Continental Tire North America and Exel Form Strategic Tire Distribution Partnership
Continental Tire North America (CTNA) and Exel, a global logistics company, have formed a strategic partnership in the area of tire distribution logistics in North America. As part of the agreement, Exel will assume control of the management of CTNA’s tire distribution warehouses. All details of the agreement will be finalized by April 1, 2004.
ArvinMeritor Taps Don Polk to Lead Its LVS Wheels Business
ArvinMeritor has promoted Donald Polk to the position of vice president and general manager of its Light Vehicle Systems (LVS) business group’s Wheels product line, effective immediately. Before being named to this new position, Polk was vice president and general manager of the LVS Ride Control product line. Polk began his career with the company as a Wheels sales engineer in 1989.
Noble International to Purchase Laser Welding International
Noble International has signed a purchase agreement to acquire Laser Welding International Inc. (LWI). LWI, based in Clinton Township, Mich., is a supplier of laser-welded blanks (LWB) to General Motors. According to Noble’s COO Tim Emmitt, the acquisition of LWI will help expand Noble’s presence with General Motors. The company plans to integrate LWI into Noble Metal Processing over the next several months, Emmitt said.
Tenneco Offers New Limited Lifetime Warranties
Tenneco Automotive is promoting an expanded product guarantee program for 2004. Tenneco is now featuring limited lifetime warranties and a 90-day risk-free trial offer on premium Walker exhaust, Monroe shock and strut, DynoMax performance exhaust and Rancho off-road technologies. The new strategy will also enable aftermarket businesses to enhance bottom-line results while significantly increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty, according to Tenneco Automotive Vice President of Marketing Richard Alameddine.
ASA Announces Dates, Location, Theme for CARS 2004
The 2004 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) will be held Nov. 4-6. CARS 2004, sponsored by the Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) Mechanical Division, is an official event of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), held annually in Las Vegas. This year’s event will take place at a new venue — The Flamingo Las Vegas — more conveniently located near the Sands Expo Center, the home of the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX).
Bekaert Specialty Films Introduces Enhanced Automotive Film Cutting System
Bekaert Specialty Films (BSF) has introduced ComputerCut Version 3.0, a new enhanced version of its automotive window tint, paint protection film and vinyl graphics pattern cutting system. ComputerCut 3.0 maintains all the capabilities of earlier versions, but also offers a variety of new features, including the ability to manage a private image and pattern database, and to import custom graphics from programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Flexi Sign. In addition, ComputerCut 3.0 has a newly designed user-friendly interface, making the system easier to navigate and operate, according to the company.
MRC Names Iannottes Chairman Elect
The select committee of the Manufacturers’ Representatives Council (MRC) selected John Iannotte of Bob Barker Marketing & Sales as its Chairman-Elect. Iannotte has worked as a manufacturers’ rep since 1974 and is currently working on completing the second year of the Certified Professional Manufacturers’ Representative (CPMR) program, an educational subsidiary of the Manufacturers’ Representative Educational Research Foundation (MRERF). Iannotte officially begins his Chairman-Elect role in July.
AutoZone Enhances Top Management Team, NAPA’s Steve Handschuh Named Senior VP
AutoZone (AZ) has announced new responsibilities and additions to the company’s senior management team. Steve Handschuh, current president of NAPA Auto Parts, has been named senior vice president of AZ commercial. Handschuh spent the last seventeen years at NAPA building its wholesale business. Mike Longo, currently senior vice president of store operations for AZ commercial and ALLDATA, has been named senior vice president for growth initiatives. Additionally, Brad Bacon, vice president and general manager of store operations, will become senior vice president of store operations.
Keystone Automotive Acquires Toronto-Based Quinte Bumper & Fender
Keystone Automotive Industries has acquired Quinte Bumper & Fender, a privately held company based in Ontario, Canada, that distributes automobile collision replacement parts. Quinte recorded sales of approximately $6.5 million during its most recent fiscal year. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition is a continuation of Keystone’s strategy to expand throughout Canada, according to Charles Hogarty, president and CEO of Keystone.
Delphi Appoints Three New Sales Managers in North America
Delphi Corp. has named three new sales managers for North America. Jim Eady, Darrel Reuss and Steve Tucker will serve as regional sales managers for vehicle electronics in North America for Delphi Product & Service Solutions. Eady will cover the Southeast, Reuss the Midwest and Tucker the Northeast and all will report to Scott Donnelly, North American vehicle electronics sales manager.