Five Firestone Locations Named Green Businesses
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) of Arizona has certified five Firestone Complete Auto Care locations as “green shops” through its voluntary Green Business Automotive Program, administered in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
Toyo Names Takagi as New VP, COO
Yasushi Takagi, a 27-year veteran of Toyo Tire, was recently appointed executive vice president (EVP) and chief operating officer (COO) of Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. As EVP and COO, Takagi will work with staff in all departments to continuously evaluate sales and marketing efforts in the U.S. and create plans for the future.
Manufacturer-Driven IT Solutions Slated for Discussion at MIS Council Fall Conference
Representatives of three automotive parts manufacturers will discuss how information technology (IT) innovations have helped their companies realize supply chain improvements and profitability on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the MIS Council Fall Conference in Marco Island, Fla. The Fall Conference program on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 14, will be devoted to manufacturer IT innovations.
NACE and CARS 2008 Conference Highlights
Organizers for the upcoming International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) and the Congress of Automotive Repair & Service (CARS) say they are set to deliver comprehensive education and training by industry experts. These industry events, taking place Nevada, Nov. 5-8, are co-located at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Together, NACE and CARS represent the cornerstone of the recently created Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW) and are sponsored by the Automotive Service Association (ASA).
Uni-Select’s Brent Windom to Speak at 2008 MIS Council Fall Conference
Brent Windom, vice president of marketing and product management for Uni-Select USA, will present his company’s technology strategies during a "Customer Spotlight" at the 2008 MIS Council Fall Conference Tuesday, Oct. 14, in Marco Island, Fla. Windom will discuss Uni-Select’s technology environment, current e-commerce projects and future technology initiatives, especially in light of Uni-Select’s recent acquisitions of Parts Depot and Beck/Arnley.
The Pulse: Unperformed Maintenance Will Likely Increase This Year
In this installment of “The Pulse,” we take a closer look at the yearly fluctuations in unperformed maintenance. Utilizing data from the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association’s (AASA) 2008-2009 Automotive Aftermarket Status Report, we look at unperformed maintenance viewed as a percent of total aftermarket potential.
The Pulse: Unperformed Maintenance is Again Gaining Ground
In this installment of “The Pulse,” we take a closer look at the yearly fluctuations in unperformed maintenance. Utilizing data from the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association’s (AASA) 2008-2009 Automotive Aftermarket Status Report, we look at unperformed maintenance in terms of dollars.
Standard Motor Products Announces Second Quarter 2008 Results
Standard Motor Products has reported its consolidated financial results for the three months and six months ended June 30. Consolidated net sales for the second quarter of 2008 were $215.3 million, compared to consolidated net sales of $217 million during the comparable quarter in 2007. Losses from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2008 were $772,000 or 4 cents per diluted share, compared to $5.7 million or 30 cents per diluted share in the second quarter of 2007. Excluding restructuring expenses for previously announced facility moves, a deferred gain from the sale and leaseback of its corporate facilities in Long Island City, N.Y., results from continuing operations for the second quarter 2008 were essentially breakeven compared to earnings in the second quarter 2007 of $6 million or 32 cents per diluted share.
Activant to Increase Presence at 2008 AAPEX Show
Activant Solutions has announced that it will increase its presence at the 2008 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas this fall based on a significant rise in distributor and jobber meetings and resulting sales of business management solutions during the 2007 show. The company will both increase the size of its AAPEX exhibit (booth #2035) and offer personalized demonstrations of a larger number of aftermarket solutions during this year’s show. This enhanced presence on the AAPEX floor reflects a “sizeable jump” in booth traffic and solutions sales at last year’s event, according to Tom Aliotti, vice president and general manager of the Activant automotive business.
ZF to Acquire U.S.-based Cherry Corp.
ZF Friedrichshafen AG is expanding its global Driveline and Chassis Technology portfolio with a new, pending acquisition. Upon government approval, ZF will acquire Cherry Corp., headquartered in Pleasant Prairie, Wis. Founded in 1953, Cherry develops as well as produces switches, sensors, control units and electronics modules for the automotive industry, components for industrial and household applications and computer input devices.