Key Plastics Names Group President for Exterior & Underhood Products
Key Plastics L.L.C. has named David Roys group president for exterior and underhood products. He replaces Timothy Nelson, who was recently named president and chief COO of Key Plastics L.L.C. North America. An affiliate of the Key Automotive Group, Key Plastics produces value-added components and sub-assemblies for exterior applications, interior trim and under-the-hood products.
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.
SEMA Spring Expo Reaches New Level Of Success
Organizers for the 2004 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Spring Expo, have reported that this year’s show was the biggest regional show the association has held to date. The Expo took place March 5-6 at the Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis. A day of seminars preceded the actual exhibit. Although attendance figures have not yet been audited, show organizers said preliminary reports show an increase of approximately 65 percent in buyer attendance, and 30 percent in total attendance from the SEMA Spring Expo in Nashville last February.
Democrats Raise Alert About ‘Manufacturing Czar’ Post
A Nebraska businessman whom President Bush wanted to nominate for the job of ”manufacturing czar” has withdrawn from consideration amid attacks from Democrats. Anthony Raimondo said he would not be a candidate for the position as Democratic organizations began e-mailing reporters that Raimondo had laid off workers in Nebraska and opened a plant in China. Two administration officials confirmed that Raimondo bowed out. One administration source said the withdrawal had nothing to do with the ”baseless” Democratic attacks.
Charles Pestow to Join Citation as VP Sales and Marketing
Citation Corp. has hired Charles “Chuck” Pestow as vice president of sales and marketing. Citation manufactures cast, forged and machined components for the capital and durable goods industries, including automotive and industrial markets. Pestow began his career with TRW, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio. In his twenty- seven years with that organization he held a variety of positions in engineering, operations and sales and marketing.
Goodyear Takes Disciplinary Actions Related to European Union Accounting Review
Goodyear Tire & Rubber has taken disciplinary actions against several senior managers in its European Union operation in response to its ongoing investigation of improper accounting in European and other overseas operations. Although the investigation is not yet complete, the company said it decided to begin the process of improving the European organization and to continue strengthening its accounting controls.
Foreign Countries Try to Lure Auto Jobs
Luis Salazar’s booth is one of the largest at the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress, with four columns, flags and several comfortable leather chairs. But with space that rivals General Motors Corp.’s and Ford Motor Co.’s exhibits, Salazar isn’t pushing cool 21st-century technology, sensors or car parts — he’s pushing Mexico. If you have jobs, the Mexican deputy trade commissioner has plenty of land, workers and a proven track record with the auto industry to offer.
DST Asks: Can Your Business Measure Return on Customer Investment?
Although most businesses have the means for measuring their Return On Investment, DST has coined the term Return on Customer Investment as a more accurate method of determining profitability of the customer base. Many firms believe that their largest customers, or the ones they have been supplying for the longest time, are the most profitable ones, but access to pertinent data can contradict those assumptions.
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.
AutoZone EPS up 32 Percent
AutoZone has reported sales of $1.159 billion for its second fiscal quarter, which ended February 14, an increase of 3.4 percent from fiscal 2003. Same store sales, or sales for domestic stores open at least one year, were flat overall, the company said. Retail same store sales were down 1 percent while AZ Commercial same store sales were up 10 percent.