IBM: China’s Auto Suppliers Could Face Bumpy Road
China is the world’s fastest growing automotive market, but a new study suggests the auto suppliers fueling that expansion may be growing too fast. In fact, says the report, there could be over capacity and a resulting shakeout in the supplier market within five years.
Ninth Annual GAAS Kicked Off in Chicago
While the theme of this year’s Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) — Leaner, Faster, Better — may connote the automated efficiency of a well-run machine, the true focus of the day’s numerous presentations was on the talented pool of people who make up that machine and how to make better use of them. “The core of any great business is the people,” said GAAS founder and chairman Mort Schwartz, who welcomed approximately 400 aftermarket executives to the event.
O’Reilly Automotive Selects Evant Enterprise Information Management
Evant, a provider of multi-channel planning and advanced replenishment solutions, announced today that O’Reilly Automotive Inc. is in the process of deploying Evant Enterprise Information Management (EIM) to serve as the platform for its enterprise data registry and data synchronization initiatives with key suppliers.
Clevite Launches New Engine Builder Club
Clevite Engine Parts recently launched the Clevite Engine Builder Club, a new, one-of-a-kind club aiming to further the professional careers of engine builders across the country and around the world.
UTI to Open New PA Campus
The Pennsylvania Department of Education has granted a license to Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (UTI) to operate a new campus in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Pep Boys Chooses Continental Tire for Name-Brand Push
Pep Boys has selected Continental Tire to supply tires for the introduction of its name-brand tires. Pep Boys will begin selling Continental and General tires starting Sunday, May 16 at its network of nearly 600 stores. The addition of name-brand tires puts Pep Boys in a position to compete for a share of the $24 billion replacement tire business in the U.S.
Transpro Names Paul Verdile Senior Product Manager
Transpro has appointed Paul Verdile senior product manager for its Automotive Light Truck Heat Exchanger Business Unit. In this position Verdile will be responsible for all product development and strategic planning functions for product lines that include Ready-Rad radiators and Ready-Aire heater cores and air conditioning condensers. He will report to Layne Gobrogge, Transpro’s vice president of marketing and will be based in New Haven, Conn.
Yellow Roadway Expands Relationship with Michelin
Yellow Roadway Corp. has expanded its relationship with Michelin for new tires, retreads and service for the Yellow and Roadway fleets. Michelin said it expects Yellow Roadway will become one of its largest North American tire and retread customers. Michelin will supply more than half of the tires and retreads required to support the 450,000 consolidated wheel positions for Yellow Roadway.
Dan Daniel Talks about the Future of ArvinMeritor’s LVA Business
Dan Daniel, president of ArvinMeritor’s Light Vehicle Aftermarket (LVA) division, shared his predictions and plans for the future of ArvinMeritor’s LVA unit during an exclusive presentation on May 11 to Babcox editors and media representatives. ArvinMeritor is an $8 billion dollar company, with $850 million in annual sales at its Light Vehicle Aftermarket division, which Daniel leads. Two-thirds of the company’s business is in North America.
Beck/Arnley Opens Customer Care Centers
Beck/Arnley announced the opening of its sixth Customer Care Center, located in Dallas, Texas. Additional Customer Care Centers are located in Stockton, Calif., Los Angeles, Calif., Chicago, Ill., Harrisburg, Pa., and Miami, Fla. According to Max Dull, vice president and general manager of Beck/Arnley, the company has achieved its goal of launching six centers by early 2004.