solutions, a business unit of Delphi Product & Service Solutions, is retiring after more than 36 years in the industry. Mark Theriot, currently director of global service technologies, will succeed Bailey in this role, in addition to maintaining his current responsibilities. Under the new organizational structure, Theriot will have full global responsibility for executing Delphi’s service strategy and vision.
Executive Interview with Steve Christie, Executive Director, Automotive Oil Change Association
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Steve Christie, executive director of the Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA). Christie has served as executive director of AOCA since 1992. With more than 20 years of progressive management experience in trade associations, professional societies and issue oriented organizations, Christie has led the AOCA to dramatic growth in membership and revenues during his tenure as head of the 1,200 plus member organization. Last week, Christie took some time to give us a ‘virtual’ tour of the AOCA, the services it provides as well as its plans for the future. Read on to learn more about the AOCA and the important projects on which the association is currently focusing.
Learn How to Inspire Sales and Management Staff at University Forum
This year at University Forum, popular motorsports anchor Rick Benjamin and Tom Easton, AAP, a senior partner with Essential Action Design Group, will use lessons from racing to show you how to inspire managers and sales people to do their best. The University of the Aftermarket’s annual University Forum can help you stay competitive, and keep pace with our ever-changing market. The event takes place on Sunday, Oct. 31 prior to the kickoff of AAPEX 2004. This afternoon session is designed for those industry professionals who feel that their skills and talents are being stretched too thin. Easton will add his training philosophy that “learning should be fun” to Benjamin’s belief that there are parallels between news teams and race teams. The two will discuss how to stretch goals “collaboratively.”
ATMC Spring Conference to Focus on “Clean Diesel”
The Automotive Training Managers Council (ATMC) will hold its 2004 Spring Conference and Business Meeting on April 18-20 at the Holiday Inn Fairlane-Dearborn in Detroit, Mich. The conference will focus on heavy-duty/diesel emissions and new technologies. Numerous automotive presentations on clean diesels, new emissions-related systems and their impact on the service technician will be on the agenda.