Executive Interview with Max Dull, Vice President and General Manager of Beck/Arnley
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Max Dull, vice president and general manager of Beck/Arnley. Join us as Max shares insights from his extensive aftermarket experience, fills us in on what’s new at Beck/Arnley and explains the Beck/Arnley business philosophy.
ThyssenKrupp Budd Names Three Corporate Vice Presidents
The Board of Directors of ThyssenKrupp Budd Co. has elected three new corporate vice presidents. Markus Boening has been named corporate vice president and CFO. He formerly served as director, corporate finance and controlling. He joined the company in December 2003 after serving as senior project manager in the Mergers & Acquisitions Department of ThyssenKrupp AG in Duesseldorf, Germany.
Alcan Opens First of Two North American Automotive Facilities
Automotive aluminium supplier Alcan Automotive has opened a new manufacturing facility in Novi, Mich. The new plant is first phase of Alcan’s North American expansion. A sister facility is also under construction in Saguenay, Quebec. Automotive aluminium supplier Alcan Automotive has opened a new manufacturing facility in Novi, Mich. The new plant is first phase of Alcan’s North American expansion. A sister facility is also under construction in Saguenay, Quebec. The two plants represent a $30-million investment to serve the growing lightweight structural sub-system market in North America, said Dale Ewing, general manager for Automotive Structures North America — part of Alcan’s Engineered Products group.
Making Better Business Decisions
Last time we talked about how a cross-functional management framework, driving business improvement at the process level, can dramatically accelerate the pace of performance-enhancing change. This week we’ll talk about how that same cross-functional management framework can improve the quality of business decisions on a day-to-day basis.
ASA Announces Collision Division, Mechanical Division Operations Committees
Automotive Service Association (ASA) members have elected committee members for its Collision and Mechanical Divisions. Michael Anderson of Wagonwork Collision Center in Alexandria, Va., has been appointed Collision Division Director. Anderson will serves on ASA’s board of directors and will chair the 2004 ASA Collision Division Operations Committee. ASA members have also elected Earl Dohner, AAM, of E&E’s Garage in Brookville, Ohio, as Mechanical Division Director. Dohner will serve on ASA’s board of directors and will chair the 2004 ASA Mechanical Division Operations Committee.
Tower Automotive Union is Rejected
Workers at Tower Automotive in Madison, Miss., voted 162-18 against joining the United Steelworkers of America. Tower is a major supplier for Nissan’s new automotive plant in nearby Canton, Miss.
ASA Announces New Board of Directors
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) installed its new board of directors during the association’s annual business meeting held on April 16 and 17 in San Antonio. Geralynn Kottschade, AAM, of Jerry’s Body Shop Inc. in Mankato, Minn., was named chairman of ASA’s board of directors for 2004-05. Kottschade assumed the chairman’s post at the conclusion of the annual meeting.
Edelbrock Considers Going Private
Edebrock Corp., the California-based maker of performance replacement parts, is considering going private. Vic Edelbrock, Jr., chairman, president and CEO of Edelbrock Corp., has proposed to acquire all outstanding shares of Edelbrock common stock, not already owned by Edelbrock or his affiliates. Edelbrock and his affiliates currently own approximately 51.2 percent of the company’s stock.
Automotive Supplier ThyssenKrupp Budd Names New President and CEO
ThyssenKrupp Budd Co., a leading components supplier to the automotive industry, has announced the appointment of Dietrich Zaps as president and CEO. Headquartered in Troy, Mich., ThyssenKrupp Budd produces sheet metal stampings and assemblies, chassis modules and frame components, composite autobody panels and pickup boxes, gray and ductile iron castings and bumpers. The company has more than $2.5 billion in sales and is part of the ThyssenKrupp Automotive Group whose annual revenues exceed $6 billion.
Prestone Becomes Official Antifreeze/Coolant of NHRA
Prestone has been named the Official Antifreeze/Coolant of the NHRA. The sponsorship began in January 2004 and runs through 2005.