The Results Are In: Seventy Percent Say AAPEX is Worth the Cost
The results are in from the first edition of “AMN Asks” — the new weekly aftermarketNews.com poll. Last week, we asked whether you thought the annual AAPEX Show in Las Vegas offers “complete value” for the amount of time and resources you spend to attend. The annual Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo, which takes place in Las Vegas every fall, is the largest gathering of aftermarket products and people under one roof. It’s a chance to network, check out new products and attend informative seminars. It’s fast-paced and frenetic and can be a world of fun, however, on the flipside, it’s also an exhausting week of glad-handing and schmoozing in a very pricey town. Is it offering the best bang for your buck?
Stoneridge Adds Two New Directors to Its Board
Automotive components manufacturer Stoneridge has appointed John Corey and William Lasky to the company’s board of directors. Corey is president and CEO of Safety Components International, a supplier of air bags and components. He previously held positions as president of the Stanley Mechanics Tools Division, AlliedSignal’s automotive aftermarket products division and Moog Automotive. Lasky is chairman, president and CEO of JLG Industries, a diversified construction and industrial equipment manufacturer. Prior to joining JLG, Lasky spent 22 years in various positions of increasing responsibility with Dana, including president of its Filtration Products Worldwide business from 1997 to 1999.
ASA Announces Dates, Location, Theme for CARS 2004
The 2004 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) will be held Nov. 4-6. CARS 2004, sponsored by the Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) Mechanical Division, is an official event of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), held annually in Las Vegas. This year’s event will take place at a new venue — The Flamingo Las Vegas — more conveniently located near the Sands Expo Center, the home of the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX).
More Aftermarket Eye Candy at This Year’s North American International Auto Show
Although there’s no shortage of muscle on the main floor at this year’s North American International Auto Show — the 850-horsepower Chrysler ME412 concept is only the beginning — there’s also a subterranean performance theme that’s been missing from previous shows. Once the take-it-or-leave-it realm of marginal players like Daewoo and stillborns like the revival Cunningham sports car, Cobo Center’s downstairs Michigan Hall exhibit area is studded this year with an intriguing array of production vehicles enhanced by aftermarket bolt-on goodies: designer wheels, low-profile tires, oversize brakes, high-performance shock absorbers and more.
AutoZone Enhances Top Management Team, NAPA’s Steve Handschuh Named Senior VP
AutoZone (AZ) has announced new responsibilities and additions to the company’s senior management team. Steve Handschuh, current president of NAPA Auto Parts, has been named senior vice president of AZ commercial. Handschuh spent the last seventeen years at NAPA building its wholesale business. Mike Longo, currently senior vice president of store operations for AZ commercial and ALLDATA, has been named senior vice president for growth initiatives. Additionally, Brad Bacon, vice president and general manager of store operations, will become senior vice president of store operations.
Delphi Appoints Three New Sales Managers in North America
Delphi Corp. has named three new sales managers for North America. Jim Eady, Darrel Reuss and Steve Tucker will serve as regional sales managers for vehicle electronics in North America for Delphi Product & Service Solutions. Eady will cover the Southeast, Reuss the Midwest and Tucker the Northeast and all will report to Scott Donnelly, North American vehicle electronics sales manager.
ASA Names New Vice President of Communications, New Manager of Web Operations
Angie Wilson has been named the Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) new vice president of communications. She replaces Ken Roberts, who has left the position to pursue opportunities in another industry, according to ASA. ASA has also promoted Colby Horton to manager of Web operations.
Starcraft Shareholders Approve Merger With Wheel to Wheel, Tecstar
Shareholders of aftermarket and OEM supplier Starcraft Corp. have voted to approve a proposed merger agreement with Troy, Mich.-based Wheel to Wheel, Inc., an automotive engineering and design business. The transaction has received all required regulatory clearance and the merger is expected to close by the middle of January. In 1988, Starcraft and Wheel to Wheel jointly formed Tecstar, which provides and installs appearance enhancement items on vehicles provided by and returned to an original equipment manufacturer. The new agreement calls for Starcraft to acquire the remaining 50 percent ownership of Tecstar LLC and Tecstar Canada that it does not currently own by acquiring closely held Wheel to Wheel. The transaction merges Wheel to Wheel into a newly created subsidiary of Starcraft, which will exchange Starcraft common shares for shares of Wheel to Wheel.
George Dettloff Appointed President of SKF’s North American Automotive Division
Chicago Rawhide Americas President George Dettloff has been appointed president of SKF’s North American Automotive Division, which manufactures seals and bearings for the automotive industry. In his new position, Detloff will oversee all of the division’s North American original equipment and aftermarket operations, including financial, sales, marketing, engineering and manufacturing. He assumes these new responsibilities in addition to his current position as president.
SEMA Show 2004 Space Selection Begins in February
Online space selection for the SEMA Show 2004 will begin the week of Feb. 9. The trade show is scheduled to take place Nov. 2 through Nov. 5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The online selection for exhibit location will be made according to a company’s seniority as SEMA Show exhibitor, and their membership in SEMA and/or the Tire Industry Association (TIA).