Activant Presents Next-Generation eCat Product To Counterman Magazine’s Top Auto Parts Professional
Randy Lipscomb, the 2004 Counterman magazine Counterperson of the Year, has been awarded a license for the new Activant Cover-to-Cover eCatalog for use in three of the Ohio-based Federated Auto Parts stores in which he works. The stores, owned by the Pat Young Service Company in Cleveland, Ohio, already use an integrated version of the Activant PartExpert eCat.
Herman Trend Alert: Women will be More Desirable in the Workplace
More women are pursuing careers than ever before in history. Throughout the world, women are gaining more education, deeper wisdom and higher effectiveness than in previous generations. They compete successfully with men and, in many cases, prove their superiority. Increasing demand for highly competent women — as leaders, as professionals who can be counted on to get things done — will drive significant changes. Gender compensation equity is the easy response. Other changes require more creativity.
Live from AAPEX: ArvinMeritor Receives AAIA Certification of Information Exchange for Gabriel, Private-Label Ride Control Product Lines
This week at AAPEX ArvinMeritor announced that it received certification of its Gabriel and private-label ride-control products to all four groups of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association’s (AAIA) Product Information Exchange Standards (PIES) Data Audit Certification (DAC) program. The certification means ArvinMeritor’s Gabriel and private-label products meet the industry’s standards for the exchange of extended product information for the aftermarket and heavy-duty segments of the automotive industry.
Web-Based Direct-Connect Application Announced By MEMA
The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) has announced a new initiative to connect warehouse distributors (WDs), program groups and retailers with suppliers, enabling them to conduct e-business and exchange data on a real-time basis. The new Web-based Direct-Connect application, developed by MEMA’s Management Information Systems Group, Inc. (MISG), is based on the aftermarket industry’s non-proprietary Internet Parts Ordering (IPO) standards and will be ready for production in 2005.
Herman Trend Alert: Demographic Train Wreck?
Commentators, consultants, politicians, and others are talking about a “demographic train wreck.” They warn that employers will run out of workers to serve customers and make money for their companies.
Collaborative Effort Results in First XML Industry Standard for Vendor Managed Inventory
DST and EDM, both solutions providers for the automotive and heavy duty parts industries, have jointly announced the successful integration of EDM’s Datalliance, the company’s Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) service, with DST’s DSTWare business and warehouse management systems platforms. Utilizing XML transaction support in Datalliance, this project creates the first VMI industry standard. As a result, VMI capabilities are now available to all DST customers, as well as to other organizations utilizing XML to exchange data via the Internet.
Siemens VDO Automotive Partners With Freescale Semiconductor in Global Electronics Components Supply Agreement
Siemens VDO Automotive and Freescale Semiconductor have renewed their global supply relationship. Siemens VDO Automotive has awarded Freescale approximately $245 million in new business, to supply electronics components, such as ASIC, microcontroller, analog and sensor components, over the lifetime of product starting in 2006.
Montgomery, Ala., Hosts Third Minority Automotive Supplier Expo
Representatives of U.S. automakers spent quality time with minority-owned companies last week in Montgomery, Ala., trading information on the business opportunities resulting from Alabama’s status as a hub of automotive manufacturing. The third annual Minority Automotive Supplier Showcase, presented by the Minority Business Participation Corp. at Alabama State University, was designed to connect automotive suppliers with representatives of Hyundai, Honda, Toyota and Mercedes.
Hella Reports Modest Sales Gains for the Year
Global automotive supplier Hella has reported a nearly two percent increase in sales for the year ending May 31. The company said the increase was spurred by above-average sales growth in Europe and the Asia/Pacific region and increasing orders for original equipment by North American automakers. Worldwide annual sales for lighting and electronics supplier Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. grew to $3.77 billion for 2003/2004, compared with the previous year’s $3.69 billion, the company reported.
Charting Your Supply Chain DNA — The DNA Building Blocks
What is the genetic structure of a successful supply chain? This week we want to dig a little deeper into the major elements that make a supply chain competitive.