Executive Interview with Mort Schwartz, Chairman of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium
Next week, the tenth annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) will take place (May11&12) in Chicago. Celebrating this decade of annual events, the theme for this year’s GAAS is “Lessons from the Past, Perspectives on the Future.” In honor of the this tenth-annual event, we asked Mort Schwartz, chairman of GAAS, to reflect back and give us his own perspective on changes taking place in the industry in the past ten years as well as his favorite memories from past symposiums.
Executive Interview with Steve Marks, Chairman, National Car Care Month Committee
Steve Marks, senior vice president of marketing and advertising for Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, is currently serving as chairman of the National Car Care Month Committee, the group charged with the task of promoting and organizing National Car Care Month in conjunction with the Be Car Care Aware campaign. Here, Marks give us an update on the progress of this year’s National Car Care Month initiatives and some background on his involvement in the campaign.
SAE Foundation Launches $20 Million Centennial Campaign; GM Pledges Gift of $5 Million
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Foundation has launched a multi-million dollar centennial campaign entitled “Inspiring A New Generation.” The campaign, which coincides with the celebration of SAE International’s 100th anniversary, was established with the goal of raising $20 million to expand the reach and impact of SAE’s various educational programs. The program will be conducted in two phases — Phase 1 will run through the end of 2005.
Universal Automotive Looking for a Buyer; Arvin Scott to Step Down From CEO Post
Universal Automotive said it is looking for a buyer for some or all of its businesses. For several months, the company has been working to make some positive changes in its business. In late February, the company announced it had hired turnaround firm The Parkland Group, to help return the company to profitability, in addition to hiring a communications firm to assist in the launch of a new market awareness campaign. Now, Universal Automotive has appointed David Cesar, of The Parkland Group, as its chief restructuring officer. Cesar will be in charge of the company’s day-to-day operations and will head the sale and capital-raising efforts, under the direction of the company’s board of directors.
Collision Industry Foundation Names Board of Trustees
What began as a single philanthropic gesture has grown into a full-fledged charitable organization backed by the collision industry. The Collision Industry Foundation is closely aligned with the National Auto Body Council, in that the charitable activities it chooses to undertake are those that improve the image of the Collision Repair Industry.
An Era to End at Ford: William Clay Ford Plans to Retire from Company Board
William Clay Ford, the last surviving grandson of Henry Ford, plans to retire from the Ford Motor Co. Board of Directors after nearly 57 years, the company announced Wednesday. Ford, who turns 80 Monday, is the father of chairman and CEO Bill Ford and has been on the board for more than half of the company’s history, elected before he even graduated from Yale University.
Automotive Oil Change Association Endorses “Be Car Care Aware” Campaign
The Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA) has announced its official endorsement of the Car Care Council’s “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign. The Dallas-based Automotive Oil Change Association is a non-profit trade organization representing the convenient automotive maintenance industry. The “Be Car Care Aware” campaign offers marketing and public awareness initiatives to help build awareness and knowledge to prepare consumers to make sensible decisions about their vehicles. The Car Care Council serves as the brand and information source for the campaign.
Herman Trend Alert: Avoidance of Confrontation
A significant number of people avoid confrontation in the workplace. They are reluctant to ask for increases in compensation, more training or different job assignments. These employees would rather change employers than risk the resistance or negative consequences from bosses who may not support their requests.
Carlisle to Exit the Automotive Business
Carlisle Companies Inc. has announced it will exit the automotive business, which it currently serves through its Carlisle Engineered Products division. Carlisle is a diversified global manufacturing company serving the construction materials, commercial roofing, specialty tire and wheel, power transmission, heavy-duty brake and friction, foodservice, data transmission and process systems.
The Year in Review – A Look at the Top 10 News Stories of 2004
Whether you believe 2004 was a good or bad year for the aftermarket, no one can argue this was a big news year for our industry. The year included noteworthy shifts in leadership, mergers, acquisitions and more, most of which will significantly impact the industry for many years to come. Here’s a month-by-month look at what aftermarketNews.com considers to be biggest news events that happened in our industry in 2004.