Beck/Arnley Enhances its Product Packaging
Beck/Arnley has enhanced the product packaging for its line of remanufactured starters and alternators, according to Scott Howat, director of brand marketing. The Beck/Arnley packaging for remanufactured starters and alternators has a new look which highlights product features and benefits in English, Spanish and French. The package inside has also been significantly enhanced to include a unique cradle configuration and extra banding. This adds stability in shipping to reduce damage that could occur and result in product failure.
Anti-Counterfeiting Initiative Launched
Four U.S. agencies yesterday announced a coordinated attack to stem the global trade in counterfeit merchandise and pirated music and movies, an underground industry that law-enforcement officials estimate to be worth $500 billion each year. The effort, known as the Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP), includes stepping-up border enforcement to intercept fake goods as they are entering the United States, targeting the earnings of traders of counterfeit goods and publicizing the names of overseas companies that traffic in counterfeit products.
Executive Interview with Shozo Kibata, Senior Corporate Officer of Toyo Tire
This week, Jim Smith, editor of Tire Review (a sister publication to aftermarketNews.com) talks with Shozo “Carlos” Kibata of Toyo Tire Corp. Shozo “Carlos” Kibata is a very busy man right now, far busier than he was a scant four months ago when he was president of Toyo Tire (USA) Corp. in Cypress, Calif. Since June 1, Kibata was tapped to head Toyo Tire North America, a subsidiary of parent Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. that was created to build and manage the tiremaker’s first North American tire plant. And, as a reward for his hard work in the U.S., Kibata was named senior corporate officer of the parent company.
Transpro Reports Second Quarter Results
Transpro has reported results for the second quarter and six months, which ended June 30. On July 27 the company announced that it was reviewing the accounting associated with the revenue recognition impact of shipping terms to certain customers near quarters’ end.
Airtex Plant Facing Strike
Talks between Airtex Products and the United Auto Workers Local 543 failed to produce an agreement Thursday night, resulting in a strike at the company’s three auto parts plants in Fairfield, Ill. The five-year contract expired at midnight Thursday without an agreement, affecting 539 hourly union members.
Executive Interview with Paul Foley, Vice President, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA)
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Paul Foley, vice president of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), a market segment of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). Join us as Foley brings us up to speed on the rapid growth of AASA since its creation two years ago, as well as several industry initiatives AASA is currently focusing on.
Kumho Tire to Increase Prices in October
Kumho Tire USA announced that it will increase tire prices effective October 1. Kumho’s passenger, light truck and commercial truck tire prices will increase between three and five percent, depending on the tire model, the company said. Kumho last raised prices in May.
Standard Motor Products Announces Second Quarter 2004 Earnings and a Quarterly Dividend
Standard Motor Products has reported its consolidated financial results for the three months and six months, which ended on June 30. Consolidated net sales for the second quarter of 2004 were $235 million, compared to consolidated net sales of $166.1 million during the comparable quarter in 2003. Earnings from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2004 were $7.5 million or 38 cents per diluted share, compared to $4.3 million or 34 cents per diluted share in the second quarter of 2003.
Portals Help Manufacturers Predict Delays in Material Shipments
It’s 10 o’clock on Sunday night — do you know where your raw materials, parts, components and sub-assemblies are? That shipment of motors from Taiwan? The load of automotive frame parts bound for the Port of Oakland that you’ll need a week from Thursday on a just-in-time basis? How about those disk drives and capacitors your materials chief ordered from a new supplier in China for your finished-goods assembly plant? Chances are, if yours are among the billions of dollars worth of goods crossing the Pacific Ocean — or any ocean, for that matter — you’re not sure where your cargo is.
DST Asks: How Do you Make Strategic Business Decisions
There are almost as many sources of reference for making strategic business decisions as there are choices for planning and securing your future. Our respondents to last week’s question were in agreement that it takes collaborative efforts to design and implement a corporate roadmap, including internal management, consultants, observing and copying competitors’ strategies, industry journals and publications and technology supplier partnerships.