Cold Steel, Hard Times for Industrial Suppliers
On one hand, Ed Hoener is being forced to pay 30 percent more for cold-rolled steel since the start of the year. On the other are customers who won’t accept higher prices from Hoener, or fight him for months before finally paying.
High-tech is Giving Drivers Another Set of Eyes on Highways
Advances in automotive technology are giving drivers another set of eyes. There is parking assistance that backs a car into a parking space, miniature cameras that help a driver see at night and in blinding sunlight, detection devices that sound an alert when a driver crosses into a lane without activating the turn signal or starts to get too close to a pedestrian.
Prolong International Appoints Two New Board Members
Prolong International Corp., parent company of Prolong Super Lubricants, which manufactures patented consumer automotive, commercial/industrial and household products, has appointed Cary Fitchey and Robert Lautz as members of its board of directors. Fitchey and Lautz fill existing vacancies on the board.
Akebono Product Manager Named Chairman of APRA Brake Division
Robin Gedye, senior product manager – Aftermarket Caliper Products for Akebono Corp., has been named chairman of the Automotive Parts Rebuiders Association (APRA) Brake Division.
Action Executive to Join Jeff Gordon, Inc.
John Bickford Sr., executive vice president of strategic alliances for motorsports merchandise company Action Performance, has resigned to take the position of vice president and general manager of star NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon’s Jeff Gordon, Inc. Bickford will also oversee Gordon’s other business related interests.
ArvinMeritor Unveils New Educational Shock and Strut Web Site
ArvinMeritor’s Light Vehicle Aftermarket (LVA) group has unveiled a new informational Web site designed to educate consumers on shock and strut care. The site — www.checkyourshocks.com — features information and simple graphics to help the consumer easily learn and understand the aspects of shock and strut care.
Manufacturer’s Rep Conference Cancelled
The Manufacturer’s Rep Conference, scheduled to take place May 16-17, in conjunction with the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) in Chicago, has been cancelled. According to event organizers, the conference was cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.
APA Honors Henry Jacobs; Re-Elects Three Board Members During Annual Shareholders Meeting
The Automotive Parts Associates, Inc. (APA) honored Henry Jacobs for his 50 years of automotive aftermarket service at its annual shareholders meeting in San Diego, Calif. Jacobs is the founder of Automotive Warehouse in Wichita, Kan. Also during its Annual Shareholders Meeting, APA announced the re-election of J. Michael Faley, Robert Jacobs and Silvia Martinez to its board of directors.
Dana’s John Washbish to Discuss Technology and Training at GAAS
John Washbish, president of Customer Relationship Management for the Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group, will discuss “Technology and Training in Today’s Aftermarket” on Tuesday, May 18, at the ninth annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS). GAAS 2004 will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 18-19, at the Hyatt Regency, Chicago.
Charles Pestow to Join Citation as VP Sales and Marketing
Citation Corp. has hired Charles “Chuck” Pestow as vice president of sales and marketing. Citation manufactures cast, forged and machined components for the capital and durable goods industries, including automotive and industrial markets. Pestow began his career with TRW, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio. In his twenty- seven years with that organization he held a variety of positions in engineering, operations and sales and marketing.