American Products Co. to be Featured Tonight on New TLC Show Overhaulin’
American Products Company (APC), a leading automotive aftermarket manufacturer of performance and accessory products, will be featured tonight, Tuesday, May 25, on an episode of the new TLC cable channel series “Overhaulin’.” Hosted by legendary fabricator Chip Foose, the show dupes unsuspecting vehicle owners by surreptitiously removing their vehicles and tricking them out without their knowledge. The vehicle is then returned to its owner during a surprise “reveal” in a completely modified, tricked, tuned and transformed configuration.
Aftermarket Companies Make USA Today’s List of Most Overpaid/Underpaid Executive Teams
USA Today recently published an independent study identifying the most underpaid and overpaid executive teams leading public companies in 2003. Among these companies were a number of names you may recognize as major players in the automotive aftermarket.
DuPont Expands Fayetteville Manufacturing Line
DuPont has announced plans to add a $15 million glass interlayer manufacturing line at its site in Fayetteville, N.C. The new line will manufacture DuPont SentryGlas Plus interlayers, high-strength polymer sheets used by glass laminators and window companies to make advanced safety glass for automobiles and buildings.
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.
Dura Automotive Standardizes Manufacturing Operations
Dura Automotive Systems has announced it will standardize its North American manufacturing operations on QAD MFG/PRO eB2 and related applications. QAD Inc. is a provider of enterprise applications for global manufacturers. QAD Global Services will work together with Dura to provide consulting and implementation services. Dura will deploy MFG/PRO eB2 at nine production sites and upgrade 11 other locations in North America. Dura said it expects QAD applications will help streamline manufacturing and enterprise functions shared by multiple locations, enable more efficient financial management and accelerate information transfer along the supply chain.
PPG Announces Management Assignments
PPG Industries has announced two management assignments. Reg Norton, director of global manufacturing and supply chain for PPG’s automotive refinish business unit, has been appointed global director, environment, health and safety, effective April 1. He will replace David Cannon Jr., vice president, environment, health and safety, who is leaving the company on March 31. Lynne Schmidt, director of government affairs, will be promoted to vice president, government and community affairs, and executive director of the PPG Industries Foundation, effective July 1.
Goudy Named Vice President PPG Automotive Aftermarket
Garry Goudy has been appointed vice president of PPG Industries’ automotive aftermarket, comprising automotive refinish coatings, automotive replacement glass and insurance and services. While continuing to lead PPG’s refinish coatings business, in this new role Goudy will assume broader responsibility for all of PPG’s automotive aftermarket business initiatives.
Apogee Appoints New CFO
Apogee Enterprises, which develops and delivers value-added glass products and services for the automotive industry, has appointed William Marchido as its CFO. Marchido had been CFO at Siemens Dematic in Grand Rapids, Mich., since 1988. At Siemens Dematic, he was responsible for all financial areas, including IT systems management and productivity improvement programs, for the America’s Material Handling Division and locations in Europe, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia.
Treading a New Path
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is hoping to make a huge splash with a new high-end line of all-season tires. The Akron, Ohio-based company will roll out its Assurance line this spring with its biggest advertising blitz in more than a decade. Goodyear is counting on the new tires to help deliver a turnaround after four years of disappointing sales.