Jim Betournay Named VP of Sales, Canada for Beck/Arnley
SMYRNA, TN – Jim Betournay has joined Beck/Arnley as the vice president of sales, Canada. In his new position, Betournay is responsible for the Canadian sales efforts for the company. He reports to Vince McMahon, vice president and general manager of Beck/Arnley. “As a veteran of the automotive aftermarket, we feel extremely fortunate to have
Prestolite Electric Strengthens its Aftermarket Sales Force
Prestolite Electric has announced that Doug Zink has joined the company’s sales organization and will take over a West to Midwest territory recently vacated by Sean Miller, who was recently promoted. Zink brings to Prestolite Electric 16 years of experience calling on the heavy duty industry for companies such as Goodyear, Wix Filtration and most recently Stemco.
Conti Expresses Interest in Siemens VDO
AFX reported this week that Continental AG has expressed interest in acquiring TPMS-maker Siemens VDO. Siemens VDO is a unit of Germany’s Siemens AG. A Continental spokesman told AFX that the tire and automotive system giant is “available for talks” with Siemens but that it is up to Siemens. “We do not pressure anyone,” the
ASA Tire Systems Hires West Coast Account Manager
NASHUA, NH — ASA Tire Systems, a tire industry software provider, announced the addition of Chris Light to its account management team. Light’s experience includes time spent as national account manager for TCI Tire Centers; as a district manager for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.; and as an IT specialist. He comes to ASA Tire
BFNAT-USW Talks Set for Jan. 30
From Tire Review Master contract talks between the United Steelworkers and Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) will start later this month in St. Louis, according to USW Local 1155 President Ron Vining. Local 1155 represents workers at BFNAT’s Warren County, TN, radial truck tire plant. In a letter to Local 1155 members, Vining said union
Conti Chief Sees North American Market Rebound
Continental AG chief Manfred Wennemer expects the North American tire industry to pick up this year, even though the industry still faces unstable and rising raw material costs. In an interview with Dow Jones during the ongoing North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Wennemer also said Conti is still interested in acquiring Goodyear’s engineered products group and certain portions of Delphi Corp.’s business.
Union Decides to Return to Bargaining Table
The United Steelworkers, in a sudden shift, agreed to return to the bargaining table in an effort to resolve the now two-and-a-half-month strike against 16 Goodyear facilities in North America. One other twist: USW and Goodyear negotiators were set to restart talks today in Pittsburgh, PA, not Cincinnati, OH, where the two sides had been meeting. The two sides had not had formal talks since Nov. 16 when the Steelworkers returned to the bargaining table after walking away just before the strike began on Oct. 5.
UGN Names New Vice President of Sales and Marketing
CHICAGO — UGN, Inc., a supplier of acoustic, interior trim and thermal management products to the automotive industry, has hired Paul Papke as vice president of sales and marketing. In this position, Papke will be responsible for directing and coordinating UGN’s sales and marketing objectives, and long-term strategic initiatives focusing on industry trends and customers’
Tire Industry Rolls Out Sixth National Tire Safety Week
Tire manufacturers will again spearhead a week-long effort to educate motorists about proper tire care during the sixth National Tire Safety Week, scheduled for April 22-28, 2007. The annual event is an initiative of the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s (RMA) "Be Tire Smart – Play Your PART" program, a year-round effort designed to help drivers learn the simple steps they can take to ensure that their tires are in good working condition.
Babcox ‘Tech Group’ Magazines Present 2006 Readers’ Choice Awards
For 10 straight years, Underhood Service, ImportCar and Brake & Front End magazines have recognized the advertisers that are the foremost communicators in the industry with their annual Readers’ Choice Award. Awarded by each magazine to only 10 companies, the winners are determined by surveys conducted by Babcox Research that asks readers which ads they recall seeing and reading.