No Shotgun Wedding for Ford and GM
It would make about as much sense as Microsoft and Apple Computer merging. Or the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Executives at Ford Motor and General Motors whispered on Monday that a report in trade publication Automotive News was on the money — that the chief financial officers of the two ailing auto giants did meet recently to discuss an alliance of some kind. It did happen. Those same executives, though, quickly added that the two sobered up, retreated to their offices, and agreed that nothing would come of it.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Looks at the Future of Online Parts Ordering
Once considered nothing more than the latest trend for young and tech-savvy consumers, online shopping today is big business. While it has taken time for e-commerce to expand from its beginnings as a vehicle for primarily business-to-consumer purchasing, today, it has become a critical tool for successful business-to-business transactions. And, it seems that now, everyone wants in on the game. It’s not just a passing trend, but a must for those who want to keep their businesses current and on an upward growth track – especially in the automotive aftermarket. Simply type “buy auto parts” into Google and it will yield more than 50 million results.
Pricedex and Illumaware Announce New Strategic Alliance at eForum
Yesterday at the Aftermarket eForum in Chicago, two product information management (PIM) software and data management services providers – Pricedex Software, Inc. and Illumaware Corp. — announced a new alliance. Pricedex Software and Illumaware Corp. will work together to offer comprehensive, scalable end-to-end PIM and data management solutions to aftermarket manufacturers, distributors and retailers that can be tailored to their specific financial and performance requirements.
The Collapse of American Remanufacturers Inc: An In-depth Look at ARI’s Fall into Bankruptcy
At one time, American Remanufacturers, Inc. (ARI) was huge, with a near legendary aftermarket executive at the helm. But in the span of 25 months, the honeymoon between ARI and its new CEO Larry Pavey was more than over — it had ended in a bitter divorce that jeopardized the reputation of a respected leader, sending the company first into Chapter 11 bankruptcy, then a disastrous Chapter 7 filing that shuttered ARI’s nine businesses across North America. It left 1,600 workers without jobs, other manufacturers without product, distributors without a supplier and a question mark over the future of the remanufacturing industry in the U.S.
Thousands Take Buyouts at GM, Delphi
About 47,600 hourly workers have decided to leave General Motors Corp. and Delphi Corp. through buyout or early retirement offers, accelerating the distressed companies’ plans to cut costs by paring their workforces. At GM, where about 35,000 people will depart — mostly through early retirements — Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rick Wagoner said he was surprised by the numbers. But he said the number of takers will allow the Detroit company to reach its target reduction of 30,000 manufacturing jobs by Jan. 1, two years ahead of schedule.
Executive Interview with Scott Luckett, Chairman of the Aftermarket eForum Planning Committee
This week, we hear from Scott Luckett, vice president of technology standards and solutions for AAIA. Luckett is also chairman of the Aftermarket eForum Planning Committee. The 2006 Aftermarket eForum takes place in Chicago next month – July 17-19 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. Join us as Luckett gives us an update on the aftermarket technology landscape.
Activant Honors Three Aftermarket Manufacturers for Parts Data Excellence
Activant Solutions Inc., a leading provider of vertical business management solutions, recently presented its annual President’s Award for Electronic Data Excellence to three automotive replacement parts manufacturers in recognition of the quality and timeliness of their product data. Activant representatives presented the award to Delphi Corp., the Four Seasons division of Standard Motor Products and Tomkins plc during the 2006 National Catalog Managers Association (NCMA) “Knowledge Exchange” conference in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
EDITORIAL — Tire Fuel Efficiency Study: Elementary Findings Lead to Call for Consumer Education
Results of the long-awaited federal government study of tire fuel efficiency were released this morning by the National Research Council. Compiled at the request of Congress and funded by NHTSA, the study was expected to provide additional fodder for state and national legislators, eager to gain votes from consumers angered by high gasoline and diesel prices, to promote laws requiring replacement tires to be as fuel efficient as OE tires.
PIES 5.0 Released for Industry Use; Latest Version Supports Imaging Best Practice and CARQUEST Enhancements
The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) has announced publication of the latest version of the Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES). PIES version 5.0 includes support for the exchange of product images in compliance with the Imaging Best Practice Guideline, also published by AAIA. The latest version of PIES also includes additions that bring the industry standard and a similar CARQUEST specification into closer alignment.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Asks Manufacturers How They’re Handling Rising Raw Materials Costs
By the end of 2005, oil prices had risen 45 percent higher than they were at the beginning of the year. Gas prices took a similar route, rising about 23 percent in 2005 leveling out to a national average of about $2.30 a gallon. As an industry that relies on oil and natural gas for a variety of critical processes — from fuel for parts deliveries to oil derivative products used in manufacturing – the rising costs of raw materials are certainly having an impact on U.S. auto parts manufacturers. For this week’s Ask the Industry, we asked manufacturers: How does your company handle the rising costs of doing business today, given increasing raw materials costs?