Sarah Fisher and Larry Hoofnagle to be Featured on C.A.R. Show
IRL IndyCar Series driver and Raybestos Safety Campaign spokesperson Sarah Fisher, and Larry Hoofnagle, director of marketing for Brake Parts Inc., will be featured on the C.A.R. Show radio program on Saturday, January 31. The broadcast will air between 9 – 11 a.m. EST. During the broadcast, Hoofnagle and Fisher will discuss the importance of vehicle maintenance and the need to educate consumers about taking proper care of their vehicle’s braking system through annual brake inspections, maintenance and repair.
Holley and DuPont to Sponsor Second Annual NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, June 18-20
Holley and DuPont Automotive Finishes, the major sponsors of last year’s inaugural NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, have signed on again for the second annual event. The second annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, presented by DuPont Automotive Finishes, is set for June 18-20, at Beech Bend Park, in Bowling Green, Ky. Like last year, Holley is the title sponsor while DuPont Automotive Finishes is the presenting sponsor.
“DST Asks”: Adding Service/Installation as an Additional Profit Center in a Parts Enterprise
How many readers know that Starbucks, the ubiquitous coffee retailer, actually began operating as a coffee roaster in Seattle, selling bags of whole bean coffee in Pike Street Market? It took a visionary leader, Howard Schultz, coupled with an ambitious operating plan and enterprise management technology to morph the business into the worldwide coffeehouse chain and merchandising success story we see today. And this all happened in an incredibly short period of time…with growth from 17 outlets in 1987 to 7,225 outlets today. All of this was based on the simple premise, “We already have customers who buy our coffee beans — what if we brewed the coffee for them, too?” We see a similar opportunity in parts distribution.
Who’s Buying Whom?
Who owns the suppliers of today? New owners include leveraged buyout firms, putting a new spin on the old consolidation trend. In the wake of Dana’s announcement to sell off its aftermarket businesses comes the speculation of who will buy it. Water cooler conversations in the office haven’t exactly been at a fevered pitch. That’s a dramatic change from just a few short years ago when SPX was trying to make a hostile purchase of Echlin (which ultimately ended up in the hands of Dana), or when Federal-Mogul was buying up companies as part of former CEO Dick Snell’s major consolidation plan. Those were the good old days of major aftermarket acquisitions. Now, we’re left to ponder the fate of the Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group. The big question is: Who among the current base of manufacturers is a candidate to make such a large acquisition?
Johnson Controls’ Earnings Up 17 Percent
Johnson Controls Inc. said quarterly earnings rose 17 percent, with both its automotive parts and building controls businesses reporting double-digit sales gains. Johnson Controls also eliminated a few dozen jobs at its Milwaukee controls division, even as it plans to expand the business by about 100 jobs, the company said Wednesday.
Lund International Announces Executive Appointment
Automotive accessories manufacturer Lund International has named Edmund Schwartz COO and CFO for the company, effective immediately. Schwartz previously served as CFO for Lund International from September 1999 to November 2001. He has also served as CFO of a large international public company and a leading consumer goods manufacturer.
Suppliers to Benchmark the Cost of Auto Industry Absenteeism
A dozen U.S. auto suppliers hope next month to finish a two-year effort to determine the cost of lost productivity due to absenteeism and “presenteeism” -people who are on the job but not functioning at appropriate productive levels. The group, dubbed the Automotive Supplier Action Committee, says it focused upon the industry’s hourly workforce, where absenteeism is roughly 10 percent, or about three times that of other industries.
UAP Announces Senior Executive Appointments
Larry Samuelson, CEO of UAP Inc., has announced four senior executive appointments. Robert Hattem has accepted the position of president and COO of UAP Inc. Terrence LeBlanc has been named executive vice president of the auto parts division. Pierre Vocelle has accepted the position of regional vice president of auto parts for Quebec and Scott LeProhon has been appointed senior vice president of special marketing projects.
Kayaba to Expand Global Manufacturing Operations
Next month, Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd. (KYB) will acquire a 75 percent shareholding in AP Amortiguadores SA (APA) currently held by ArvinMeritor. In the U.S., Kayaba is set to expand its manufacturing base at Franklin, Ind, to support growing sales of KYB shocks and struts to the North American aftermarket.
Michelin North America and ACCC Sign Three-Year Contract Extension
Michelin North America has extended its partnership with American Car Care Centers (ACCC), signing a three-year contract extension to supply the independent dealer network with Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal and private and associate brand tires. This new agreement extends a strategic partnership between the two companies which began in 1993. ACCC is one of the largest networks of independent tire and automotive service dealers, with more than 1100 locations nationwide.