Northwood Heavy Duty Program to Sponsor Distributor ‘Location of the Year’ Recognition
Northwood University announced this week its Heavy Duty Program will co-sponsor a new effort to recognize the best managed heavy-duty distributor locations. The other co-sponsors are Kona Communications, the Heavy Duty Representatives’ Association (HDRA) and the Council of Fleet Specialists.
Executive Interview: John Lampe, chairman, president and CEO of Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding
Two years ago on August 9, Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. — and the whole tire industry — changed for all time. John Lampe has been in the middle of the entire saga from day one. More importantly, as chairman, president and CEO of what is now Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding (BFAH) and the head of Bridgestone/Firestone North America Tire, the Kansas native has led the once-beleaguered company back from the brink.
Many Recalled Cars Remain Unrepaired
Timothy Michaud died in May after falling from the tailgate of a Chevrolet pickup and suffering severe head injuries. The 19-year-old from Maine never knew General Motors Corp. had recalled the pickup two months earlier because the tailgate cables could corrode and snap. At the time of the accident, Michaud’s employer, which owned the used 2000 pickup, hadn’t received a recall notice, said Stephen Schwarz, an attorney for the Michaud family. The pickup was one of the millions of recalled vehicles that go unrepaired each year. Sometimes vehicle owners are at fault for not getting repairs. But some safety experts say automakers and federal regulators share the blame because they haven’t developed a better system to track whether a vehicle has in fact been repaired.
BodyShop Business Presents Scholarship and Award at NACE
The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) and Babcox Publications have honored Loren Estwick – owner of Loren’s Collision Plus, LLC, in Foley, Minn. – as the recipient of the 2004 BodyShop Business magazine Scholarship. The award was presented at the General Session held during NACE by BodyShop BusinessPublisher Denise Lloyd.
KYB Expands Sales Force Throughout North America
In response to what it describes as a dramatic increase in sales, KYB has announced that it is expanding its sales force throughout North America. By the end of this year, 10 new salespeople will be in place with an additional seven salespeople to be added in early 2005, according to Mike Howarth, KYB senior vice president.
Investor Slams GenCorp
Hedge fund Steel Partners II LP on Thursday, Nov. 11, launched a $708 million hostile bid for GenCorp Inc., attacking the aerospace conglomerate for its subpar financial performance and questioning the company’s deal making record. “Management and the board appear to have engaged in what can be best described as a game of gin rummy by buying and selling businesses with no clear corporate strategy and with very poor results, including the recent sale of the GDX Automotive business at a loss of over $300 million,” said Warren Lichtenstein, managing partner at Steel, in a letter to GenCorp’s board.
CARQUEST Named Title Sponsor of 45th Annual Winternationals at Pomona Raceway
CARQUEST Auto Parts has signed a multi-year agreement to become the title sponsor of the 45th annual Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. The agreement begins in 2005. It is the first of three NHRA event sponsorships for CARQUEST Auto Parts, which will also headline the CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., June 9-12, as well as the CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals at Pacific Raceways in Seattle, July 22-24.
Web-Based Direct-Connect Application Announced By MEMA
The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) has announced a new initiative to connect warehouse distributors (WDs), program groups and retailers with suppliers, enabling them to conduct e-business and exchange data on a real-time basis. The new Web-based Direct-Connect application, developed by MEMA’s Management Information Systems Group, Inc. (MISG), is based on the aftermarket industry’s non-proprietary Internet Parts Ordering (IPO) standards and will be ready for production in 2005.
Bendix Brakes Creates Technician Training DVD Series
Honeywell Friction Materials, the makers of Bendix Brakes, recently worked with ICON Creative Technologies Group to create a new DVD entitled “The Friction Factor.”
Case Study: The DNA Building-Block Approach in Action
NMS Communications, a mid-sized network equipment manufacturer, employed the Thomas Group DNA building-block approach to reengineer the supply chain for its platform business, which accounts for 80 percent of the company’s revenue. NMS realized that to maintain a competitive edge, it needed to create a high-speed, demand-driven supply chain. But developing such a capability in an environment where forecasts traditionally ruled was a challenge.