Car Care Council Reports Increased Web Site Usage, Women’s Board Membership Up
In 2003, usage of the Car Care Council’s Car Care Newspaper Supplement (CCNS) Web site grew dramatically, the council said. The growth coincides with the first year of the Car Care Council’s “Be Car Care Aware” consumer-education campaign. In addition to the news of increased usage of Car Care Council materials, the Car Care Council Women’s Board’s announced that its membership more than doubled in 2003, setting a record high number.
Brake Parts Inc. Names VP of Sales for Branded Products
Brake Parts Inc. has promoted Mike Fiorito to the position of vice president of sales – branded products. As part of its continuing focus on customer relationship management, the company is combining the leadership of its branded sales groups, according to Charlie Westmoreland, senior vice president of sales.
Tenneco Automotive Announces Executive Appointment, Establishes Commercial Vehicle Segment Business Unit
Lois Boyd has been appointed vice president and general manager of Tenneco Automotive’s commercial vehicle segment and global program management. In her new role, Boyd will be responsible for the company’s growth in the commercial vehicle business. She will direct efforts to leverage Tenneco’s global engineering and manufacturing strengths to expand the business with commercial vehicle customers and in new specialty markets.
Timken to Sponsor ‘Engineer of the Year’ Award
Timken has announced it will sponsor the Design News “Engineer of the Year” award at the National Design Engineering Show. The award, voted on by readers of Design News, will be presented at a banquet in February at McCormick Place in Chicago. Established in 1987, the Engineer of the Year award recognizes the individuals behind significant developments in the field of engineering. It is the top honor presented at the show, which is part of National Manufacturing Week from Feb. 23-26, 2004. Design News is a trade magazine covering mechanical and electromechanical design engineering.
Tesma International Completes Acquisition of Davis Industries
Tesma International has completed its acquisition of Davis Industries. Tesma announced its intention to acquire all outstanding shares of the privately-held automotive supplier in mid-December. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. According to Tesma, Davis’ main product focus, in the area of stamped powertrain components and assemblies, will complement and broaden Tesma’s current product offerings and customer base.
ACDelco to Sponsor MACS 2004 Convention
ACDelco will be a silver-level sponsor at this year’s Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide 2004 Convention and Trade Show, CRANK it UP!, Jan. 22-24 at the Caribe Royal All-Suites Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Susan Christophersen, manager of product service and training development for ACDelco, and Bob Stewart, A/C training program development, ACDelco service training, both will be presenting during the MACS 24th annual convention.
Richard Nawrocki Elected to Intermet Board of Directors
Intermet has added Richard Nawrocki to its board of directors. Nawrocki is president, CEO and board member of CMI-Management Services, a Southfield, Mich.-based holding company that manages a portfolio of diversified investments, corporations and subsidiaries, including metal-forming companies Tech Cast and CMI-Schneible.
Executive Interview with Wolfgang Winzer, Vice President and General Manager of Siemens VDO Automotive Corp. Service & Special Solutions, North America
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Wolfgang Winzer, vice president and general manager of Siemens VDO Automotive Corp. Service & Special Solutions, North America. Winzer recently talked with aftermarketNews.com about the company’s extensive history in the OE market and how this will help them build a stronger aftermarket segment. He shared some of the company’s goals for its aftermarket business in the coming years.
Auto Executives Don’t See Big Profit Rise Until 2006, KPMG Study Reveals
The global automotive industry is not expected to return to peak profitability levels until at least 2006, according to the results of an annual global survey by KPMG, an audit, tax and advisory firm. However, automotive executives indicate the worst is behind them, citing 2003 as the worst year for profits in the half-decade, KPMG said. KPMG’s fifth annual survey, conducted in October and November 2003, polled 100 American, Asian and European automotive executives from 19 automakers and from 49 Tier 1 and 32 Tier 2 suppliers.
Tier One Auto Supplier Microheat Restructures Management Team
Microheat, a Tier One automotive supplier and manufacturer of HotShot, a windshield snow and ice removal product set to debut on a wide range of 2006 vehicles, has restructured its management team. Solomon Franco, who founded the firm in 1998, stepped down as CEO and president on January 1. Peter Neustadter, one of the initial investors in Microheat, will serve as interim CEO and board chairman until the company recruits a permanent CEO. Neustadter said he expects the new CEO will be in place by April.