Florida Automotive Industry Association Celebrates 50 Years
The Florida Automotive Industry Association will celebrate its 50th annual convention this year. The 2004 event will be held at the Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld on July 23 and 24. The Florida Automotive Industry Association was established in 1954 by a small group of dedicated jobbers. Over the years the Association grew to include more than 700 members statewide.
NARSA Joins AAPEX, New Heat and Transfer & Mobile A/C Section to Be Established
The National Automotive Radiator Service Association (NARSA) has forged an agreement with the sponsoring associations of Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) for the establishment of a new Heat Transfer & Mobile A/C Section at the 2004 AAPEX show. The announcement was made today at the 51st Annual NARSA Convention & Tradeshow in Nashville, Tenn.
DST Asks: Do You Sell from Inventory Locations that are Not Your Own or Are You Making Plans To?
The old maxim “You can’t sell from an empty shelf” has become outdated. Why? Because technology can ensure that shelves are never bare, at least from the customer’s standpoint, with the advent of the Virtual Inventory Network (VIN) — a term coined by DST to encompass B2B, B2C, and Peer-to-Peer e-commerce. A VIN, also sometimes referred to as a Virtual Sales Network, can provide leverage and cohesiveness of shared inventory across multiple trading partners both up and down and across the supply chain.
PPG Succeeds in Federal Court Against Refinish Components
PPG Automotive Refinish has won a major battle in the fight against illegally imported paint products. On February 18, the U.S. Federal District Court in Atlanta found John Malyon and Original Direct, both of Conyers, Ga., to be in contempt of court for violating a previous order enjoining them from selling illegally imported PPG paint and circumventing PPG’s authorized distribution network.
Cooper Unveils New TV, Print Ad Campaign
Cooper Tire & Rubber has unveiled a multi-million dollar advertising campaign aimed at reinforcing the tire brand’s performance and value. The campaign adds to Cooper’s tag line, “Don’t Give Up a Thing,” with an additional message, “Get Everything You Want.” The ads focus on emotional considerations of buying tires, rather than product features. The campaign involves three, 30-second television spots and seven print ads.
iATN Heads to Southern Cal for 2004 Convention
The International Automotive Technicians’ Network (iATN) will hold its 2004 convention Sept. 24-26, at the Coast Anaheim Hotel, in Anaheim, Calif. Traditionally a casual event, the convention will offer several technical and business management sessions, in addition to networking opportunities. The convention will also feature “TechNight Live: iATN West Coast Diagnostic Challenge.” There will also be a special luncheon address, as well as a dinner and reception for attendees.
Pilot Travel Centers to Sell Goodyear Truck Tires
Goodyear Tire & Rubber is the second tiremaker this week to announce a new supply agreement with Pilot Travel Centers LLC, one of the largest truck stop networks in North America. Pilot Travel Centers will stock and sell Goodyear truck tires at its travel centers.
American Tire Distributors Adds to Team of Equipment Specialists
American Tire Distributors has added to its team of equipment specialists with the recent hiring of Ralph Bachemin. Bachemin, who joined American Tire Distributors in January, handles automotive equipment sales and service for the company’s Mobile, Ala., distribution center, covering Southern regions of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. Bachemin joins a network of approximately 45 equipment specialists employed by American Tire Distributors across the U.S. who assist dealers in establishing and maintaining a productive automotive services shop.
TIA Unveils New Logo for the TIA World Tire Expo
The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has unveiled a new logo for the TIA World Tire Expo, the conference and exhibition for the commercial tire, retreading and recycling industries. The event is scheduled to be held April 20-22, 2005, in Louisville, Ky. “The new WTE logo works with our logo to insure that the tire industry knows that TIA is running this international show geared towards the commercial, retreading and recycling segments of the market,” said Larry Morgan, president of TIA.
AASA Creates New Aftermarket Council Forum for European Market Issues; Elects Leaders
The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) has established the European Automotive Aftermarket Manufacturers Council, a new discussion group for aftermarket executives heading their businesses’ European operations. The European Automotive Aftermarket Manufacturers Council will provide a forum for AASA members’ senior executives in Europe. The members will meet quarterly to discuss industry issues and solutions, share best practices and network with peers.