Executive Interview with Joe Puishys, President of Honeywell Friction Materials
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Joe Puishys, president of Honeywell Friction Materials. A 25-year veteran of the company’s automotive businesses, Joe Puishys has served as president of Honeywell Friction Materials since early 2002. His responsibilities include overseeing the most recent corporate effort to align closely with Honeywell’s business initiatives and operating plan. He has already played a major role in the cost cutting and six sigma programs occurring throughout the organization. Join us as Puishys gives us an update on Honeywell Friction Materials, including plans to expand manufacturing operations and launch new products.
WIX Filtration Products Receives CARQUEST Vendor of the Year, Order Fill Awards
WIX Filtration Products was presented with the 2003 CARQUEST Vendor of the Year award and two Order Fill Awards in recognition of its impressive ship-and-fill rates, outstanding marketing programs and customer service. WIX is the exclusive manufacturer of CARQUEST’s Premium Blue and Red Filter lines.
Cooper Unveils New TV, Print Ad Campaign
Cooper Tire & Rubber has unveiled a multi-million dollar advertising campaign aimed at reinforcing the tire brand’s performance and value. The campaign adds to Cooper’s tag line, “Don’t Give Up a Thing,” with an additional message, “Get Everything You Want.” The ads focus on emotional considerations of buying tires, rather than product features. The campaign involves three, 30-second television spots and seven print ads.
Circuit City to Sell StreetGlow Products
StreetGlow, Inc., which produces performance lighting products for the aftermarket, has announced that its Auto-Neon brand of performance lighting products will now be distributed through the national Circuit City retail electronics chain. Circuit City will offer more than one-third of StreetGlow branded products with the remainder of the line available through special order. StreetGlow products can also now be professionally installed at Circuit City.
Visteon Produces Officially Licensed NASCAR Performance Windshields for Aftermarket
Visteon has signed an agreement to be the exclusive manufacturer of Officially Licensed NASCAR Performance Windshields. This is the second Visteon aftermarket product line to be featured as an Officially Licensed NASCAR Performance product — the first was radiators.
Midas Completes Debt Refinancing
Midas has entered into a three-year, $115 million credit facility to refinance its existing debt. The new facility consists of a $55 million revolving loan and a $60 million term loan from a group of lenders led by Bank One, NA.
APA Honors Henry Jacobs; Re-Elects Three Board Members During Annual Shareholders Meeting
The Automotive Parts Associates, Inc. (APA) honored Henry Jacobs for his 50 years of automotive aftermarket service at its annual shareholders meeting in San Diego, Calif. Jacobs is the founder of Automotive Warehouse in Wichita, Kan. Also during its Annual Shareholders Meeting, APA announced the re-election of J. Michael Faley, Robert Jacobs and Silvia Martinez to its board of directors.
Kendall Motor Oil Awards Chemicals Business to TCC
Kendall Motor oil, a ConocoPhillips brand, awarded its automotive chemicals business to Texas-based Technical Chemical Co. (TCC). According to Ray Sparling, Kendall Motor oil brand manager, the relationship between TCC and Kendall will offer Kendall more branded product choices and will consolidate the product line across the ConocoPhillips family of brands.
NHRA Tour de Force Storms Detroit
Legendary hot-rodder and storyteller John Force wants a major drag racing strip in the Detroit area, and he’s willing to invest time and money to make it happen. Force, the king of funny cars and one-liners, was in town last week for the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress at Cobo Center, in Detroit. His job: to chat with engineers and shake hands with backers, including Ford Motor Co. executives, who support his passion to go fast over a quarter-mile.
Bendix Brakes Expands Partnership with Pedregon Racing
Honeywell’s Bendix brakes has renewed its associate sponsorship with former Funny Car champion Cruz Pedregon for the 2004 NHRA POWERade drag racing series season. The brand has also expanded its involvement with the team by becoming an associate sponsor on 2003 Funny Car Champion Tony Pedregon’s Quaker State Funny Car.