i*SHOP Announces the Release of Version 2.0 Specification
The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) announced the release of the i*SHOP version 2.0 specification, marking a significant advance in the industry standard for the interoperability of shop equipment and systems.
DST Asks: How Do you Make Strategic Business Decisions
There are almost as many sources of reference for making strategic business decisions as there are choices for planning and securing your future. Our respondents to last week’s question were in agreement that it takes collaborative efforts to design and implement a corporate roadmap, including internal management, consultants, observing and copying competitors’ strategies, industry journals and publications and technology supplier partnerships.
icarz and MAWDI Announce Systems Partnership
Middle Atlantic Warehouse Distributor Inc. (MAWDI) and icarz today announced that they will partner to deliver advanced systems capabilities to all customers of MAWDI warehouse locations. MAWDI, headquartered in Tonawanda, NY, has more than 30 warehouses serving more than 1,500 stores in fifteen states with full lines of automotive replacement parts and accessories.
Three Metro-Detroit Tool Manufacturers Merge
Three Detroit-area tool manufacturing companies have merged under the new name Silver Hawk Precision. Silver Hawk Precision will manufacture specialty tools for automotive services and other manufacturing customers. Headquartered in Wixom, Mich., the three companies which merged late last year were Carb-R-All and PCD of America, both of Wixom, and Dia-Tool Corp. of Farmington Hills, Mich.
Executive Interview with Max Dull, Vice President and General Manager of Beck/Arnley
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Max Dull, vice president and general manager of Beck/Arnley. Join us as Max shares insights from his extensive aftermarket experience, fills us in on what’s new at Beck/Arnley and explains the Beck/Arnley business philosophy.
Rep. Knollenberg Introduces Bill To Fight Counterfeit Goods
U.S. Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-Mich. 9th District) yesterday introduced legislation to strengthen the federal law used to prosecute counterfeiters whose products threaten public health, harm American manufacturers and cost jobs in the U.S. The Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act would require the mandatory destruction of equipment used to manufacture and package counterfeit goods. In addition, the proposed legislation addresses methods that counterfeiters have used to evade prosecution, such as the selling of patch sets or medallions that can later be attached to generic merchandise and given the appearance of a genuine product, as well as placing a counterfeit mark on goods not specifically listed in the trademark registration.
Activant Reports Successful Launch of New Jobber Management System Product
Activant Solutions recently launched a new Windows-based Jobber Management System (JMS) designed for small and mid-sized auto parts distributors. According to Jonathan Gear, vice president of marketing for Activant, the new JMS system can serve as a replacement for older (CCITRIAD) systems such as Series 12 or Loadstar.
Bruce Mardar Joins Akebono North America
Akebono Corp. has named Bruce Mardar eastern regional sales manager for aftermarket sales. Mardar replaces Carl Schaefer, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this year. Before joining Akebono, Mardar spent 14 years with Qualitee International, a supplier of aftermarket brake and clutch components, where he most recently served as national sales manager.
CARQUEST’s Pete Kornafel Talks About His New Book on Inventory Management
Pete Kornafel, vice chairman of CARQUEST, recently wrote and published “Inventory Management and Purchasing — Tales and Techniques from the Automotive Aftermarket,” a practical guide to inventory management for wholesale distributors and stores that supply “hard goods.” Kornafel took some time last week to speak with aftermarketNews.com about the inspiration for his new book.
Engine Builders Meet for Third Round of 2004 Clevite Engine Builder Showdown Series
Engine builders for the likes of Kevin Harvick, Jeremy Mayfield and Jeff Gordon took part in a head-to-head competition in the third round of the 2004 Clevite Engine Builder Showdown Series, which took place April 7 at the NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI), in Mooresville, N.C. Engine builders for the likes of Kevin Harvick, Jeremy Mayfield and Jeff Gordon took part in a head-to-head competition in the third round of the 2004 Clevite Engine Builder Showdown Series, which took place April 7 at the NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI), in Mooresville, N.C.