790 Federal-Mogul Jobs Saved
Federal-Mogul Corp., in a move that counters the trend of U.S. companies sending manufacturing jobs overseas, has decided to keep nearly 800 Michigan jobs from heading to Mexico. Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) announced the approval of a Single Business Tax incentive Tuesday worth more than $65 million to keep Federal-Mogul from moving 790 jobs abroad. Meanwhile, the Southfield, Mich.-based auto parts maker said it would invest $6 million of its own money in the operations.
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.
The Year in Review – A Look at the Top 10 News Stories of 2004
Whether you believe 2004 was a good or bad year for the aftermarket, no one can argue this was a big news year for our industry. The year included noteworthy shifts in leadership, mergers, acquisitions and more, most of which will significantly impact the industry for many years to come. Here’s a month-by-month look at what aftermarketNews.com considers to be biggest news events that happened in our industry in 2004.
APRA Honors Two with Honorary Member Awards
Late last month during the International Big R Show in Las Vegas, the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association recognized two individuals with Honorary Member Awards. APRA Past Chairman Steve Fallen, a second generation electrical rebuilder, was one of two men recently honored with the award.
Executive Interview with Ron Pyle, President and Chief Staff Executive of the Automotive Service Association (ASA)
Every other week, aftermarketNews.com offers an interview with high-profile individuals in the automotive aftermarket. We give executives free rein to express their views on anything from the state of their corporations to recent legislative news to future trends in their niche markets. Here you see what matters to the newsmakers themselves.
Turtle Wax Plans Youth Marketing Initiatives Including Sweepstakes and Tour
Turtle Wax, the number one selling brand of car care products in the world, will be combining state-of-the-art technology with authentic grass roots marketing for its upcoming 2005 Turtle Wax “Get Waxed Tour”, and Turtle Wax “Get Waxed Tour” Sweepstakes. As one of its primary marketing initiatives in 2005, Turtle Wax plans to enter the youth auto culture market by way of a tour, sweepstakes and the creation of two highly modified “Get Waxed” show cars. The nation-wide tour will bring the Turtle Wax brand to select leading car culture and youth-oriented lifestyle events. The company plans to reveal details of the tour and sweepstakes next month at the SEMA show at Las Vegas.
Pat Young Service Co. Parts Professional Named 2004 Counterman Magazine Counterperson of the Year
For residents of the Northeastern Ohio area, Randy Lipscomb is known simply as “Handy Randy,” the affable and knowledgeable host of local auto care television show, Handy Randy’s Car Care. But recently, he added another name: Counterperson of the Year. After a six month national search, the Barberton, Ohio, parts professional was yesterday named the 2004 Counterman Magazine “Counterperson of the Year.” The award was created in 1986 to recognize those who excel in the demanding parts distribution profession.
Executive Interview with Shozo Kibata, Senior Corporate Officer of Toyo Tire
This week, Jim Smith, editor of Tire Review (a sister publication to aftermarketNews.com) talks with Shozo “Carlos” Kibata of Toyo Tire Corp. Shozo “Carlos” Kibata is a very busy man right now, far busier than he was a scant four months ago when he was president of Toyo Tire (USA) Corp. in Cypress, Calif. Since June 1, Kibata was tapped to head Toyo Tire North America, a subsidiary of parent Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. that was created to build and manage the tiremaker’s first North American tire plant. And, as a reward for his hard work in the U.S., Kibata was named senior corporate officer of the parent company.
GM’s Hogan Defects to Magna
Mark Hogan, the head of advanced vehicle development at General Motors Corp., is leaving at the end of the month to become president of Canadian auto parts giant Magna International Inc., according to people familiar with the matter.
Executive Interview with Paul Foley, Vice President, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA)
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Paul Foley, vice president of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), a market segment of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). Join us as Foley brings us up to speed on the rapid growth of AASA since its creation two years ago, as well as several industry initiatives AASA is currently focusing on.