U.S. Auto Parts Network Names Shane Evangelist Chief Executive Officer
U.S. Auto Parts Network, an online provider of aftermarket auto parts and accessories, has appointed Shane Evangelist as chief executive officer. Evangelist succeeds Mehran Nia, who served as president and chief executive officer since founding U.S. Auto Parts in 1995. Nia will continue to serve on the board of directors. Prior to joining U.S. Auto Parts, Evangelist served as senior vice president and general manager of Blockbuster Online, where he was responsible for leading the creation, development and launch of Blockbuster’s online movie rental service. Under Evangelist’s leadership, Blockbuster grew monthly unique visitors faster than any other e-commerce company in 2004, was listed as the fastest growing Top 500 e-commerce business in 2005 according to Internet Retailer and followed that up as the fastest growing Top 100 e-commerce business in 2006.
From Counterman.com: The Globalization of the Groups
It was bound to happen: Globalization has come to programmed distribution. Of course, it was just a matter of time, as the industry quickly moves in directions that increasingly point outside U.S. borders, sometimes across entire oceans.
Suppliers Must Move Soon in China: Door is Closing, Experts Say at SAE Meeting
U.S. autoparts makers struggling to survive in an industry clogged with bankrupt companies can find a foothold in the future in China — but only if they act now. That’s the message several experts and supplier executives brought to suppliers Monday on the opening day of the Society of Automotive Engineers 2006 World Congress at Cobo Hall in Detroit. Suppliers and automakers have been making multibillion-dollar moves into China, lured by the possibility of cutting their costs as much as 50 percent.
Executive Interview with Frank Pagano, CEO of Coni-Seal
Our latest Executive Interview features Frank Pagano, CEO of Lakewood, NJ-based Coni-Seal, Inc. Recently, as part of an investment group, Pagano acquired the assets two aftermarket businesses including Qualitee International. Pagano recently took some time to give aftermarketNews.com a breakdown of these new businesses and where they are headed.
Denso’s Thai Unit Aims to Raise Quality, Lower Costs
Autoparts maker Denso Corp.’s Thai unit will work to improve quality while lowering the cost of its products, President Shinji Takeuchi of Denso (Thailand) Co. told The Nihon Keizai Shimbun daily newspaper. The launch of Toyota Motor Corp.’s Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle project, in which it produces common automobile models overseas and exports them around the world, is expected to have an impact on the way autoparts makers operate in Southeast Asia.
Ford, Magna Face Multi-Million-Dollar Class-Action Suit Over Door Latches
Up to 400,000 Canadians might be driving Ford vehicles with faulty door latches that could lead to serious injury or death, according to a class-action lawsuit commenced Tuesday against Ford Motor Co., Magna International and several of its subsidiaries.
Private Equity Firms Drive Away With More Auto Parts Deals
The auto parts industry continues to be one of the favorite places for private equity firms to put their money as they invested more than $1.5 billion in the industry in July.